GB2148381A

GB2148381A - A resilient retaining clip

Info

Publication number: GB2148381A
Application number: GB08422926A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Konig; Josef Krappel; Emil Heldmaier
Original assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Current assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Priority date: 1983-09-14
Filing date: 1984-09-11
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: IT8422612A0; DE3333063A1; FR2551808B1; GB8422926D0; FR2551808A1; DE3333063C2; GB2148381B; IT1175696B

Abstract

A retaining clip having an approximately U-shaped section is proposed for fastening a covering element, preferably an interior lining element 12 of a bus. The clip is fastened to a support 1, which receives the roof covering on its top side, by way of retaining lips 8, 9 which project from the sides 6, 7 of the clip. At least a first retaining tongue 10 which receives an edge section 11 of the covering or lining element projects from the web 5 connecting the two sides 6, 7 of the clip. In addition, there is provided at least a second retaining tongue 14 which is arranged as a mirror image of and facing the first retaining tongue 10 and which is connected to the associated side 6 of the clip via an arm section 15 and which receives an outer area 13 of the lining element 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A resilient retaining clip having a generally Ushaped section The invention relates to a resilient retaining clip of generally U-shaped section.

A resilient retaining clip is known having an approximately U-shaped section and retaining lips which project from the upwardly extending sides of the section and by means of which fastening to a support receiving the retaining clip is effected, at least one spreadable retaining tongue, which serves to receive a plate-shaped edge section of a covering element, preferably an interior lining element of a bus, and which is made from the material of the retaining clip, projecting from the web which connects the sides of the clip section to one another.

It is the object of the invention, while retain ing the fastening principle of the known retaining clip, to further develop the said clip in such a manner that even a lining element having a ledge-shaped section can be received simply and with a reliable action.

According to the present invention there is provided a resilient retaining clip having a generally U-shaped section having two sides interconnected by a web and retaining lips which project from the said sides and by means of which, in use, the retaining clip is fastened to a support,a first retaining tongue integral with the clip, which serves to receive a plate lamina edge section of a covering element and which projects from said web and a second retaining tongue also integral with the clip which is connected to an associated one of the sides via an arm section, and its receiving or location gap which is adapted to receive an outer area of said lining element lying opposite said lamina edge section, extends as a mirror image of and facing the gap for the oppositely lying first retaining tongue.

A hold which is still secure after a long period of time, even in the event of strong vibrations, is achieved if the outer area of the lining element has, on its side facing the second retaining tongue, teeth in which at least a hook-shaped extension of the retaining tongue engages by locking when it encompasses the outer area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the second retaining tongue is supported on the outer area with pretensioning, and this retaining tongue is kept temporarily in a deflected position permitting the introduction of the lining element by a rod-shaped assembly aid which is inserted between the arm section of the retaining tongue and the associated side of the clip.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a stop which projects from the web interconnecting the two sides of the clip and against which the lining element introduced into the first retaining tongues bears when positioned, the second retaining tongue, when in the assembled position, projecting outwards over the closely lying side of the clip.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig 1 shows a plurality of retaining clips which are received by a tubular support of generally square cross section and serve to secure a lining element and end retaining angles of which are supported on the upper side of the support, Fig 2 shows a retaining clip according to Figure 1 in the position ready to receive the lining element, Fig. 3 shows the position of the retaining clip with the lining element having been secured, Fig 4 shows two retaining clips which, with their retaining angles, engage in oblong holes or slots made in the side walls of the supports, Fig5 shows a retaining clip according to Fig. 1 in the position ready to receive the lining element, and Fig 6 shows the position of the retaining clip with the lining element having been secured.

According to Figs. 1 to 3, a support 1 forms part of a roof supporting structure (not shown in detail) of a bus and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The support 1, which is connected to the roof 3 with an elastic intermediate lining 2 interposed therebetween, receives a plurality of retaining clips 4 made of resilient material and spaced at intervals from one another. Each clip has a generally U-shaped cross-section having two sides 6 and 7, which are interconnected by a web 5 at the lower end (as shown). At their upper ends the sides 6, 7, have retaining lips 8 and 9 which, while displacing the intermediate lining 2, partially encompass thereby to grip the support 1 on the upper side.

Projecting from the web 5 is a first retaining tongue 10 which is integral with the clip, i.e., is formed out of the material of the clip, and which is opened out resiliently upon the insertion of a lamina edge section 11 of an interior roof lining element 12 which is in the form of an extruded section. To secure an outer area 13 of the lining element 12 lying opposite the plate-shaped edge section 11, there is provided a second retaining tongue 14 which is connected to the side 6 of the clip section via an arm section 15 and is also integral with the clip. The receiving or location gap 16 (Fig. 3) of this second retaining tongue extends as a mirror image of and faces the gap for the first retaining tongue 10.

To receive the lining element 12 which is provided on the upper side with adhesive in an unshown manner, the second retaining tongue 14 is urged outwards and the assembly position is ensured by means of a rod-shaped assembly aid 17 inserted between the arm section 15 and the side 6 of the clip section until the lining element 12 has occupied the upper one of the position indicated in Fig. 2. The assembly operation is completed by drawing out the assembly aid 17, the second retaining tongue 14 automatically returning to the position - which can be seen particularly in Fig. 3 in which a hook-shaped extension 18 projecting from this retaining tongue grips the underside of the outer area 13 tightly with a locking action.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the lining element 12 constitutes a first hinge component with which a second hinge component 19 having a bowed are 20 cooperates. A wall element 21 of an air channel (not shown in detail) is connected to the end of this bowed area, it being possible for the wall element 21 to be pivoted after the release of locking means (not shown). Below the outer area 13 there is provided a locating flange 22 for a further roof lining element 23.

The embodiment according to Figs. 4 to 6 corresponds largely to the previously described embodiment so that like reference numbers are again used for like parts. One difference is that in this case, when the roof covering 3 is fastened to the support fli, the intermediate lining is compressed to a minimal size so that this lining is no longer indicated in the drawings. Fastening the retaining clips 4 by partial encompassing of the support 1 from above as in the first embodiment is therefore not possible. In order, however, to obtain a simple means of fastening, the support 1 is provided with oblong holes 23 in which the retaining lips 8 and 9 engage.

A further difference lies in the fact that each retaining clip 4 may have, as shown in the left hand example in Figure 4, two retaining tongues 10 and two further retaining tongues 14, the latter projecting outwards over each associated side 6 of the clip section when in the assembled position (Fig. 5) so that assembly aids can be omitted. Projecting from the web 5 is a stop 24 (Fig. 5) with which the outer area 13 comes into contact after the edge section 11 is introduced. In opposition to this effective resilient force each arm section 15 of the retaining tongues 14 is forced in the direction of the lining element 12, each hook-shaped extension 18 engaging with a locking action in a row of teeth in a toothing 25 which is produced on the underside of the outer area 13.

Claims

1. A resilient retaining clip having a generally U-shaped section having two sides interconnected by a web and retaining lips which project from the said sides and by means of which, in use, the retaining clip is fastened to a support, a first retaining tongue integral with the clip, which serves to receive a lamina edge section of a covering element and which projects from said web, and a second retaining tongue also integral with the clip which is connected to an associated one of the sides via an arm section, and its receiving or location gap, which is adapted to receive an outer area of said lining element lying opposite said lamina edge section, extends as a mirror image of and facing the gap for the oppositely lying first retaining tongue.

2. A retaining clip according to claim 1, wherein the outer area of the lining element has, on its side facing the second retaining tongue, teeth in which at least a hook-shaped extension of the retaining tongue engages by locking when it extends around and encompasses the outer area.

3. A retaining clip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second retaining tongue is supported on the outer area by pretensioning, and that this second retaining tongue is kept temporarily in a deflected position permitting the introduction of the lining element by a rod-shaped assembly aid which is inserted between the arm section of the retaining tongue and the associated side of the clip.

4. A retaining clip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there is provided a stop which projects from the web interconnecting the two sides of the clip and against which stop the lining element, when introduced into the first retaining tongue bears when positioned, so that, when in the assembly position, the second retaining tongue projects outwards over the closely lying side of the clip.

5. A resilient retaining clip for an interior roof lining of a bus, substantiaily as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.