GB2191813A

GB2191813A - Device for mounting at least one elongate member

Info

Publication number: GB2191813A
Application number: GB08712051A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Luc Klein
Original assignee: TRW Carr France SAS
Current assignee: TRW Carr France SAS
Priority date: 1986-06-06
Filing date: 1987-05-21
Publication date: 1987-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-21
Also published as: FR2599809B1; GB2191813B; DE3619093A1; ES2003823A6; SE465638B; GB8712051D0; SE8702358D0; DE3619093C2; NL8701271A; FR2599809A1; SE8702358L

Abstract

The device includes a retaining part 1 for an elongate member and a mounting part 2, which is snap- fittable into a like mounting part of a like device 10 such that the devices are relatively pivotably connected about a pivot axis extending through the mounting parts. During the assembly of one device 10 with another device 10' the cylinder head portion 11 of the device 10 is pushed into the passage 15' in the other device 10'; conversely, the cylindrical head portion 11' of the device 10' engages in the passage 15 in the device 10. In each case, the detent pins 23 and 23' are guided in the channels 21 and 21' and locate behind the spring fingers 22 and 22' to lock the two devices together. The devices may be pivoted through about 90 DEG relative to one another, pivotal movement being limited by the inclined neck portion 12 striking against inclined neck portion 12'. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for mounting at least one elongate member The invention relates to a device for mounting at least one elongate member, such as a tube.

More particularly the invention is concerned with such a device which is snap-fittable to another like or similar device such that the devices are relatively pivotable such that for example elongate members which cross-over may be mounted in the devices.

A construction is known from GB Patent Specification No. 1481309 wherein two such devices are snap-fittable together by means of a projection on one device formed as a flange-like head on a reduced diameter neck which is snap-fittable in a recess on the other device which recess has respective portions corresponding to the head and neck of the projection. The two devices can then be pivoted in relation to one another, for example if the elongate members to be mounted by the devices have to cross. It is a disadvantage in this known construction that two different forms of construction of the device are necessary, one with the projection and the other with the cooperating recess. The result is considerable expense of time and costs and complicated stocking.

Also known from German Patent Specification 2345843 is a cable clip wherein at least one pin consisting of a plurality of diameters is formed on one clip element which pin can snap into a sleeve-like member provided with corresponding formations of another cable clip. Again, two parts are necessary which have to supplement one another, these parts necessarily having different shapes in order to be able to cooperate with one another.

In constrast, it is the object of the present invention to provide a retaining element of the type mentioned at the beginning which is so constructed that the expenditure on time and costs as well as the stocking are reduced in a simple manner.

According to the invention there is provided a device for mounting at least one elongate member, said device having a retaining part for retaining an elongate member inserted therein and extending there-through, and at least one mounting part which is snap-fittable into a like mounting part of a like device such that the devices are relatively pivotable about a pivot axis extending through said mounting parts thereof.

Thus the above-mentioned problems are solved in that the mounting parts of two devices which are used to snap-fit the devices together are identical in construction. As a result of this constructively specially designed identity of the two mounting parts, there is a considerable reduction in time and costs as well as in stocking because now all the devices may be identical in construction.

The mounting part may comprise a flangelike cylindrical head portion with an adjacent neck portion of smaller diameter set back in relation to an insertion zone for the neck and head portion of the like mounting part of the like device. In this case, the neck portion may be inclined in relation to a longitudinal axis of the mounting part, the insertion zone being constructed in the form of a substantially inverted T-shaped recess on the longitudinal axis of the mounting part. Thus the head portion and the neck portion of one mounting part engages with the correspondingly shaped head portion and neck portion of the other mounting part with complete identity of the above-mentioned parts, while nevertheless a satisfactory locking is ensured with the simultaneous possibility of the devices being relatively pivotable.

In a further development of the invention, the transverse arm of the inverted T-shaped recess may be constructed in the form of a passage which extends over the whole extent of the retaining part of the device in the through direction thereof. In this case, the vertical arm of the inverted T-shaped recess may be defined by a web extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mounting part and by the oblique neck portion. The insertion zone between the transverse arm and the vertical arm of the inverted T-shaped recess may comprise a U-shaped boundary extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mounting part. The head and neck portion of another device can be inserted in this boundary.

The boundary may be wedge-shaped in cross-section, the wide portion of the wedge being adjacent to the transverse arm of the inverted T-shaped recess. Furthermore, the transverse arm may be made two-stepped in the insertion direction, the rear region in the insertion direction having, at least partially, a deeper step than the front region. A spring finger, or resilient projection may be disposed in the transition between the two regions, and the cylindrical head portion may be provided at the top thereof with a detent pin for cooperation with the spring finger of the like mounting part of a like device. Thus an operationally reliable locking of two devices cooperating with one another can be achieved by means of the spring finger of each device and the detent pin of the other device.

Furthermore, there is the possibility of at least two mounting parts being arranged spaced apart on a shell of the retaining part of the device.

In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a device for mounting an elongate member with a retaining part thereof in an open condition; Figure 2 shows a side view of the same device; Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of a mounting part of the device partly broken away; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the mounting part partly broken away; Figure 5 shows two mounting parts, illustrated in section and partly broken away, of two devices to be connected to one another, shortly before assembly; and Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 but shows the two mounting parts assembled together.

The device 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a retaining part, or region, 1 and a mounting part, or region, 2. The retaining region 1 is formed from an upper shell 3 and a lower shell 6. The upper shell 3 is connected to the lower shell 6 through lips 4 and 5. In the upper region, the upper shell 3 comprises a resilient web 7 as well as a locking means 8. The lower shell 6 comprises a cooperable locking means 9 on the right-hand side in Figure 1.

Now a tube, or other elongate member, can be inserted in the upper shell 3, the resilient web being pivoted in clockwise direction during insertion of the tube, but causing a reliable retaining of the tube, even if it has a relatively small diameter, because of its resilience. The upper shell 3 is now pivoted about the pivot point of the lip 4 into the lower shell 6, the lip 5 being torn off. In the closed position, the locking means 8 of the upper shell 3 snaps into the counter-locking means 9 of the lower shell 6 so that there is a closed retaining element 10 holding a tube not illustrated.

The lower shell 6 is provided with two mounting regions 2 angularly spaced apart.

Each mounting region 2 comprises a flangelike cylindrical head portion 11 and a neck portion 12. There is a gap 24 between head portion 11 and neck portion 12 as shown in Figure 3. A detent pin 23 is provided centrally on the top of the head portion 11.

Figure 5 shows that the neck portion 12 extends obliquely in relation to a longitudinal axis of the mounting region. Below the neck portion 12 there is an insertion zone 13 for the identically constructed neck and head region of another device 10. This insertion zone 13 is constructed generally in the form of an inverted T-shaped recess with a transverse arm 13 as shown in Figure 3 and a vertical arm. The transverse arm 14 of the insertion zone is in the form of a passage 15 which extends over the whole width of the shell 6.

The vertical arm of the inverted T-shaped recess is defined by a web 17 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mounting region 2 and by the inclined neck region 12. The web 17 forms the lower arm of a U-shaped boundary 18 as can be seen from Figures 2 and 4. The two opposite side walls of the U-shaped boundary are constructed in the form of a wedge 19 and are situated opposite one another.

It can be seen from Figures 3 and 5 that the passage 15 is of two-stepped construction, the rear region in the insertion direction having, at least partially, a deeper step 20 than the bottom of the passage 15. A spring finger 22 is disposed in the transition between the front and rear regions, as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, there is a channel 21 in the front region of the insertion zone 13. This channel 21 is substantially adapted to the depth of the detent pin 23 of the other retaining element.

From Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that provided below the head portion 11 is a shoulder 25 which changes over into a rib 26 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This rib 26 serves to strengthen the lower shell 6.

During the assembly of one device 10 with another device 10', illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 5 and 6, the cylindrical head portion 11 of the device 10 is pushed into the passage 15' in the other device 10'; conversely, the cylindrical head portion 11' of the device 10' engages in the passage 15 in the device 10. In each case, the detent pins 23 and 23' are guided in the channels 21 and 21' of the devices 10 and 10'.

In a further course of assembly, the respective detent pins locate behind the spring fingers 22 and 22' respectively, as illustrated in Figure 6 so that the locking of the devices 10, 10' is thus completed. As can be seen, the head portion 11 of the device 10 rests in the passage 15' of the device 10' and conversely the head portion 11' of the device 10' rests in the passage 15 of the device 10.

After assembly has been carried out, the device 10 can be turned, or pivoted, in relation to the device 10', up to about 900 to the one side or the other about a pivot axis extending through the interconnected mounting parts of like devices 10, 10', the movement being limited by the fact that the inclined neck portion 12 of the device 10 strikes against the inclined neck portion 12' of the device 10'. The gap 24 shown in Figure 3 is so formed that the web 17, the U-shaped boundary 18 and the wedge 19 of another device can rest in this gap 24.

Each device 10 or 10ft is provided with identically formed mounting regions 2.

Despite the identical formation of the mounting regions 2, it is possible to connect two retaining elements 10 and 10' to one another, while nevertheless, after this connection has been made, the possibility of pivoting through a maximum of 900 to left or to right is ensured. The whole device is formed of plastics material so that it is possible to release the connection by pressing down the spring fingers 22, 22' and to bring about dis mounting.

Claims

1. A device for mounting at least one elongate member said device having a retaining part for retaining an elongate member inserted therein and extending therethrough, and at least one mounting part which is snap-fittable into a like mounting part of a like device such that the devices are relatively pivotable about a pivot axis extending through said mounting parts thereof.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting part comprises a flange-like cylindrical head portion with an adjacent at least partly cylindrical neck portion of smaller diameter set back in relation to an insertion zone for the neck and head portions of the like mounting part of the like device.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the neck portion extends obliquely in relation to a longitudinal axis of the mounting part which extends transversely of said pivot axis.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the insertion zone comprises a substantially inverted T-shaped recess on said longitudinal axis of the mounting part.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transverse arm of the inverted T-shaped recess is constructed in the form of a passage which extends over the whole extent of the retaining part in the through direction thereof.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the vertical arm of the inverted T-shaped recess is defined by a web extending transversely to said longitudinal axis of the mounting part and by the oblique neck portion.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the insertion zone comprises a U-shaped boundary extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis of the mounting part between the transverse arm and the vertical arm of the inverted T-shaped recess.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the boundary is wedge-shaped in cross-section, the wide portion of the wedge being adjacent to the transverse arm of the inverted Tshaped recess.

9. A device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the transverse arm is twostepped in the insertion direction.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a rear region of the passage in the insertion direction comprises, at least partially, a deeper step than a front region thereof.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a resilient projection is disposed in the transition between the front and rear regions of the passage.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cylindrical head portion is provided at the top thereof with a detent pin for cooperating with a said resilient projection of a a like mounting part of a like device when said mounting parts are snap-fitted together.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two said mounting parts are arranged spaced apart from one another on a shell of the retaining part.

14. A device for mounting at least one elongate member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.