GB2501764A

GB2501764A - Spring clip connector

Info

Publication number: GB2501764A
Application number: GB1207883.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Bevis
Original assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Current assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-04
Filing date: 2012-05-04
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-04
Also published as: GB201207883D0; GB2501764B

Abstract

A spring clip connector for connecting one member to another member comprises a C-clip portion 12 associated with a first member 11 and a generally cylindrical seat portion associated with a second member 10 and onto which the C-clip 12 may be snap-fitted. The seat portion is defined by axially spaced apart upper and lower circumferential ledge features 21, 22 provided on the second member 10 and which abut respective upper and lower circumferential edge regions 15, 16 of the C-clip portion 12 so as to secure the C-clip portion 12 against axial travel on the second member 10 when the C-clip portion 12 is engaged. At least a portion of one or more of said C-clip edges 15, 16 or seat ledge features 21, 22 is or are provided with a chamfer or chamfers 17, 25, 26 which facilitate fitting or removal of the C-clip onto/from the seat.

Description

Spring clip connector The invention relates to the field of spring clip connectors, more particularly spring clip connectors for retaining accessories on a vacuum cleaner for easy access and manipulation.

Vacuum cleaners, especially portable vacuum cleaners, may be supplied with certain accessories. Such accessories are designed to be used with the vacuum cleaner in order to aid the cleaning process. One such accessory is a wand which is used to convey air-entrained detritus from a site being cleaned to a waste receptacle such as a bag or bin within the vacuum cleaner body. In one example a flexible hose which is attached to the wand, and in some upright cleaners the wand is provided as an auxiliary collection device for use when the floor-facing carpet workhead is not suitable. Furthermore vacuum cleaners are often provided with accessories such as interchangeable tools which can be attached to a vacuum cleaner wand in order to facilitate cleaning. For example, tools which may be attached to the head of a wand to provide different airflow characteristics are often provided, such as narrow nozzle heads, nozzles with brushes and wide-mouthed nozzles.

It is known to provide a vacuum cleaner wand or nozzle accessory to which is spring-clipped a hook or T-section block feature which itself may be engaged within a vertical hanger slot provided in a vacuum cleaner body portion. A problem can arise when forcing the C-clip into position. Any slight misalignment can prevent the C-clip going into place or, more seriously, cause the clip to deform or fracture (especially if formed from moulded plastics material).

Occasionally the hook or block feature becomes damaged and it may then be necessary to disengage the spring clip from between upper and lower constraint collars. This can be an awkward process as the constraint offered by the collars prevents release of the clip other than by pulling in a radial detachment direction, rather than by the mechanically easier rocking of the clip up or down.

One object of the present invention is to provide a spring clip for attachment to a tubular device which is more convenient to attach and/or remove. Another object is to provide a spring clip for use in suspending a vacuum cleaner accessory or tool from a vacuum cleaner body portion or handle.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a spring clip connector for connecting one member to another member, which connector comprises a C-clip portion associated with a first member and a generally cylindrical seat portion associated with a second member and onto which the C-clip may be snap-fitted, wherein the seat portion is defined by axially spaced apart upper and lower circumferential ledge features provided on second member and which abut respective upper and lower circumferential edge regions of the C-clip so as to secure the C-clip portion against axial travel on the second member when the C-clip is engaged. The invention may be characterised in that at least a portion of one or more of said C-clip edges or seat ledge features is or are provided with a chamfer or S chamfers which facilitate fitting or removal of the C-clip onto/from the seat.

The upper and or lower circumferential edge regions of the C-clip may each be chamfered.

The chamfer or chamfers preferably extend along the entire circumferential length of the edge region or regions of the C-Clip.

The upper and/or lower circumferential ledge features of the seat portion may each be chamfered. Again, the chamfer or chamfers preferably extend along the entire length of the ledge feature or features which are in abutment with the C-clip edge region or regions.

In a preferred embodiment said C-clip edge regions and seat portion ledge features are all chamfered.

The chamfers typically have a liner profile, but could have a curved profile.

The C-clip has two generally axially oriented leading edge regions which define a gap therebetween for entry of the seat portion during snap-filling.

One or both of the leading edge regions may provided with a cutaway region at an upper or lower end thereof, which cutaway region provides a local increase in the gap between the leading edges so as to facilitate entry of the seat into the gap.

Thus in a second aspect of the invention there is provided a spring clip connector for connecting one member to another member, which connector comprises a C-clip portion associated with a first member and a generally cylindrical seat portion associated with a second member and onto which the C-clip may be snap-fitted, wherein the seat portion is defined by axially spaced apart upper and lower circumferential ledge features provided on second member and which abut respective upper and lower circumferential edge regions of the C-clip so as to secure the C-clip portion against axial travel on the second member when the C-clip is engaged, wherein the C-clip has two generally axially oriented leading edge regions which define a gap therebetween for entry of the seat portion during snap-fitting and characterised in that one or both of the leading edge regions is provided with a cutaway region at an upper or lower end thereof, which cutaway region provides a local increase in the gap between the leading edges so as to facilitate entry of the seat into the gap.

Both of the leading edge regions are preferably provided with corresponding cutaway regions at an upper or lower end thereof, which cutaway regions provide a local increase in the gap between the leading edges so as to facilitate entry of the seat into the gap.

One or each or all of the cutaways preferably has a concave curved shape. This preferably extends from one circumferential edge over at least 20% of the span of the leading edge.

The seat portion may be further defined by first and second generally axially extending ledge features, each of which leading edges extend between the upper and lower ledge features and are configured to be in abutment with leading edges regions of the C-clip when seated.

The cylindrical seat portion may be formed with a shallow concave waist region. The cylindrical internal surface of the C-clip may then be formed with a complementary convex belly region.

In a preferred arrangement the upper and/or lower ledge features each comprise a raised circumferential collar provided on the second member.

The first member to be connected may comprise a block feature which is fixed to an outside surface of the C-clip. This may be a T-section block for entry into a vertical slot hanger.

The second member to be connected may be an elongate generally tubular member. In another aspect of the invention the tubular member is configured as a wand portion or a nozzle accessory of a vacuum cleaner.

Following is a description by way of example only of one mode for putting the present invention into effect with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective three quarter view of a C-clip connector associated with a vacuum cleaner wand tube in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section through the wand tube with the C-clip engaged.

In figure 1 an elbow region of a generally cylindrical vacuum cleaner wand tube is shown generally as 10. A wand hanger 11 is shown disengaged and radially spaced apart from the tube 10. The hanger is formed from moulded resilient plastics material and comprises a C-clip portion 12 and a block portion 13. The C-clip has a generally cylindrical tubular body portion 14 having upper and lower circumferential edge regions 15,16. The edge regions are each formed with outwardly flaring chamfers 17. The body portion has first and second leading edge portions 18 (only one visible) which define a clip gap 19 therebetween. Both leading edges have a lower region which is formed with a concave curved cutaway profile 20. Thus the clip gap is somewhat wider at the lower end region between the leading edges.

A central region of the outside surface of the body portion is formed with an axially elongate I-section block portion 13 which projects radially from the body portion surface. The block is configured to be detachably hung from an open-ended vertical slot feature in a vacuum cleaner body or handle. Such hanger arrangements are known in the field.

The elbow tube 10 upper outer surface region is formed with an upper annular collar 21. A lower annular collar 22 is axially spaced apart from the first collar by an amount corresponding to the axial depth of the C-clip body portion 14. An inner ledge 25,26 defined by each collar is chamfered at an angle corresponding to the chamfers 17 of the clip body portion.

First and second axially extending and circumferentially spaced apart ridges 23,24 on the tube outer surface link the upper and lower collars. The ridges have a circumferential separation corresponding to the clip gap 19. A lower end region of each ridge is formed with a convex curved fillet 29 which has a profile matching that of the clip leading edge cutaway profile 20. The upper and lower collars and the axial ridges together form and define a C-clip body portion seat 30 for snap fitting if the c-clip onto the tube 10.

In figure 2 the wand hanger is shown with the C-clip body portion engaged onto the tube 10 seat portion. The chamfers of the clip body portion upper and lower edge regions and the collar ledges complement each other. The seat 30 is formed with a shallow convex waist 31, which is matched by a shallow concave hump on the inside surface of the clip body portion.

The chamfers serve to help guide the clip into position when snap fitted onto the tube. Thus the clip is easier to fit than clips having a design which uses rectilinear collars or circumferential edges.

The cutaway to the clip leading edges facilitates the snapping-on of the clip by provided a wider clip gap at the lower end thereof. Thus the clip may be pressed onto the seat with the lower end leading and then rocked home in the seat. The cutaway also allows the clip to be removed by pressing down on the wand hanger block to cause the clip body portion to rotate out of the seat. The cutaway profile allows the lower region of the clip leading edges to roll onto the profiled fillet 29 as the clip upper end retreats from the seat. Thus detachment of the clip is made easier, with damage to the clip much less likely.

In summary, the present invention relates to the field of spring clip connectors, for example spring C-clip connectors for retaining accessories on a vacuum cleaner for easy access and manipulation. The invention provides a spring clip connector for connecting one member to another member, which connector comprises a C-clip portion associated with a first member and a generally cylindrical seat portion associated with a second member and onto which the C-clip may be snap-fitted, wherein the seat portion is defined by axially spaced apart upper and lower circumferential ledge features provided on second member and which abut s respective upper and lower circumferential edge regions of the C-clip so as to secure the C-clip portion against axial travel on the second member when the C-clip is engaged, characterised in that at least a portion of one or more of said C-clip edges or seat ledge features is or are provided with a chamfer or chamfers which facilitate fitting or removal of the C-clip onto/from the seat. The chamfer or chamfers preferably extend along the entire length of the ledge feature or features which are in abutment with the C-clip edge region or regions. Said C-clip edge regions and seat portion ledge features are preferably all chamfered. The C-clip preferably has two generally axially oriented leading edge regions which define a gap therebetween for entry of the seat portion during snap-fitting. One or both of the leading edge regions may be provided with a cutaway region at an upper or lower end thereof, which cutaway region provides a local increase in the gap between the leading edges so as to facilitate entry of the seat into the gap.

The invention has been described with reference to a vacuum cleaner application, but the C-clip connection will find application is many other devices.

Claims

Claims 1. A spring clip connector for connecting one member to another member, which connector comprises a C-clip portion associated with a first member and a generally cylindrical seat portion associated with a second member and onto which the C-clip may be snap-fitted, wherein the seat portion is defined by axially spaced apart upper and lower circumferential ledge features provided on second member and which abut respective upper and lower circumferential edge regions of the C-clip so as to secure the C-clip portion against axial travel on the second member when the C-clip is engaged, characterised in that at least a portion of one or more of said C-clip edges or seat ledge features is or are provided with a chamfer or chamfers which facilitate fitting or removal of the C-clip onto/from the seat.
2. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper circumferential edge region of the C-clip is chamfered.
3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lower circumferential edge region of the C-clip is chamfered.
4. A connector as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the chamfer or chamfers extend along the entire circumferential length of the edge region or regions of the C-Clip.
5. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the upper circumferential ledge feature of the seat portion is chamfered.
6. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the lower circumferential ledge feature of the seat portion is chamfered.
7. A connector as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the chamfer or chamfers extend along the entire length of the ledge feature or features which are in abutment with the C-clip edge region or regions.
8. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said C-clip edge regions and seat portion ledge features are all chamfered.
9. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the C-clip has two generally axially oriented leading edge regions which define a gap therebetween for entry of the seat portion during snap-filling.
10. A connector as claimed in claim 9 wherein one or both of the leading edge regions is provided with a cutaway region at an upper or lower end thereof, which cutaway region provides a local increase in the gap between the leading edges so as to facilitate entry of the seat into the gap.
11. A spring clip connector for connecting one member to another member, which connector comprises a C-clip portion associated with a first member and a generally cylindrical seat portion associated with a second member and onto which the C-clip may be snap-filled, wherein the seat portion is defined by axially spaced apart upper and lower circumferential ledge features provided on second member and which abut respective upper and lower circumferential edge regions of the C-clip so as to secure the C-clip portion against axial travel on the second member when the C-clip is engaged, wherein the C-clip has two generally axially oriented leading edge regions which define a gap therebetween for entry of the seat portion during snap-fitting and characterised in that one or both of the leading edge regions is provided with a cutaway region at an upper or lower end thereof, which cutaway region provides a local increase in the gap between the leading edges so as to facilitate entry of the seat into the gap.
12. A connector as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 wherein both of the leading edge regions are provided with corresponding cutaway regions at an upper or lower end thereof, which cutaway regions provide a local increase in the gap between the leading edges so as to facilitate entry of the seat into the gap.
13. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the seat portion is further defined by first and second generally axially extending ledge features, each of which leading edges extend between the upper and lower ledge features and are configured to be in abutment with leading edges regions of the C-clip when seated.
14. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the cylindrical seat portion is formed with a shallow concave waist region.
15. A connector as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cylindrical internal surface of the C-clip is formed with a complementary convex belly region.
16. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the upper and/or lower ledge features each comprise a raised circumferential collar provided on the second member.
17. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first member comprises a block feature which is fixed to an outside surface of the C-clip.
18. A connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the second member is an elongate generally tubular member.
19. A connector as claimed in claim 18 wherein the tubular member is configured as a wand portion of a vacuum cleaner.
20. A connector as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13 wherein the cutaway has a concave curved shape which extends from one circumferential edge over at least 20% of the span of the leading edge.
21. A C-clip connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures of the drawings.