GB2235239A

GB2235239A - Clamped fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2235239A
Application number: GB8918522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Leonard Williams
Original assignee: Cannon Rubber Ltd
Current assignee: Avent Ltd
Priority date: 1989-08-14
Filing date: 1989-08-14
Publication date: 1991-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-14
Also published as: GB8918522D0; GB2235239B

Abstract

A fastener 10 for use in fastening a mud flap 66 to a flange 62 comprises a member shown as a spring clip 12 which is clippable to the flange 62 and which comprises a first part 16 of a fastening means. A spring clamp 14 is fittable over the clip for clamping the clip on the flange. A second part of the fastening means, shown as a push button fastener 18 is secured to the stud for retaining the mud flap on the fastening means. In an alternative (Fig. 10) a rivet 64 may engage tines surrounding an aperture in the clip 12. <IMAGE>

Description

FASTENER FOR FASTENING BODY TO A FLANGE This invention relates to a fastener for use in fastening a body to a flange. It is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to a fastener for fastening a mud flap to the flange of a vehicle.

A fastener for use in fastening a mud flap to a vehicle flange, which avoids the need for drilling the flange is known which comprises a U-shaped spring clamp which is slidable onto the flange and which has a projecting stud extending from one of its two arms to which a retaining button is push-fitted after the mud flap has been fitted over the stud. The resilience of the U-shaped clamp provides the total gripping force for maintaining the fastener on the flange. Accordingly it is necessary to overcome this resilience when fitting the clamp to the flange and it is difficult to avoid scratching the surface treatment of the flange during fitting thus giving rise to potential rust locations, particularly when sharp tangs are provided on the clamp for assisting its retention on the flange.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fastener for use in fastening a body to a flange which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.

The invention includes a fastener for use in fastening a body to a flange, comprising a member locatable on the flange and provided with part of a fastening means, clamping means for clamping the member on the flange, and a second part of said fastening means securable to said first part thereof and comprising a retaining means for retaining a body on said fastening means when said second part is secured to said first part.

The invention also includes a mud flap fastened to a flange of a vehicle with a plurality of fasteners as defined in the last preceding paragraph.

The invention also includes a method of fastening a mud flap to a flange of a vehicle with a plurality of fasteners as defined in the last but one preceding paragraph, comprising the steps of locating the members of the fasteners on the flange at spaced apart positions along the length of the flange, fitting the clamping means over the members to clamp the members in said positions, and securing the second part of the fastening means of each fastener to the first part thereof with one of said parts extending through the aperture in the mud flap such that the retaining means retaing the mud flap on the fastening means.

The first part of the fastening means of the fastener may comprise projection means arranged to extend outwardly from a side surface of the flange when said member is clamped thereon by said clamping means, and said retaining means is securable to said projection means for retaining a body fitted over the projection means. In one embodiment the projection means comprises a stud, and in this embodiment the retaining means comprises a push button fastener push fittable onto the stud.

As an alternative, the second part of the fastening means may comprise projection means extending from said retaining means, and said first part of said fastening means comprises means for securably engaging the projection means. In one embodiment said projection means somprises a stud and said retaining means comprises a head provided on the stud. In this embodiment the first part of the fastening means comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged segments of said member arranged to define an aperture therein.

In the illustrated embodiments the member is a spring clip which is clippable to said flange.

The spring clip is preferably provided with retention tooth means for engaging the flange and resisting withdrawal of the clip from the flange when the clamp is fitted over the clip.

The clip in the embodiments of the invention comprises a piece of resilient metal strip bent into a generally U-shaped configuration with two opposed arm means said retention tooth means comprising tangs cut out of said one arm means at the free end thereof and bent towards the other arm means.

Preferably a cutout is provided at the junction between said opposed arm means of the clip.

In the illustrated embodiments, the clamping means comprises a single spring clamp fittable over said clip for clamping the clip on the flange. The clamp in the embodiment comprises a piece of resilient metal strip bent into a generally U-shaped configuration with two opposed arm means one of which is provided with an aperture between two side portions for extending one on each side of the fastening means when the second part thereof is secured to the first part thereof.

Preferably the clamp is provided with detent means engagable in cutouts in the clip. In the embodiment these detent means comprises a V-shaped part of each of said side portions of said one arm means of the clamp, one limb of each V-shaped part engaging a respective one of the tangs of the clip when the clamp is fitted over the clip.

In order that the invention may be well understood, the above-mentioned embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is side view of a fastener fastening a mud flap to a flange of a vehicle, the mud flap and flange being shown in fragmentary cross-section; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively side, top plan and bottom plan views of a clip of the fastener; Figures 5, 6 and 7 are respectively side, top plan and bottom plan views of a clamp of the fastener; Figures 8 and 9 are respectively side and bottoms plan views of a push button fastener of the fastener; and Figure 10 is a side view similar to Figure 1 of an alternative fastener.

The fastener 10 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a spring clip 12, a spring clamp 14 which is fittable over the clip. The clip is provided with a first part of a fastening means of the fastener. This first part comprises a projection means shown as a stud 16 which projects from the clip. The fastener also comprises a second part of the fastening means which comprises a retaining means, shown as a push button fastener which is securable to the stud.

As best shown in Figures 2 to 4, the clip 12 comprises a piece of resilient metal strip bent into a generally U-shaped configuration with two opposed arm means 20, 22. The arm means 20, forms a member of the clip from which the stud 16 projects. Whilst the stud may be secured to the clip in any convenient manner, as illustrated, it is secured to the arm 20 by engagement of a shank portion 24 thereof by the free end portions of a plurality of circumferentially arranged segments 26 of the arm 20 which are bent away from the arm 22 to form a frusto-conical recess in which there is located a frusto-conical head 28 of the stud. The arm 22 is provided with an aperture 30 which enables the stud to be inserted through the opening defined by the free ends of the segments 26.

As illustrated, the aperture 30 extends to a cutout 32 provided at the junction 32 between the arms 20 and 22. The clip is provided with retention tooth means shown as tangs 34 cut out of the arm 20 at the free end 36 thereof and bent towards the arm 22 as best shown in Figure 2. As illustrated, a respective tang 34 is provided on each side of the arm 20 and a cutout 38 is provided inwardly of each tang.

The resilience of the clip 12 is such that the arms 20 and 22 may be readily separated to enable the clip to be fitted over the edge of a flange such that the sharp edges of the tangs either do not engage the flange or engage it only lightly and so that the clipping force exerted by the clip allows the position of the clip to be adjusted on the flange. This is achieved in the embodiment by making the clip from sheet metal of relatively thin gauge and by providing the cutout 32 at the junction between the arms 20 and 22. However, it is to be understood that these are only examples of the measures which may be taken in order to provide the clip with the desired amount of clipping force.

As best shown in Figures 5 to 7, the clamp 14 comprises a piece of resilient metal strip bent into a generally U-shaped configuration with two opposed arms 40, 42. The arm 40 is bifurcated to provide a recess aperture 44 between two side portions 46 of the arm to allow the clamp 14 to be slidably fitted over the clip with the side portions extending one of each side of the stud 16. The recess 44 terminates inwardly with a frusto-conical portion 48 adapted to receive the frusto-conical arrangement of the sectors 26 of the clip.

The arm 42 of the clamp is planar to allow fitting in small gaps, but the arm 40 is provided with detent means 50 engagable in the cutout 38 of the clip. The detent means 50 comprise a V-shaped part of each of the side portions 46 of the arm 40 of the clamp. One limb 52 of each V-shaped part is adapted to engage a respective one of the tangs 34 when the clamp is fitted over the clip.

The push button fastener 18, as best shown in Figures 8 and 9 is hollow, and comprises a dome-shaped cap 54 disposed over a base 56. The base 56 is provided with a central aperture 58 defined by a plurality of circumferentially arranged segments 60, which extend inwardly towards the cap 54. The push button 18 is adapted to firmly fit onto the stud 16 when the aperture 58 is aligned with the protruding end of the stud 16 and the push button is firmly pressed onto the stud. The free ends of the segments 60 engage the stud to prevent withdrawal of the push button therefrom.

Referring now, in particular to Figure 1, the fastening of a mud flap to a flange of a vehicle with a plurality of fasteners 10 will now be described.

Firstly, the clips 12 of the fasteners are clipped to a flange 62 of the vehicle such that the studs 16 secured to the clips extend outwardly from one side surface of the flange. As stated previously, the arms 20, 22 of the clip 12 may be flexed apart during the location of the clips on the flange to avoid any damage to the surface treatment of the flange by the tangs 34. The initial positions of the clips along the length of the flange is not crucial since the clipping force of clips on the flange is such that the positions of the clips may be readily adjusted after they have been fitted to the flange so that the studs secured to the clips are aligned with respective apertures 64 provided in the mud flap 66. The apertures can be preformed in the mud flap, but alternatively they may be made at the time of fitting the mud flap to the flange.When the clips are in their selected positions, a respective clamp 14 is fitted over each clip to clamp the clip in that selected position. The resilient force exerted by the arms 40, 42 of each clamp 14 is far greater than that of the clip 12 over which it is fitted for example because the clamp is made of a thicker gauge sheet material and has no cutout corresponding to cutout 32 at the junction between its arms 40 and 42. The clamp 14 engages only the clip 12 when it is fitted over the clip and therefore cannot cause any damage to the surface finish of the flange. The clamp urges the tangs 34 of the clip into engagement with the flange by virtue of the contact of the tangs by the V-shaped parts 50 of the clamp.Furthermore, since these Vshaped detent parts extend into the cutouts 38 in the clip the clamp is positively located relative to the clip so that it will not disengage therefrom for example due to vibration. After the clips have been clamped in their selected positions by the clamps, the mud flap is fitted over the studs 16, the latter projecting through the apertures 64 provided in the mud flap and a push button is secured to each stud 16, such that the push buttons retain the mud flap on the studs.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown an alternative fastener 100 which is generally similar to the fastener 10 above described and corresponding parts have been given the same reference numerals increased by 100. Thus, the fastener 100 comprises a spring clip 112 and a spring clamp 114 which is fittable over the clip to clamp it to the flange 62.

The clip 112 is provided with a first part of a fastening means of the fastener. This first part comprises means for securably engaging projection means extending from retaining means of a second part of the fastening means. More specifically, the first part of the fastening means comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged segments 116 of the arm 120 of the clip 112 arranged to define an aperture in that arm. The segments 116 correspond to the segments 26 of the arm 20 of the clip 12 but are oppositely directed - i.e. they are directed towards the other arm 122 of the clip. The second part of the fastening means comprises a stud 118A which projects from a head 118B. As will be appreciated, the stud is pushed into the aperture in the clip through an aperture 64 in the mud flap 66 such that the head 118B retains the mud flap on the fastening means of the fastener.

It will be appreciated that in each embodiment the fastener comprises a fastening means having two parts, one of which comprises a projection means, shown as a stud, and the clip is either provided with the stud or the stud is securable to the clip. In the first case the retaining means of the fastening means is securable to the stud and in the second case the retaining means is integral with the stud.

It will be understood that the arm 140 of the clamp 114 does not need to be bifurcated to provide a recess to allow the clamp to be slidably fitted over the clip since there is no projection from the clip.

Thus, the arm 140 may alternatively be provided with an aperture between two side portions, the aperture allowing the stud 118A to be push fitted into the aperture in the clip defined by the segments 116 and the side portions of the arm 140 extending one on each side of the stud 118A when the stud has been push fitted to the aperture in the clip.

It is to be understood that in both fasteners separate clamps may be provided, one to each side of the stud 16, 118A or alternatively a single clamp may be provided having an arm corresponding to the arms 20, 120 in the illustrated embodiments which does not extend on each side of the stud 16, 118A but instead terminates short of it.

It is also to be understood that whilst the illustrated fasteners comprise a clip 12, 112 which is clippable to the flange, the fasteners may comprise other members locatable on the flange and provided with part of the fastening means of the fastener.

Whilst the fastening means of each of the illustrated fasteners are of the push-fit type it is to be understood that they may alternatively be of the screw threaded type. Furthermore, whilst the preferred embodiments are disclosed in connection with the fastening of a mud flap to the flange of a vehicle, it will be readily understood that the fasteners may be used to fasten any body to any flange, with suitable adaptions made to accommodate the flange and body configurations.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A fastener for use in fastening a body to a flange, comprising a member locatable on the flange and provided with part of a fastening means, clamping means for clamping the member on the flange, and a second part of said fastening means securable to said first part thereof and comprising a retaining means for retaining a body on said fastening means when said second part is secured to said first part.

2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first part of said fastening means comprises projection means arranged to extend outwardly from a side surface of the flange when said member is clamped thereon by said clamping means, and said retaining means is securable to said projection means for retaining a body fitted over the projection means.

3. A fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection means comprises a stud.

4. A fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein the retaining means comprises a push button fastener push fittable onto the stud.

5. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second part of said fastening means comprises projection means extending from said retaining means, and said first part of said fastening means comprises means for securably engaging the projection means.

6. A fastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein said projection means comprises a stud and said retaining means comprises a head provided on the stud.

7. A fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first part of the fastening means comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged segments of said member arranged to define an aperture therein.

8. A fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said member is a spring clip which is clippable to the flange.

9. A fastener as claimed in claim 8, wherein said spring clip is provided with retention tooth means for engaging the flange and resisting withdrawal of the clip from the flange when the clamping means is fitted over the clip.

10. A fastener as claimed in claim 9, wherein said clip comprise a piece of resilient metal strip bent into a generally U-shaped configuration with two opposed arm means, said retention tooth means comprising tangs cut out of said one arm means at the free end thereof and bent towards the other arm means.

11. A fastener as claimed in claim 10, wherein a cutout is provided at the junction between said opposed arm means.

12. A fastener as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said clamping means comprises a single spring clamp fittable over said clip for clamping the clip on the flange.

13. A fastener as claimed in claim 12, wherein said spring clamp comprises a piece of resilient metal strip bent into a generally U-shaped configuration with two opposed arm means one of which is provided with an aperture between two side portions for extending one on each side of the fastening means when the second part thereof is secured to the first part thereof.

14. A fastener as claimed in claim 13, wherein said clamp is provided with detent means engagable in cutouts in the clip.

15. A fastener as claimed in claim 14, wherein said detent means comprises a V-shaped part of each of said side portions of said one arm means of the clamp, one limb of each V-shaped part engaging a respective one of the tangs of the clip when the clamp is fitted over the clip.

16. A mud flap fastened to a flange of a vehicle with a plurality of fasteners as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

17. A method of fastening a mud flap to a flange of a vehicle with a plurality of fasteners as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 comprising the steps of locating the members of the fasteners on the flange at spaced apart positions along the length of the flange, fitting the clamping means over the members to clamp the members in said positions, and securing the second part of the fastening means of each fastener to the first part thereof with one of said parts extending through the aperture in the mud flap such that the retaining means retains the mud flap on the fastening means.

18. A fastener for use in fastening a body to a flange substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 or 10 of the accompanying drawings.