MXPA97006696A - GRIP CONNECTOR OF PA fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a staple capable of being installed on the edge area of a panel that is equipped with a transverse clamping hole, the staple comprising: a V-shaped wall structure including first and second walls, and a web connection in the V's ellipse, the first and second deflectable walls being connected to the frame, so that the first and second walls can move towards each other in positions held against opposite surfaces of the panel, the frame having a width dimension that it approximates the thickness dimension of the panel, whereby the first and second walls are able to lie flat against the panel surfaces, the first wall having an opening capable of being aligned with the fastener hole in the panel, and a plurality of radial grooves contiguous with the opening to define deflectable projections, the projections have terminal ends capable of extending into threaded surfaces in a A threaded fastener and extending through the fastener hole in the panel, whereby the clamp is retained in the fastener, and a tubular protrusion extending from the second wall for insertion into the fastener hole, so that, when the fastener is tightened to clamp the first and second walls against the panel, the protrusion will bump the protrusions to limit the compressive forces exerted by the first and second walls in the pan

Description

PANEL BLOCK CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to an unstable staple on the edge of a panel to facilitate the process of installing panel over a threaded fastener. The staple includes elements for limiting the compression forces exerted by the staple on the panel when the fastener is tightened. The staple can also be used as a bra.

Description of the Developments of the Prior Art Relates In certain cases it is desirable to install a box or other component on the underside of a hanging support structure or on a vertical surface, using rigid fasteners as the connecting mechanism. Typically the hanging or suspending component is formed with two or more flat tabs adapted to be placed against the bearing structure surface. The support structure is provided with a plurality of fastener bolts spaced in accordance with the spacing of fastener holes in the flanges, whereby the component can be manually pushed into a position where the fastener bolts extend through the fastener. of fastener makers. A nut can be screwed into the end of each fastener bolt to exert clamping forces on the flanges, so that the component is retained in its place on the support structure. In order to compensate for fabrication tolerances in component manufacturing spacing and fastener bolt, the fastener holes in the flanges are sometimes oversized relative to the fastener bolt diameter. This presents a problem in that the component has to be manually supported while the fastening nuts are threaded towards the bolts, likewise, the nuts have to be subjected to torsion at a sufficiently high value to ensure that the component will remain in place. a fixed position after the nuts have been tightened. The problem is aggravated somewhat in automotive applications, where the forces of variation may have a loosening effect on the nuts. The nuts must be relatively tight in order to effectively resist the forces of vibration. Many components used in automotive applications are made of plastic. When said plastic components are suspended, as described above, the flanges in the component can be subjected to relatively high compression loads by the fastener nuts. These high loads, in conjunction with the vibration forces, can lead to material deformation, or other plastic failure. The present invention relates to a staple that can be inserted into the edge area of a component flange (or any panel) to limit the compression forces exerted by a fastener bolt and nut assembly. The g has additionally a pin holding capacity, by which the flange or panel is automatically retained in its grip on the fastener bolts while the fastening bolts are being applied and tightened on the bolts. The competitor can be pushed into place against the support structure and then released while being carried out with a nut grip; The staples on the eyelashes of the subject fasten the fastener bolts to hold the patient in place for human help. In the prolonged practice of the invention, the clamp p is to be used as a fastening element to retain any component on a support structure while limiting the compressive forces on the component. Various types of staple have been used in the past to facilitate the process of mounting a panel or flange over a threaded bolt or bolt. U.S. Patent 5,039,264 shows a metal staple having two spaced legs adapted to hold opposing surfaces of the structure onto which the staple is to be installed. The staple has a self-contained nut on one of its legs, and a protrusion circulates on the other leg to place the staple. U.S. Patent 5,039,264 is believed to be representative of the relined technique with fastener clip devices.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a staple having first and second walls adapted to seat against opposite surfaces of a sandwich panel, whereby the staple retains on the panel. In practice, the panel may be a flange extending from a component for mounting the component on a support structure. A special feature of the staple is that it can be installed easily and quickly on the panel, without welding or interference of adjustment assembly operations. The staple may have a loose float setting on the panel. The flange (panel) has a hole adapted to surround (or receive) a fastener bolt that extends from a pre-existing support structure, whereby a fastener nut can be threaded onto the bolt to hold the component in place. . The clip of the present invention comprises one or more projections adapted to achieve an interference fit with the threads of the fastener bolt when the component s pushes into place, so that the component is prevented from falling out of position while the component nut is being threaded towards the bolt. The staple of the present invention further includes a tubular net or protrusion extending from one of the main staple pairs so as to be placed in a fastener hole in the flange (or panel). When the nut is tightened on the fastener bolt the protrusion abuts the fastener springs on the staple to limit the axial compressive forces applied to the flange (or panel). This pressure limiting action protects the flange material from material deformation or excessive stresses that could lead to premature failure. The main walls of the staple have relatively large supe fi cial areas that provide extensive surface contact with the work surfaces (eg, the pin and the nut), so that the component is properly secured in place. , even when the compression retention forces are really low. Also, the staple is designed to have a floatable arrangement on the panel (or flange), so that multiple staples on different areas of the panel are aligned with the fastener bolts that may not be accurately paired in accordance with the spacing the fastener holes in the panel. When the panel is to be retained on the support structure with a single fastener, the clip may have a precision fit in the panel fastener hole, since the hole spacing trierences are not a factor in said facilities. in some cases the staple can be used as a fastener device, instead of the aforementioned fastener nut. For example, in a situation where the support structure is provided with a pin or uniform surface projection, the staple can be installed first over the bo area of a panel, after which the panel can be manipulated so that protrusions on the staple exert a clamping force on the pin, sufficient to retain the panel in its grip on the support structure. The pin could be nicked or fluted. In the installed condition of the panel, the tubular prowess in one of the main staple walls top with the sanding area in the other main wall to limit the compressive forces in the panel. Additional features of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description of illustrative forms of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a sectional view of a staple embodying the invention. Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through a plastic panel that is for receiving the staple of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the grap installed in the panel. Figure 4 is a top plan view of the grap of Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view moving the staple-panel assembly mounted to the underside of a support structure by means of fastener bolt. dependent threaded nut. Figure 6 is a view taken in the same direction as figure 3, but showing another staple built of confo mity with the invention. Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the grap illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a view taken in the same direction as Figure 5, but showing the staple-panel assembly of Figure 6. Figure 9 is a plan view of a third staple construction embracing the invention. Figure 10 is a view taken in the same direction as Figures 5 and 8, but showing an additional clip used in the practice of the invention. Figure 11 shows the staple of Figure 8 used in a different way, as a fastening device. Figure 12 is a sectional view taken through a staple of the invention, showing the staple installed in a panel for retaining a threaded fastener in the panel. Figure 13 is a view taken in the same direction as Figure 1, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention Figure 14 is a top plan view of the grap of Figure 13.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and, particularly Figures 1 to 5, there is shown an installable staple 10 in the edge area of a panel 12. In practice the panel can be an integral flange with a component 13 greater, e.g., a storage box, which is to be mounted on a support structure and vada. The structure is broadly referenced in Figure 5 by the number 14. The flange (panel) 12 may have one or more fastener holes spaced therealong; A staple 10 s stop will be installed over the tab in each fastener hole. As shown in Figure 1, the staple comprises a first main network 18, a second main wall 20, and a frame 2 interconnecting the two walls. The thickness dimension of the weft 22 is approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the panel 12, so that when the walls 18 and 20 are clamped against opposite surfaces of the panel, the walls will essentially be flat against the panel along the length of the panel. entire area of each wall 18 or 20. As shown in Figure 1, the staple has a per fi lter of V-shaped configuration, with the frame 22 being at the apex the V, and the walls 18 and 20 diverging from the frame 22 As shown in Figure 4, each wall 18 or 20 is essentially square in the planar dimension, whereby each wall has an area of free surface area with the panel 12 when the panel is held in place, as in Figure 5. The square configuration is not critical; the primary goal is to achieve extensive area engagement of the staple surfaces on the panel. The wall 18 of the clip has an opening 24 circulates and five radial grooves 26 congituous with the opening, whereby five radial projections 27 are formed around the edge of the opening. Each projection 27 is deflectable, to a limited degree, around its point of connection with the wall 18. The diameter dimension of the opening 24 is somewhat smaller than the outside diameter of a threaded pin or fastener bolt 29 that depending on the support structure 14, on which the panel 12 is to be mounted, whereby the protrusions 27 may have an interference fit with the screw surfaces on the bolt 29. The number of protrusions may be varied while all the way the invention is practiced. Figures 13 and 14 show a staple of the present invention having a single protrusion 27. The protrusion is designed to penetrate into the rosc space in the bolt to cause the staple to be retained in the bolt The staple of Figures 13 and 14 is an alternative to the staple of Figures 1 and 4. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the wall 20 d of the staple has a tubular protrusion (wall) 30 extending from the wall 18, so that when the clamp in the form of being forced towards the edge on the panel 12 the tubular wall 30 mounts along the bottom surface of the panel and then towards the fastener hole 16. The outer diameter of the tubular protuberance 30 is somewhat smaller that the width dimension of the fastener hole 15 so that the staple 10 is held loosely in a floating condition on the panel (in the position of Figure 3) The float arrangement of each staple 10 in the panel 12 compensates for tolerance s in the spacing of different fastener bolts 29, whereby the fastener can be aligned with and hold an associated bolt. The tubular net 30 serves as a retainer for retaining the staple 10 on the panel 12, and also as a compression limiter when the nut 32 (FIG. 5) is tightened on the bolt 29. In situations where the panel 12 is going To retain the support structure with a single fastener assembly, the clearance between the tubular protuberance 30 and the hole in the tunnel 12 can be reduced, so there may be no need to compensate for tolerances in the spacing of different bolts (pins). of bra. When staples 10 have been installed in panel 12, the associated component 13 can be pushed towards the support structure 14 so that the opening 24 in each respective clip hitch ratchets on the threads in the respective pins 29. When the panel 12 has moved to the limit of its movement the sails 27 will have an interference fit on the threads of each bolt 29, whereby the component 13 is retained against sliding of the bolts 29. The projections 27 exert clamping force on the bolt threads. A threaded nut 32 is threaded towards each bolt 27 to exert an axial force on the staple wall 20, whereby the panel 12 is secured to the support structure 14. During the final stages of the nut tightening operation the end of the tubular wall 30 abuts the projections 27 to limit the compression tightening pressures exerted by the pairs 18 and 20 on the panel 12. The wall 30 It acts as a pressure limiting mechanism to prevent undesirably high compression loads on the panel. The panel is protected against formation or other desired failure. The staple shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises two networks 18 and 20 having the same configuration and size (that is, the configuration shown in Figure 4). However, the respective walls could have slightly different sizes or configurations while the invention is still practiced. By making a wall (18 or 20) slightly smaller than the other wall it is possible to facilitate a correct installation of the staple in the panel 12; e.g., an installation where the wall 18 always rests on the upper face of the panel 12, as shown in Figure 3. The person installing the staple is instructed to ensure that the minor wall is always in the upper (or lower) face of the panel. As shown in Figure 1, the central area of the wall 18 occupied by the projections 27 is downwardly shaped or deformed. This is for the purpose of allg the ends of the protrusions to better conform to the screw spaces in the bolt 29. The protruding ends may shift away from the wall plane 18 slightly, as shown in Figure 5, to ensure that they will be received in a threaded space instead of bumping an external threaded edge or a non-threaded area of the bolt. However, the set-up configuration is not essential; a configuration of flat protrusion can also be used (as shown in Figure 6). Referring to Figures 6 to 8, a variant of the staple illustrated in Figure 1 is shown. Figure 6, the staple is similar to the staple of Figure 1 in all respects, except that the outgoing area of the wall 18 is coplanar (flat with the remaining area of the wall, instead of being shaped.) The clip of Figure 6 can be installed in an inverted orientation on the panel 12, e.g., with the wall 18 on the side of the panel, and with the wall 20 on the upper side of the panel Figure 8 shows the final positions of the panel and staples after the nut 32 has been pressed towards the fastener bolt 29. The tubular wall 30 abuts the projections 27 to limit the compression forces exerted by the walls 18 and the material of the panel 12. The staple of Figure 6 functions in essentially the same manner as the staple of Figure 1. Figure 9 shows a protrusion configuration that - can be used to achieve projections that have in greater deflection capacity. The radial grooves 26 have widened areas at the points where the projections are attached to the wall 18, whereupon each projection has a relatively gosta dimension at the point of attachment of the wall 18. Each projection on the staple Figure in this way deviates more easily than the corresponding protrusion in Figure 1 or the staple of the figure The particularity of "compression limiter" can be used unused? the retention protrusions 27. Thus, in an alternative arrangement, not shown, the central hole 24 may have a diameter that is the same as the internal diameter of the tubular wall 30 (Figure 8); in this case the ranks 26 are not used. With such an arrangement, the staple can be loosely placed on the panel 12 (or similar member to be fastened) by the arrangement of the tubular wall 30 extending within the panel. When the nut 32 is tightened on the bolt, the wall 30 acts as a compression limiter, as in the arrangement illustrated in Figure 8. Figures 13 and 14 show a variant of the staples illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. shown in Figure 13 the wall 20 of the clip includes a wall A 20a extending parallel to the wall 13, and another wall area 20b that diverges. ge away from the wall 18. This configuration (or divergence) differs slightly from the divergent configuration illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. However, the staple of Figures 13 and 1 6. However, the staple of Figures 13 and 14 works essentially the same as the staples previously described. In an additional arrangement, not shown, the walls 18 and 20 may be parallel in the unstressed state. The elasticity of the staple material may allow the pair 18 and 20 of staple to separate momentarily, to a divergent condition, thereby allowing the staple to be instilled on the panel 12. With the staple placed on the panel, the walls 18 and 20 of > Staple resiliently returns to a condition where the walls 18 and 20 extend along opposite faces of the panel. Figure 10 shows a variant of the invention in which the tubular wall 30a acted as a pressure limiter and also as a fastener bolt fastening element. The internal diameter of the tubular wall 30a is preferably a narrow frictional fit on the screw edges on the fastener bolt 29. Therefore, when the panel 12 manipulates toward the bolt 29 the inner surface of the tubular wall 30a will exert a clamping force on the bolt, thereby retaining the panel 12 in place on the bolt while the nut 32 is squeezing. The wall 30a can be provided with a plurality of axial grooves 35 to increase the clamping action. The. wall 18 has a circular opening 34 having a narrow tolerance fit on the bolt. The edge areas of the opening 34 align with the edge areas of the tubular wall 30a to achieve the desired pressure limiting action Figure 11 shows the clip of Figures 6 to 8 used as a fastener for retaining a panel 12a on a support structure. This use of the staple eliminates the need for the fastener nut 32. As shown in Figure 11, the carrying structure 14 has a pin 29a of uniform surface projecting from the structure surface 14. The pin can be molded as an integral part of the structure 14, or the pin can be a pressure fitting of separate element towards a hole in the structure 14. The pin is held by the projections 27 of the staple 10, whereby the panel 12a is fastened to the support structure 14. The hole 24 in the staple wall 18 is dimensioned to have a narrow sliding fit on the pin 29a of uniform surface. The pin may be grooved or grooved Assuming that the staple 10 is first installed on the panel 12a, the staple walls 18 and 20 are pressed together against the faces of the panel 12a, the staple walls 18 and 20 are pressed together against the staples. faces of the panel 12a, after which the staple-panel assembly is telescoped towards the pin 29a; the hole 24 s slides along the pin surface, with minimal deviation from the projections 27 (even though said deviation may occur as an incidental part of the installation process). If the hole 24 in the staple wall 18 becomes slightly smaller than the pin diameter, the projections 27 will deviate during the staple insertion process. When the staple panel assembly is fully inserted towards the pin 29a the staple releases, after which the staple wall 18 can jump easily (imperceptibly) away from the face of the pane 12a to cause the projections 27 to hold the staple. pin d surface. The movement of the staple wall 18 to achieve the boss-pin clamping action is very light, so that the staple wall 18 remains essentially parallel to the staple wall 20, as shown in Figure 11. The wall 30 tubular limits the compressive forces on the panel 12a, as in the arrangements described above. The axial length of the wall 30 may be slightly less than the wall thickness of the panel 12a, in which case the staple pair 18 and 20 may exert an oppressive action on the panel 12a during the staple installation process. on the pin 29a; the spring action of the staple wall 18 will clear the clamping force so that the staple walls pull a desired pressure on the panel after the panel clamping operation. Figure 12 shows the clip of Figure 7 installed on the panel 12, with a threaded fastener 29b inserted through the tubular compression-limiting wall 30 so that the projections 27 have attachment engagement with the fastener threads. . The staple is used as a device for retaining the threaded fastener in the panel 12 prior to the threaded insertion of the fastener into a threaded hole in a support structure, not shown. With the fastener 29b retained on the panel 12 the driver is rotated about its axis to be threaded towards a threaded hole in the support structure not shown, half of which the panel 12 is secured to the support structure. wall 30 acts as a pressure limiter to prevent undue stress on panel 12. Figures 11 and 12 simply illustrate added uses of the staple of this invention. The basic staple configuration can be used in various ways, as shown for example in Figure 5, or Figure 8, or Figure 10, or Figure 11, or Figure 12. It will be seen that the invention can adopt a scale of different constructions. . The clip of this invention is designed to have a retaining element 30 for loosely retaining the sheet on a panel to be held in place. Also, the clip includes a fastener for holding the threads of a pin or fastener pin whereby the pin is supported against dislocation away from the bolt or pin. In addition, the clip includes compression limiting elements (30 or 30a) to limit the pressure exerted by the walls 18 and 20 on the panel 12 when the nut is tightened.

The walls 18 and 20 have relatively large surface areas in facial contact with the surfaces of the panel so that the clip is prevented from loosening prematurely, even though the compression pressures on the panel 12 may be relatively low.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS 1. An installable staple on the edge area of a panel that is equipped with a transverse fastener hole, the staple comprising: first and second walls adapted to settle with sandwich panel surfaces; retaining elements for loosely retaining the clip on the panel; fasteners for fastening a fastening bolt when the panel is maniped so that the bolt extends through the fastener hole; and compression limiting elements for limiting the pressure exerted by the first and second walls on the panel when a nut is tightened on the bolt.
2. 2. The staple of the reicindication 1, wherein the retention element comprises a tub wall adapted to extend towards the fastener hole.
3. 3. The staple of claim 2, wherein the fastener element comprises an opening in the first wall that has a dimension slightly smaller than the larger diameter of the threads in the fastener pin so that the edge of the abutment It is adapted to have an interference fit with the bolt thread.
4. 4. The clip of claim 3, wherein the first wall has at least one radial groove contiguous with the bob of the circ opening to form a deflectable ledge member adapted for individual insertion into the threads in the fastener stud. .
5. 5. The clip of claim 4, wherein the tub wall has a terminal edge adapted to abut the projection element when the nut is tightened on the bolt, whereby the tub wall forms the retaining element of the bolt. gr pa and the compression limiter element.
6. 6. The staple of claim 5, wherein the tub frame has an external dimension significantly smaller than the dimension of the fastener hole in the panel, whereby the staple is floated on the panel before tightening the nut. .
7. 7. The staple of claim 1, wherein the fastener element comprises at least one projection carried by the first wall for individual insertion towards the threads in the fastener bolt; the compression limiting element comprising a protrusion extending from the second wall to abut the projection when the nut is tightened on the bolt.
8. 8. The staple of the rei indication 7, wherein the protrusion has a smaller dimension than the size of the fastener hole, whereby the protuberance forms the retention element as well as the compression limiting element.
9. 9. The staple of claim 1, and further comprising a frame that interconnects the first and second walls of amenra that the weft is placed along the side of a panel edge when the staple is installed in the panel.
10. 10. The staple of claim 1, and further comprising a raster wall interconnecting the first and second walls; the first and second walls diverging as they extend from the weft wall, whereby the staple has a V-shaped profile to facilitate slidable insertion of the staple toward the panel.
11. 11. An installable staple in the edge areas of a panel that is equipped with a transverse fastener hole, the staple comprising: a wall structure including first and second spaced walls, and a connection frame; a protrusion extending from the second wall towards the first wall, so that when the first and second walls are clamped against the opposite surfaces of the panel the protuberance extends through the fastener hole to abut the second wall, to limit the pressure exerted by the walls on the panel.