GB2383375A - Spring clip - Google Patents

Spring clip Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2383375A
GB2383375A GB0130748A GB0130748A GB2383375A GB 2383375 A GB2383375 A GB 2383375A GB 0130748 A GB0130748 A GB 0130748A GB 0130748 A GB0130748 A GB 0130748A GB 2383375 A GB2383375 A GB 2383375A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
spring clip
projections
protrusion
opening
back plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0130748A
Other versions
GB0130748D0 (en
GB2383375B (en
Inventor
Ian Hamilton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hamilton & Co Ltd R
Original Assignee
Hamilton & Co Ltd R
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hamilton & Co Ltd R filed Critical Hamilton & Co Ltd R
Priority to GB0130748A priority Critical patent/GB2383375B/en
Publication of GB0130748D0 publication Critical patent/GB0130748D0/en
Publication of GB2383375A publication Critical patent/GB2383375A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2383375B publication Critical patent/GB2383375B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
    • F16B5/06—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips
    • F16B5/0607—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other
    • F16B5/0621—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship
    • F16B5/0642—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
    • F16B5/06—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips
    • F16B5/0607—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other
    • F16B5/0621—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship
    • F16B5/0657—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship at least one of the plates providing a raised structure, e.g. of the doghouse type, for connection with the clamps or clips of the other plate
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/508—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by a separate clip or spring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
    • F16B2/20—Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
    • F16B2/22—Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material
    • F16B2/24—Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material of metal
    • F16B2/241—Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material of metal of sheet metal
    • F16B2/245—Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material of metal of sheet metal external, i.e. with contracting action
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
    • F16B21/06—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
    • F16B21/10—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings by separate parts
    • F16B21/20—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings by separate parts for bolts or shafts without holes, grooves, or notches for locking members

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Abstract

A spring clip 1 comprising a planar body 2 which has an outer periphery 3 and an inner periphery 4 defining a central aperture 5 about an axis of the spring clip, the outer periphery 3 having a plurality of resilient projections 7 extending outwards and the inner periphery having a plurality of inward projections 6 extending into the central aperture 5. The spring clip may form a variety of shapes but is preferably annular. Each of the resilient projections may comprise a portion which extends out of the plane of the body of the spring clip. The clip may be used in combination with a first member having a protrusion received in an opening in a second member, as a means of securing the two members together. The clip may be used for securing a front plate to a back plate in an electrical socket or switch.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
Spring Clip The present invention relates to a spring clip, for example a spring clip for securing a front plate to a back plate in an electrical socket or switch.
According to the present invention there is provided a spring clip comprising a planar body which has an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining a central aperture about an axis of the spring clip, the outer periphery having a plurality of resilient projections extending outwards and the inner periphery having a plurality of inward projections extending into the central aperture.
The spring clip may be of a variety of shapes as known in the art but it is preferred that it is annular.
It is preferred that each of the resilient projections is opposite another of the resilient projections. Additionally, it is also preferred that each of the inward projections is opposite another of the inward projections.
Each of the resilient projections may comprise a portion which extends out of the plane of the body of the spring clip. It is preferred that each of the resilient projections comprises a first portion which extends outwards at an angle of between 450 and 900 relative to the plane of the body and further comprises a second portion which extends in towards the axis of the spring clip from the first portion of the projection.
A spring clip as described may be used in combination with a first member having a protrusion received in an opening in a second member, as a means of securing said first and second members. The spring clip may be engaged with the protrusion on the first member such that the protrusion extends through the central aperture of the spring clip and the inward projections of the spring clip bear against the protrusion. When the protrusion on the first member is received in the opening in the second member the resilient projections of the spring clip may bear against the periphery of the opening in the second member in order that the first and second members are held securely together.
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
The combination of first and second members as described is particularly suitable for use in electrical fittings such as sockets and switches. When this is the case it is preferred that the first member is a front plate of the socket or switch and the second member is a back plate of the socket or switch.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching a first member having a protrusion to a second member having a receiving opening using a spring clip according to the present invention, comprising a first step of engaging the spring clip with the protrusion on the first member such that the protrusion extends through the central aperture and the inward projections of the spring clip bear against the protrusion and a second step of engaging the protrusion on the first member with the opening on the second member such that the resilient projections on the spring clip extend substantially through and bear against the opening in the second member.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a spring clip according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line B-B of the spring clip of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a front view of a front plate of a double electrical socket; Fig. 4 is a back view of the front plate of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front view of a back plate of the double electrical socket; Fig. 6 is a back view of the back plate of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the spring clip of Fig. I and a portion of the front
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
plate being attached to a portion of the back plate; and Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the result of what is shown in Fig. 7.
Referring now to Figs. land 2, these show a spring clip 1 (for example a metallic spring clip) comprising a main body 2 with an outer periphery 3 and an inner periphery 4.
The inner periphery 4 defines a central aperture 5 about the central axis A of the spring clip, into which extend four geometrically similar inward projections 6. The inward projections 6 are equally spaced around the inner periphery 4 such that each inward projection 6 is directly opposite another. In addition to the inward projections 6 there are also two geometrically similar resilient projections 7 extending outwards from the outer periphery 3. The two resilient projections 7 are aligned with two of the inward projections 6 such that they are also directly opposite one another.
Referring particularly to Fig. 2, this shows a sectional view of the spring clip 1 taken along the line B-B of Fig. 1. The inward projections 6 extend into the central aperture and are
bent slightly out of the plane of the body 2 by approximately 300. The resilient projections 7 have a first portion 7a extending out of the plane of the body 2 by approximately 700and a second portion 7b extending from the first portion 7a in towards the axis of the body 2.
Fig. 3 shows a front view of a front plate 8 of a double electrical socket. The front plate 8 has two openings 9 to allow access to the electrical sockets and a third opening 10 which allows access to electrical switches.
Fig. 4 shows a back view of the front plate 8 of Fig. 3. In addition to the openings 9 and 10 two protrusions 11 can be seen at diagonally opposite comers of the front plate 8.
Fig. 5 shows a front view of a back plate 12 for the double electrical socket. The back plate 12 inserts into a wall and has two openings 13 each of which houses one of the electrical sockets and an opening 14 which houses the electrical switches. In addition the back plate 12 also has two openings 15 at diagonally opposite comers which correspond with the two protrusions on the front plate 8.
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
Fig. 6 shows a back view of the back plate 12 of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the spring clip of Fig. 1 with a protrusion 11 from a front plate 8 having been passed through the central aperture of the spring clip so that the inward projections 6 bear against the protrusion 11. A portion of a back plate 12 is also shown with the centre of the opening 15 aligned with the protrusion 11 on the front plate 8.
The overall diameter of the spring clip, i. e. the diameter of the spring clip plus the horizontal extension of the resilient projections 7, is larger than the diameter of the opening 15 in the back plate 12. When the front plate 8 and the back plate 12 are pushed together as shown by the arrows, the resilient projections 7 on the spring clip bear against the periphery of the opening 15 on the back plate 12 and are compressed inward to allow the two plates to come together, the resilient projections 7 then moving back outwards, as a"snap-action"fitting, to hold the combination secure. The result is shown in Fig. 8.
Although the Figs. 3-8 relate to the front and back plate for an electrical socket it will be understood that the same technique using spring clips 1 could be used to join the front and back plate of an electrical switch for example.

Claims (15)

1. A spring clip comprising a planar body which has an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining a central aperture about an axis of the spring clip, the outer periphery having a plurality of resilient projections extending outwards and the inner periphery having a plurality of inward projections extending into the central aperture.
2. A spring clip according to claim 1, wherein the body is annular.
3. A spring clip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the resilient projections is opposite another of the resilient projections.
4. A spring clip according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the inward projections is opposite another of the inward projections.
5. A spring clip according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the resilient projections comprises at least a portion which extends out of the plane of the body of the spring clip.
6. A spring clip according to claim 5, wherein each of said projections comprises a first portion which extends outwards at an angle of between 45 0 and 900 relative to the plane of the body and further comprises a second portion which extends in towards said axis from the first portion of the projection.
7. A combination of a first member having a protrusion received in an opening in a second member, there being a spring clip according to any preceding claim with its inward projections bearing against the protrusion of the first member and its resilient projections bearing against the periphery of the opening in the second member such that the first and second members are held together.
8. A combination according to claim 7, wherein said members are respective members of an electrical fitting.
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
9. A combination according to claim 8, wherein the electrical fitting is a switch with the first member being a front plate and the second member being a back plate of the switch.
10. A combination according to claim 8, wherein the electrical fitting is a socket with the first member being a front plate and the second member being a back plate of the socket.
11. A method of attaching a first member having a protrusion to a second member having a receiving opening using a spring clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising a first step of engaging the spring clip with the protrusion on the first member such that the protrusion extends through the central aperture and the inward projections of the spring clip bear against the protrusion and a second step of engaging the protrusion on the first member with the opening on the second member such that the resilient projections on the spring clip bear against the opening of the second member.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said first and second members are respective members of an electrical fitting.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the electrical fitting is a switch with the first member being a front plate and the second member being a back plate.
14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the electrical fitting is a socket with the first member being a front plate and the second member being a back plate.
15. A spring clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0130748A 2001-12-21 2001-12-21 Spring clip Expired - Lifetime GB2383375B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0130748A GB2383375B (en) 2001-12-21 2001-12-21 Spring clip

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0130748A GB2383375B (en) 2001-12-21 2001-12-21 Spring clip

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0130748D0 GB0130748D0 (en) 2002-02-06
GB2383375A true GB2383375A (en) 2003-06-25
GB2383375B GB2383375B (en) 2005-07-13

Family

ID=9928246

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0130748A Expired - Lifetime GB2383375B (en) 2001-12-21 2001-12-21 Spring clip

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2383375B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007003789A1 (en) * 2007-01-19 2008-07-31 Elbe Holding Gmbh & Co. Kg fuse element
CN107910712A (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-04-13 胡伟 Plug
CN107946837A (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-04-20 胡伟 Socket
CN107946856A (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-04-20 胡伟 The mounting structure of socket and plug

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1149268A (en) * 1965-08-02 1969-04-23 Albert Victor Raymond Improvements in and relating to clips
GB2092216A (en) * 1981-01-31 1982-08-11 Raymond A Retaining clip
GB2169025A (en) * 1984-12-22 1986-07-02 Raymond A A releasable self-locking spring clip
GB2259544A (en) * 1991-09-11 1993-03-17 Xerox Corp Locating clip
JPH0737406A (en) * 1993-07-19 1995-02-07 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Push-on fix for aiming screw locking
EP0638700A1 (en) * 1993-08-12 1995-02-15 A. Raymond GmbH &amp; Co. KG Fastening element to fasten building panels on girders
DE29710749U1 (en) * 1997-06-19 1998-10-15 Springfix-Befestigungstechnik GmbH, 73084 Salach Fastening clip for insertion into a thin-walled component

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1149268A (en) * 1965-08-02 1969-04-23 Albert Victor Raymond Improvements in and relating to clips
GB2092216A (en) * 1981-01-31 1982-08-11 Raymond A Retaining clip
GB2169025A (en) * 1984-12-22 1986-07-02 Raymond A A releasable self-locking spring clip
GB2259544A (en) * 1991-09-11 1993-03-17 Xerox Corp Locating clip
JPH0737406A (en) * 1993-07-19 1995-02-07 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Push-on fix for aiming screw locking
EP0638700A1 (en) * 1993-08-12 1995-02-15 A. Raymond GmbH &amp; Co. KG Fastening element to fasten building panels on girders
DE29710749U1 (en) * 1997-06-19 1998-10-15 Springfix-Befestigungstechnik GmbH, 73084 Salach Fastening clip for insertion into a thin-walled component

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007003789A1 (en) * 2007-01-19 2008-07-31 Elbe Holding Gmbh & Co. Kg fuse element
DE102007003789B4 (en) * 2007-01-19 2009-05-20 Elbe Holding Gmbh & Co. Kg Universal joint with a securing element
CN107910712A (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-04-13 胡伟 Plug
CN107946837A (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-04-20 胡伟 Socket
CN107946856A (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-04-20 胡伟 The mounting structure of socket and plug
CN107910712B (en) * 2017-10-31 2019-08-13 宁波赛耐比光电科技股份有限公司 Plug
CN107946837B (en) * 2017-10-31 2019-08-13 宁波赛耐比光电科技股份有限公司 Socket
CN107946856B (en) * 2017-10-31 2019-08-13 宁波赛耐比光电科技股份有限公司 The mounting structure of socket and plug

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0130748D0 (en) 2002-02-06
GB2383375B (en) 2005-07-13

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20211220