GB2145147A

GB2145147A - Fastener for elongate articles

Info

Publication number: GB2145147A
Application number: GB08412627A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Willi Kraus
Original assignee: United Carr GmbH
Current assignee: United Carr GmbH
Priority date: 1983-05-17
Filing date: 1984-05-17
Publication date: 1985-03-20
Also published as: GB2145147B; FR2546261B1; GB8412627D0; FR2546261A1; DE3317933C2; DE3317933A1

Abstract

A fastener for attaching at least one elongate article to a support comprising a mounting section adapted for attachment to the support and at least one retaining section for gripping the elongate article wherein the or each retaining section comprises first 18 and second 20 arcuate resilient inner arms of different sizes, the first arm 18 being smaller than the second arm 20, and a relatively rigid outer arm 16 which surrounds the first and second arms to protect these arms and to limit outward deformation of the arms during insertion or withdrawal of the elongate element, wherein the first and second arms are aligned generally coaxially along the length of the elongate article and the first arm is resiliently deformable to allow an elongate article of relatively large diameter to be retained in the second arm. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fastener for an Elongate Article The invention relates to a fastener for retaining at least one elongate article, for example, a petrol line or a brake-pipe, on a motor vehicle, comprising a mounting section and at least one retaining section for gripping the elongate article.

British Patent No. 2079360 discloses a retaining element of this type in which the retaining section comprises a resilient expansible inner clamp for gripping the elongate article and a relatively rigid outer clamp which is spaced from and surrounds the inner clamp. The outer clamp serves to protect the inner clamp and to limit its deformation during insertion or withdrawal of an elongate article. The expansibility of the inner clamp means that elongate articles of different diameters can be held by the fastener.

British Patent No. 2000545 discloses a fastener in which two opposed c-shaped sections co-operate to retain elongate articles of differing diameter.

In both the known fasteners discussed above, only a rather limited range of diameters can be accommodated in the fastener.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener for an elongate article which is able to accommodate elongate articles over a wider range of diameters than has hitherto been possible and in a simple and convenient manner.

The present invention provides a fastener for attaching at least one elongate article to a support comprising a mounting section adapted for attachment to the support and at least one retaining section for gripping the elongate article wherein the or each retaining section comprises first and second arcuate resilient inner arms of different sizes, the first arm being smaller than the second arm, and a relatively rigid outer arm which surrounds the first and second arms to protect these arms and to limit outward deformation of the arms during insertion or withdrawal of the elongate article, wherein the first and second arms are aligned generally coaxially along the length of the elongate article and the first arm is resiliently deformable to allow an elongate article of relatively large diameter to be retained in the second arm.

For the purposes of this specification references to arms being aligned generally coaxially are intended to cover all arrangements of two or more arms wherein the arms are aligned sufficiently so that an elonate article can be held in all the arms at the same time and is not limited to the centre points of the circles defined by the arms being coincident.

A fastener according to the present invention has the advantage that the first and second arms of different size are, in combination, able to accommodate elongate articles having diameters falling within a relatively large range. The first arm is operable to retain an elongate article of relatively small diameter and is resiliently deformable to allow elongate articles of larger diameters to be retained in the second arm.

Optionally, the second arm surrounds the first arm. In this case an elongate article of relatively large diameter can be inserted so as resiliently to deform the first arm and to cause it to press against the second arm to permit the elongate article to be accommodated. In a particular embodiment, the first arm co-operates with the second arm to hold an elongate element of relatively small diameter. The first arm may, for example, extend through approximately 1200.

In another embodiment, the second arm is axially spaced relative to the first arm. In this case an elongate article of relatively large diameter may be accommodated by inserting the article so as resiliently to deform the first arm until the article comes into contact with the second arm and is then held independently by both arms.

Preferably, the first arm has an arcuate axially extending support portion which overlies the second arm. The presence of this feature ensures that an increased length of the elongate article is supported during insertion and retention and reduces the likelihood of bending of the elongate article during insertion. The support portion may be of narrow thickness relative to the thickness of the first arm.

In a particular embodiment the or each retaining section comprises a third arcuate resilient inner arm similar to and axially spaced from the second arm wherein the first arm is positioned between the second arm and the third arm and is resiliently deflectable into the gap between the second arm and the third arm. An advantage of this feature is that elongate articles of relatively large diameter are gripped over a greater portion of their length and can more easily be fitted due to the deflectability of the first arm into the gap between the second arm and the third arm. Preferably, the first arm has an arcuate axially extending support portion overlying both the second arm and the third arm and the support portion is of relatively narrow thickness compared with the first arm and is flush with a retaining surface of the first arm.The support portion serves to provide support over a greater length of the elongate article during insertion and retention and is positioned so as to allow some deflection of the first arm into the gap between the second arm and the third arm.

Optionally, the outer arm has a slot aligned with the first arm. This feature has manufacturing advantages in that the amount of material in the fastener is reduced.

Preferably, the mounting section is provided with a bearing surface configured to co-operate with the outer arm to define a lead-in guideway for an elongate article. This feature facilitates insertion of an elongate article into the fastener.

In a particular embodiment, the outer arm comprises a lip forming part of the guideway.

In embodiments where the first arm is surrounded by the second arm there is an advantage in forming the first arm without any lips or protrusions so that it can be pressed snuggly against the interior surface of the second arm during insertion of an elongate article of relatively large diameter. Alternatively, one or more of the inner arms is provided with a nose directed towards the interior of the outer arm. The or each nose may be configured to co-operate with an inturned lip on the outer arm to inhibit removal of an elongate article from the fastener.

Also, the or each nose may be configured to facilitate insertion of an elongate article by acting as a guide. Furthermore, the or each nose is configured to co-operate with the interior of the outer arm to limit deformation of the respective inner arm.

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of part of a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 and Figure 3 are a side view and a top plan view respectively of part of a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 4-6 are a bottom plan, a side and a top plan view respectively of a part of a fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figures 7 and 8 are a side and a top plan view respectively of a part of a fastener according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a plastics fastener indicated generally at 10 comprises a mounting section 12 (extending to the left of the chain dotted line) of any suitable type for mounting the fastener 10 on a support The mounting section 12 may comprise, for example, a nose form for securement in a panel aperture or may comprise a ribbed bore adapted for mounting on a stud. The fastener 10 also comprises a retaining section 14 having a relatively rigid outer arm 16 and first and second inner arms 18 and 20 respectively. The arms 1 6. 18 and 20, are all of the same width and are aligned widthways.

The outer arm 16 is arcuate and generally rigid and surrounds the inner arms 18 and 20 terminating in an inturned lip 22. The first and second arms 18 and 20 are aligned generally coaxially. The first arm 18 is arcuate and resiliently deformable and extends from an upper part of the mounting section 12 about approximately 1800 and terminates in a plain end 21. The second arm 20 is also arcuate and resiliently deformable and surrounds the first arm 18. The second arm 20 terminates in an outturned nose 24 lying a short distance beneath the lip 22 of the outer arm 1 6.

The mounting section 12 is provided with a sloping surface 26 which co-operates with the exterior surface of the lip 22 to provide a lead-in guideway for an elongate article being inserted into the fastener 10. A free end 27 of the lip 22 and a shoulder 28 adjacent the surface 26 define a a mouth 29 through which an elongate article may be inserted into the retaining section.

In use, an elongate article is inserted into the retaining section 14 by placing the surface of the article against the lip 22 and the surface 26 and pushing downwardly. The outer arm 16 flexes outwardly to an extent dependent upon the diameter of the elongate article to allow the elongate article to slide downwardly along the surface 26 of the mounting section 12. The surface of the elonate article then comes into contact with the inner surface of the free end of the second arm 20 and further downward pushing causes outward flexing of the second arm to an extent dependent upon the diameter of the elongate article. The elongate article is received and held between the first arm 18 and the portion of the second arm 20 opposite the first arm 18.If the elongate article is of relatively small diameter, the first arm 18 and the second arm 20 will resile after insertion and retain the article whilst remaining substantially in the positions shown in Figure 1. If the elongate article is of relatively large diameter, the first arm 18 will be deflected downwardly and outwardly towards the second arm 20 until it abuts the second arm 20 and causes the right hand side of the first arm 20 to be deflected outwardly until it abuts the inner surface of the outer arm 16. In this condition, the nose 24 abuts the inner surface of the outer arm 1 6 and inhibits any further expansion of the mouth 29 thus inhibiting removal of the elongate article.

If it is desired to remove the elongate article, it is pulled upwardly thereby causing the right hand portion of the second arm 20 to deflect outwardly and upwardly and to engage the underside of the lip 22. Thus inhibiting outward flexing of the second arm 20 and guarding against accidental removal. Further pulling causes the arm 20 and the outer arm 16 together to flex outwardly to permit removal of the elongate article.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a plastics fastener indicated generally at 30 comprises a mounting section 32 of any suitable form for attaching the fastener 30 to a support and a retaining section 34 comprising a relatively rigid outer arm 35 and first, second and third resilient inner arms 38. 40 and 42 respectively. The dotted lines indicated in the mounting section 32 in Figure 1 represent internal cavities in the material of the fastener 30.

These are present to separate the arms 38, 40 and 42 thereby to render them independently flexible and also have advantages regarding manufacture.

From Figure 3, it can be seen that the inner arms 40 and 42 are identical and lie one on each side of the first arm 38, all the inner arms being aligned generally coaxially. The first arm 38 is disposed between the second and third arms 40 and 42 and is positioned centrally of the width of the retaining section 34.

The outer arm 35 is generally arcuate and terminates in an inwardly inclined lip 37 extending the full width of the retaining section 34. A rectangular slot 36 is formed centrally of the outer arm 35 and underlying the first arm 38.

The arms 40 and 42 are both arcuate and resiliently deformable and terminate in an outturned nose 44.

The first arm 38 also terminates in an outturned nose 46 and is generally co-extensive with the second and third arms 40 and 42.

The mounting section 32 has a sloping surface 47 for guiding the insertion of an elongate article into the retaining section 34. A shoulder 48 adjacent the surface 47 together with the noses 44 and 46 define a mouth 49 through which an elongate article may be inserted into the retaining section 34.

An elongate article is inserted into the retaining section 34 by placing the surface of the article in contact with the surface 47 and the lip 37 and pushing downwardly causing the outer arm 35 to flex outwardly. The lower surface of the article then comes into contact with the upper surface of the nose 46 on the first arm 38 which acts as a guide during insertion and the resilience of the outer arm 35 means that the lip 37 acts to urge the article sidewardly and downwardly through the mouth 49. Further downward pushing deflects the first arm 38 outwardly into the gap between the second and third arms 40 and 42.

The lower surface of the elongate article than makes contact with the noses 44 on the second and third arms 40 and 42 which also act as guides and further downward pushing causes outward deflection of the second and third arms until the elongate article passes through the mouth 49 to be held in the first arm 38.

In the case of an elongate article of relatively small diameter, the inner arms 38, 40 and 42 resile after insertion and the article is held in the first arm 38 and the inner arms 38, 40 and 42 occupy substantially the positions shown in Figure 2. Retention of elongate articles of larger diameter causes the first arm 38 to flex outwardly into the gap between the second and third arms 40 and 42 and articles of sufficiently large diameter cause the first arm 38 to flex outwardly far enough through the gap between the second and third arms 40 and 42 so that the article is held by the arms 40 and 42.The arms 38, 40 and 42 are resiliently flexible and, when accommodating an elongate element of the largest possible diameter, flex outwardly towards the inner surface of the outer arm 35 until the noses 44 on the arms 40 and 42 abut the outer arm 35 underneath the lip 37 to prevent further outward flexing of the arms 40 and 42.

An elongate article held in the retaining section 34 can be removed by pulling the article upwardly and outwardly through the mouth 49. The inner arms 38, 40 and 42 flex outwardly to allow the passage of the elongate article through the mouth 49. In the case of an elongate article of particularly large diameter, the abutment of the noses 44 against the interior of the outer arm 35 inhibits removal. Once the elongate article has passed through the mouth 49, further upward pulling causes the outer arm 35 to flex outwardly to allow removal of the article.

Referring now to Figures 4-6, a plastics fastener indicated generally at 50 has a mounting section 51 of any type suitable for attaching the fastener 50 to a support and a retaining section 52. The dotted lines shown in Figure 5 indicate cavities within the fastener 50 which separate the retaining arms thus rendering them independently flexible. The retaining section 52 is somewhat similar to the retaining section 34 of the fastener 30 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 in that it comprises an first inner arm 54 disposed within the gap between two similar second and third inner arms 56 and 58, the inner arms being surrounded by a generally rigid outer arm 60. In addition, the first arm 54 comprises an arcuate, transversely extending support portion 62 which extends the full width of the retaining section 52.

The support portion 62 is formed integrally with the first arm 54 and follows the contour of the first arm 54 and is of a thickness roughly half that of the first arm 54. The uppermost surface of the support portion 62 is flush with the interior surface of the first arm 54.

The outer arm 60 terminates in an inwardly inclined lip 64. The outer arm 60 has a rectangular slot 66 (see Figure 4) underlying the first arm 54. The second arm 56 and the third arm 58 both terminate in an out-turned nose 68 adjacent the lip 64. The free end of the first arm 54 is plain.

The mounting section 51 has an inclined surface 70 which terminates in a shoulder 72 which, together with the free end of the first arm 54 forms a mouth 74 through which an elongate article can be inserted into the retaining section 52. The surface 70 together with the free end of the outer arm 60 form a guiding lead-in during insertion of an elongate article.

Figure 5 shows the difference d in position between the centre c, of the circle, radius rr, defined by the first arm 54 and the centre c2 of the circle, radius r2, defined by the second and third arms 56 and 58.

During insertion of an elongate article into the retaining section 52 the lip 64 of the outer arm 60 is outwardly deflectable to allow insertion and the interior sloping surfaces of the noses 68 on the second and third arms 56 and 58 act as guides to facilitate insertion.

In use, the retaining section 52 of the fastener 50 performs in a similar manner to the retaining section 34 of the fastener 30 shown in Figures 2 and 3. The main difference is that, during retention, the support portion 62 provides support over the same length of an elongate article of relatively small diameter held in the first arm 54 as of an elongate article of relatively large diameter held in the arms 56 and 58. For an elongate article of larger diameter, the support portion 62 provides additional support during insertion.

An elongate article is inserted into the retaining section 52 by placing the surface of the article in contact with the surface 70 and the lip 64 and pushing downwardly causing the outer arm 60 to flex outwardly. The lower surface of the article then comes into contact with the first arm 54 and further downward pushing deflects the first arm 54 outwardly into the gap between the second and third arms 56 and 58. The upper surface of the noses 68 on the second and third arms 56 and 58 acts as guides during insertion and the resilience of the outer arm 60 causes the lip 64 to urge the article through the mouth 74. For an elongate article of relatively small diameter, that is, of diameter approximately equal 2r,, once the! article has passed through the mouth 74 the inner arms resile to their original shapes and the elongate article is held in the first arm 54.

During insertion of an article of relatively large diameter, that is, of diameter 2r2 or more, the first arm 54 is deflected into the gap between the second and third arms 56 and 58 until the lower surface of the support portion 62 contacts the upper surface of the second and third arms 56 and 58. Depending on the diameter of the elongate article, the second and third arms 56 and 58 may be flexed outwardly until they contact the interior surface of the outer arm 60. Outward deformation of the second and third arms 56 and 58 is limited by abutment of the noses 68 on these arms against the interior surface of the outer arm 60.

If it is desired to remove an elongate article from the fastener 50, the article is pulled diagonally upwardly through the mouth 74 causing the inner arms 54, 56 and 58 to deflect outwardly and subsequently causes outward flexing of the outer arm 60 before being completely removed from the fastener 50.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 a plastics fastener indicated generally at 80 comprises a mounting section 82 and a retaining section 84.

The mounting section 82 is of any type suitable for enabling the fastener 80 to be secured to a support.

The retaining section 84 comprises a relatively rigid outer arm 86 extending the full width of the retaining section 84 and surrounding two inner arms, a first arm 88 and a second arm 90. The first arm 88 is spaced laterally from and smaller than the second arm 90 with a gap 92 therebetween. The gap 92 overlies a slot 94 formed in the outer arm 86. The dotted lines in Figure 7 indicate the cavities in the retaining section 84 and these are present to separate the arms 88 and 90 thereby to render them independently flexible.

The first arm 88 extends from the top of the mounting section 82 around approximately 2700 and is a plain arm having no protrusions. The second arm 90 extends from a lower part of the mounting section 82 around slightly less than 1 800 and terminates in an out-turned nose 96.

The first arm 88 and the second arm 90 are aligned generally co-axially as can be seen from Figure 7. The outer arm 86 terminates in an inturned lip 98.

The mounting portion 52 comprises an inclined surface 100 terminating in a shoulder 102. The surface 100 and the interior surface of the lip 98 form a lead-in guideway for an elongate article during insertion. The shoulder 102 together with the free ends of the first and second arms 88 and 90 define a mouth 104 for insertion of an article.

The nose 96 on the second arm 90 also acts as a guide during insertion of an elongate article and the lip 98 on the outer arm 86 helps urge the article through the mouth 104 due to the resilience of the outer arm 86.

In use, the first arm 88 is operable to retain elongate articles of relatively small diameter and is resiliently deformable to allow articles of larger diameter to be retained in the second arm 90.

Insertion of a larger diameter article causes the free end of the first arm 88 to deflect outwardly and downwardly and it becomes more exactly aligned with the contour of the second arm 90.

Elongate articles of even larger diameter can be accommodated by further flexing of the first arm 88 and flexing of the second arm 90 until the nose 96 abuts the interior of the outer arm 86 to prevent further deformation. In this situation, the abutment of the nose 96 against the outer arm 86 makes withdrawal of the elongate article through the mouth 104 more difficult.

It can be seen that a fastener according to the present invention enables elongate articles over a range of diameters to be retained in a simple manner and with ease of insertion of the article. A typical range of diameters which a fastener can accommodate is from 5 mm to 10 mm. In the case where the invention is used in a fastener for attaching pipes to the underside of a motor vehicle, the outer arm is operable to protect the inner arms from the impact of flying stones and also acts to limit the outward deformation of the inner arms. Where total protection from flying stones is desirable, the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 is preferable because, in that embodiment, the outer arm shields completely the two inner arms.

The various embodiments described in the present specification illustrate different arrangements of the inner arms although in all the embodiments the inner arms are aligned generally co-axially the smallest inner arm being deformable to allow a larger diameter article to be retained in the larger inner arm or arms. The exact shape and the extent of the arms can also be varied according to requirements and different configurations of surfaces may be provided to provide lead-in guideways for an article during insertion.

It is envisaged that three or more inner arms of different sizes may be provided to allow an even wider range of diameters to be covered and it is also envisaged to provide a mixture of inner arms, some of which surround another and others of which are relatively laterally displaced.

Claims

1. A fastener for attaching at least one elongate article to a support comprising a mounting section adapted for attachment to the support and at least one retaining section for gripping the elongate article wherein the or each retaining section comprises first and second arcuate resilient inner arms of different sizes, the first arm being smaller than the second arm, and a relatively rigid outer arm which surrounds the first and second arms to protect these arms and to limit outward deformation of the arms during insertion or withdrawal of the elongate element, wherein the first and second arms are aligned generally coaxially along the length of the elongate article and the first arm is resiliently deformable to allow an elongate article of relatively large diameter to be retained in the second arm.

2. A fastener according to Claim 1 wherein the second arm surrounds the first arm.

3. A fastener according to Claim 2 wherein the first arm co-operates with the second arm to hold an elongate element of relatively small diameter.

4. A fastener according to Claim 3 wherein the first arms extend through approximately 1200.

5. A fastener according to Claim 3 wherein the first arm extends through approximately 1800.

6. A fastener according to Claim 1 wherein the second arm is axially spaced relative to the first arm.

7. A fastener according to Claim 6 wherein the first arm has an arcuate axially extending support portion which overlies the second arm.

8. A fastener according to Claim 7 wherein the support portion is of narrow thickness relative to the thickness of the first arm.

9. A fastener according to any of Claims 6-8 wherein the or each retaining section comprises a third arcuate resilient inner arm similar to and axially spaced from the second arm wherein the first arm is positioned between the second arm and the third arm and is resiliently deflectable into the gap between the second arm and the third arm.

10. A fastener according to Claim 9 wherein the first arm has an arcuate axially extending support portion overlying both the second arm and the third arm and wherein the support portion is of relatively narrow thickness compared with the first arm and is flush with a retaining surface of the first arm.

11. A fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm and the second arm are generally co-extensive.

12. A fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm extends in an opposite direction to the second arm.

13. A fastener according to any preceding claim comprising three or more curved resilient arms of different sizes and aligned generally coaxially.

14. A fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the outer arm has a slot aligned with the first arm.

15. fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the mounting section is provided with a bearing surface configured to co-operate with the outer arm to define a lead-in guideway for an elongate article.

16. A fastener according to Claim 15 wherein the outer arm comprises a lip forming part of the guideway.

1 7. A fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm is formed without any protrusions.

18. A fastener according to any of Claims 1 - 1 6 wherein one or more of the inner arms is provided with a nose directed towards the interior of the outer arm.

1 9. A fastener according to Claim 18 wherein the or each nose is configured to co-operate with an inturned lip on the outer arm to inhibit removal of an elongate article.

20. A fastener according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 wherein the or each nose is configured to facilitate insertion of an elongate article.

21. A fastener according to any of Claims 1 820 wherein the or each nose is configured to cooperate with the interior of the outer arm to limit deformation of the respective inner arm.

22. A fastener substantially as herein described and with reference to Figure 1, Figures 2 and 3, Figures 4-6, or Figures 6 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.