WO2007035748A1

WO2007035748A1 - Clip with locating feature

Info

Publication number: WO2007035748A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/036510
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael J. Alloway; Charles Heard; Gary Vettese; Ralph Uenver; Frank Eberhardt; Earl J. Hayes
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company; I & T Innovation Technology Entwicklungs-Und Holding Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2005-09-20
Filing date: 2006-09-19
Publication date: 2007-03-29

Abstract

A retainer or clip (10, 100, 200, 300) for a flat flexible cable (50, 150, 250, 350) includes a first closure member (12, 112, 212, 312) having a top surface (20, 120, 220, 320), a bottom surface (22, 122, 222, 322) and side surfaces (26, 124, 126, 224, 226, 324, 326), a second closure member (14, 114, 214, 314) having a top surface (30, 130, 230, 330), a bottom surface (32, 132, 232, 332) and side surfaces (36, 134, 136, 234, 236, 334, 336), and a hinge member (16, 116, 216, 316) for hingedly connecting the first and second closure members. The clip includes a locating feature for locating the clip at a desired location along the cable and preventing movement of the clip relative to the flat cable. In one embodiment, the locating feature comprises a post (28) extending from a surface of the one of the first and second closure members that is received in an aperture (54) in the flat cable (50). In another embodiment, the locating feature comprises one or more nibs (128) projecting from the side surfaces of the clip that are received in cutouts (154) formed in the side walls of the flat cable. In another embodiment, the locating feature comprises a nib (228, 238) formed in at least one of the top surfaces for fiictionally engaging and positively securing the cable at a desired location when the clip is placed in a closed position. In another embodiment, the locating feature comprises at least one of the top surfaces (320, 330) having an undulated profile.

Description

CLIP WITH LOCATING FEATURE

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a retainer or clip for a flat flexible cable, and in particular to a clip that can be positioned at a desired location along the cable with a locating feature for preventing movement of the cable once the clip is positioned at the desired location.

Background of the Invention Conventional methods for attaching wire harnesses to a vehicle body require a troublesome process for binding a wire harness clip to the wire harness. Typically, the wire harness and the wire harness clip are bound together by adhesives, such as tape wrap. As a result, the location of the clip is not adjustable along the wire harness. Consequently, the wire harness and the wire harness clip may not be properly aligned with the corresponding apertures in the vehicle body. The result is that the wire harness and the wire harness clip may not be properly mounted to the vehicle body, or in some extreme cases, the wire harness and wire harness clip may not be able to be mounted at all to the vehicle body.

Summary of the Invention

The inventors of the present invention have recognized these and other problems associated with the wire harness clips. To this end, the inventors have invented a clip for a flat, flexible cable comprising a first closure member having a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces, a second closure member having a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces, a hinge member for hingedly connecting the first and second closure members, and a locating feature for preventing movement of a flat cable when said clip is placed in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the locating feature comprises a post extending from a surface of the one of the first and second closure members that is received in an aperture in the flat cable. In another embodiment, the locating feature comprises one or more nibs projecting from the side surfaces of the clip that are received in cutouts formed in the side walls of the flat cable. In another embodiment, the locating feature comprises at least one of the top surfaces includes a nib for frictionally engaging and positively securing a cable at a desired location when the clip is placed in a closed position. In another embodiment, the locating feature comprises at least one of the top surfaces having an undulated profile.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clip with a locating feature according to a first embodiment when in an open position.

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the clip shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the clip shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a clip with a locating feature according to a second embodiment when in a closed position.

Figure 5 is a side view of the clip of Figure 4 when in the closed position. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the clip indicated by the circled area in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the clip taken along line 7-7 of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a clip with a locating feature according to a third embodiment when in an open position.

Figure 9 is a side view of the clip of Figure 8. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the circled area designated as 10 in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a bottom view of the clip of Figure 8 when in a closed position. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a clip with a locating feature according to a fourth embodiment when in an open position.

Figure 13 is a top view of the clip of Figure 12. Figure 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the clip taken along line 14-14 of

Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the clip taken along line 15-15 of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is an end view of the clip of Figure 12 when in the open position. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the clip of Figure 12 when in a closed position. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the clip taken along line 18-18 of Figure 17.

Detailed Description Referring to Figures 1-3, a retainer or clip for a flat flexible cable is generally shown at 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In general, the clip 10 comprises a first closure member 12 and a second closure 14 member connected by a hinge member 16. The hinge member 16 may have a smaller thickness than the first and second closure members 12, 14, thereby forming a living hinge, or the like, for allowing the first and second closure members 12, 14 to hinge relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the first closure member 12, the second closure 14 and the hinge member 16 are integrally formed as a single piece. The clip 10 may be formed from any number of non-conducting materials, such as, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, or the like. As illustrated, the clip 10 also includes a retaining member 18 similar to a conventional "Christmas tree" retainer, as is known in the art. The retaining member 18 comprises a plurality of truncated flat surfaces 18a generally forming the shape of a cone. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the retaining member 18 may be substituted with any other type of mounting clip, stud and other known equivalents can be used. For example, the retaining member 18 may comprise an adhesive, tape, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining member 18 is centrally located on the first closure member 12. However, it will be appreciated that the retaining member 18 can be located at any desirable location on the clip 10, such as, for example, on the second closure member 14. The first closure member 12 includes a top surface 20, a bottom surface 22 and side surfaces 26. The bottom surface 22 may have a substantially planar surface. However, the invention is not limited by the profile of the bottom surface 22. The bottom surface 22 includes a ledge 22a formed in one end of the bottom surface 22. The side surface 26 is angled with respect to the top and bottom surfaces 20, 22. A post 28 extends outwardly from the top surface 20 of the first closure member 12. The post 28 is generally circular in cross-sectional shape and has a diameter that is generally less than the space, S, between the conductors of a flat cable, shown generally at 50. For example, the diameter of the post 28 may be approximately 1.5mm and the space, S, between conductors 52 of the flat cable 50 may be approximately 2.2mm. It will be appreciated that the space, S, may vary depending on the width of the flat cable 50. As illustrated, the flat cable 50 includes a pair of conductors 52. However, it will be appreciated that the invention can be practiced with a flat cable having more than two conductors.

In this embodiment, the locating feature comprises the combination of the at least one aperture 54 in the flat cable 50 and the post 28 of the clip 10 such that when the post 28 is inserted through an aperture 54, the cable 50 is prevented from moving relative to the clip 10, while the clip 10 is located at a desired position along the flat cable 50. It will be appreciated that the flat cable 50 may include a plurality of apertures 54 to provide for several locations at which the clip 10 can be located along the flat cable 50.

The second closure member 14 includes a top surface 30, a bottom surface 32 and side surfaces 36. The bottom surface 32 may have a substantially planar surface. However, the invention is not limited by the profile of the bottom surface 32. As seen in Figure 3, the side surface 36 is generally C-shaped including a ledge 36a for engaging the ledge 22a of the first closure member 12 to retain the clip 10 in a closed position. The side surface 36 may be angled in a manner that is complimentary to the angled side surface 26 of the first closure member 12 so that the side surface 36 can easily engage the side surface 26 when snapping the clip 10 in the closed position.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the top surface 30 of the second closure member 14 includes a receiving recess 38 capable of receiving the post 28 extending from the top surface 20 of the first closure member 12. A thru-slot 40 may be formed in the top surface 30 of the second closure member 14 to accommodate relative rotational or twisting movement between the first and second closure members 12, 14 of the clip 10 to allowing the post 28 to enter the recess 38. It will be appreciated that the recess 38 and thru-slot 40 may be located at any desirable location that is complementary to the post 28. For example, the post 28 may be located toward an outer periphery of the top surface 20 of the first closure member 12, and therefore, the recess 38 and the thru-slot 40 would be located directly opposite the post 28 toward the outer periphery of the bottom surface 32 of the second closure member 14. In operation, the flat flexible cable 50 is placed over the first closure member 12 when the clip 10 is in an open position such that the aperture 54 in the cable 50 is aligned with the post 28 of the clip 10. Then, the post 28 is inserted through the aperture 54 in the cable 50 to locate the clip 10 at the desired location on the cable 50as shown in Figure 1-3. In this manner, the post 28, in conjunction with the aperture 54 in the cable 50, acts as a locating feature for the clip 10. It will be appreciated that the cable 50 can be provided with a plurality of apertures 54 along its length to provide several locations at which the clip 10 can be located. Then the first and second closure members 12, 14 are hinged about the hinge member 16 until the ledge 36a of the second closure member 14 engages the ledge 22a of the first closure member 12 to place the clip 10 in a closed position. When the clip 10 is in the closed position, the first and second closure members 12, 14 are in an interlocking relationship with each other. In addition, it will be appreciated that when the post 28 is received in the aperture 54, the cable 50 is prevented from movement relative to the clip 10, thereby preventing movement of the cable 50 and maintaining the clip 10 at the desired location along the cable 50. It will be appreciated that the first and second members 12, 14 of the clip 10 have a sufficient width to allow the cable 50 to be placed on the first member 12 and to be hinged about the hinge member 16 without interference by the cable 50. Referring now to Figures 4-7, a clip 100 with a locating feature is shown according to another embodiment of the invention. Similar to the clip 10, the clip 100 includes a first closure member 112, a second closure member 114 connected by a hinge member 116. The hinge member 116 may have a smaller thickness than the first and second closure members 112, 114, thereby forming a living hinge, or the like, for allowing the first and second closure members 112, 114 to hinge relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the first closure member 112, the second closure 114 and the hinge member 116 are integrally formed as a single piece. The clip 100 may be formed from any number of non-conducting materials, such as, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, or the like. As illustrated, the clip 100 also includes a retaining member 118 similar to a conventional "Christmas tree" retainer, as is known in the art. The retaining member 118 comprises a plurality of truncated flat surfaces 118a generally forming the shape of a cone. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the retaining member 118 may be substituted with any other type of mounting clip, stud and other known equivalents can be used. For example, the retaining member 118 may comprise an adhesive, tape, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining member 118 is centrally located on the first closure member 112. However, it will be appreciated that the retaining member 118 can be located at any desirable location on the clip 100, such as, for example, on the second closure member 114.

The first closure member 112 includes a top surface 120, a bottom surface 122 and the sidewalls or side surfaces 124, 126. The bottom surface 122 may have a substantially planar surface. However, the invention is not limited by the profile of the bottom surface 122. The side surfaces 124, 126 are separated by a width, W, approximately equal to a width of a flat cable 150. For example, the width, W, may be approximately 11.0mm. The flat cable 150 includes a pair of conductors 152 and at least one pair of cutouts 154 formed in the side surfaces of the cable 150. At least one of the side surfaces 124, 126 includes a rib limiter or projecting nib 128 that cooperates with the at least one cutout 154 of the cable 150. In this embodiment, the locating feature comprises the combination of the rib limiter or projecting nib 128 on the clip 100 and the cutout 154 on the cable 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the rib limiter or projecting nib 128 is provided on each side surface 124, 126 opposite each other. However, it will be appreciated that the flat cable 150 can be provided with a plurality of pairs of cutouts 154 disposed substantially opposite each other along the flat cable 150, thereby providing a plurality of locations at which the clip 100 may be located along the flat cable 150. In addition, it is not necessary that the nibs 128 and corresponding cutouts 154 be provided opposite each other, and that the invention can be practiced with a pair of cutouts 154 that are offset from each other.

As illustrated, the flat cable 150 includes a pair of conductors 152 that may be substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape. However, it will be appreciated that the invention can be practiced with a flat cable having more than two conductors.

The second closure member 114 includes a top surface 130, a bottom surface 132 and sidewalls or side surfacesl34, 136. The bottom surface 132 may have a substantially planar surface. However, the invention is not limited by the profile of the bottom surface 132. In operation, the flat flexible cable 150 is placed on the top surface 120 of the first closure member 102 when the clip 100 is in an open position such that the cutouts 154 in the cable 150 are aligned with the nibs 128 of the clip 100. It will be appreciated that the cable 150 may be provided with a plurality of cutouts 154 to allow the clip 100 to be located at a plurality of locations along the cable 150. Then, the first and second closure members 112, 114 are hinged about the hinge member 116 until the first and second closure members 112, 114 are snapped together to place the clip 100 in a closed position. When the clip 100 is in the closed position, movement of the cable 150 is prevented relative to the clip 100, thereby maintaining the clip 100 at the desired location along the cable 150.

As described above, the locating feature is formed by a mechanical interlock between the clip and the cable that prevents relative movement between the clip and the cable. For example, in the first embodiment, the locating feature comprises the combination of the at least one aperture 54 in the flat cable 50 and the post 28 of the clip 10. In the second embodiment, the locating feature comprises the combination of the rib limiter or projecting nib 128 on the clip 100 and the cutout 154 on the cable 150.

However, a mechanical interlock between both the cable and the clip is not necessary to provide a locating feature that prevents relative movement between cable and the clip and maintain the clip at a desired location along the cable.

Referring to Figures 8-11, a retainer or clip for a flat flexible cable is generally shown at 200 according to a third embodiment. Similar to the clip 10, the clip 200 comprises a first closure portion 212 and a second closure 214 portion connected by a hinge portion 216. The hinge portion 216 may have a smaller thickness than the first and second closure portions 212, 214, thereby forming a living hinge, or the like, for allowing the first and second closure portions 212, 214 to hinge relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the first closure portion 212, the second closure 214 and the hinge portion 216 are integrally formed as a single piece. The clip 200 may be formed from any number of materials, such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, or the like.

As illustrated, the clip 200 also includes a retaining member 218 similar to a conventional "Christmas tree" retainer as is known in the art. The retaining member 218 comprises a plurality of truncated flat surfaces 218a generally forming the shape of a cone. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the retaining member 218 may be substituted with any other type of mounting clip, stud and other known equivalents can be used. For example, the retaining member 218 may comprise an adhesive, tape, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining member 218 is centrally located on the second closure portion 214. However, it will be appreciated that the retaining member 218 can be located at any desired location on the clip 200, such as, for example, on the first closure portion 212.

The first closure portion 212 includes a top surface 220, a bottom surface 222 and side surfaces 224, 226. The top surface 220 includes one or more nibs 228 in the form of small semi-spherical shaped projections. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 220 includes a pair of nibs 228 that are substantially aligned along a central axis 229 of the clip 200, as shown in Figure 11. However, the invention is not limited by the number or location of the nibs 228, and that the invention can be practiced with a lesser or greater number of nibs 228 that can be located at any position on the top surface 220. The side surface 224 includes one or more truncated flat surfaces 224a for cooperating with the second closure portion 214 to place the clip 200 in a closed position, as described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the side surface 224 includes three truncated flat surfaces 224a. However, the invention is not limited by the number of truncated flat surfaces 224a.

The second closure portion 214 includes a top surface 230, a bottom surface 232 and side surfaces 234, 236. Similar to the top surface 220, the top surface 230 includes one or more nibs 238 in the form of small semi-spherical shaped projections. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 230 includes three nibs 238 that are substantially aligned along the central axis 229 of the clip 200, as shown in Figure 11. It should be noted that the nibs 228 of the first closure portion 212 are disposed between the nibs 238 of the second closure portion 214 along the central axis 229 of the clip 200. However, the invention is not limited by the number or location of the nibs 238, and that the invention can be practiced with a lesser or greater number of nibs 238 that can be located at any position on the top surface 230. For example, the nibs 228, 238 can be positioned offset from one another and not aligned along the central axis 229 of the clip 200. It should be noted that the nibs 228, 238 are spaced at an unequal distance from one another, i.e., the nibs 228, 238 are not equidistant to each other. However, the spacing between the nibs 228, 238 are such that, when the nibs 228, 238 engage a flat, flexible cable 50, the cable 50 forms an undulated profile when the clip 200 is placed in a closed position. The side surface 234 includes at least one truncated flat surfaces 234a for cooperating and forming an interlocking relationship with the truncated flat surfaces 224a of the first closure portion 212 by hinging the clip 200 about the hinge portion 216 and snapping the truncated flat surface 234a into one of the truncated flat surfaces 224a to place the clip 200 in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the side surface 234 includes one truncated flat surface 234a. However, the invention may be practiced with a greater number of truncated flat surfaces 234a, if desired. The side surface 234 may also include an outwardly extending tab 234b for causing the side surface 234 to flex when pressure is applied to the tab 234b by the user. In this manner, the clip 200 can be moved from a closed position in which the truncated flat surfaces 224a, 234a are in an interlocking relationship, and placed in an open position in which the truncated flat surfaces 224a, 234a are no longer in an interlocking relationship, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the truncated flat surfaces 224a, 234a extend along the entire length of the side surfaces 224, 234 of the clip 200, as shown in Figure 8. However, it will be appreciated that the truncated flat surfaces 224a, 234a are not required to extend along the entire length of the side surfaces 224, 234.

In operation, a flat flexible cable 250 is placed on one of the first and second closure portions 212, 214 when the clip 200 is in an open position such that the clip 200 is placed at a desired location on the cable 250. Then, the first and second closure portions 212, 214 are hinged about the hinge portion 216 until the truncated flat surface 234a interlocks with one of the truncated flat surfaces 224a to snap together the first and second closure portions 212, 214 in an interlocking relationship to place the clip 200 in the closed position. When the clip 200 is in the closed position, the nibs 228 of the first closure portion 212 and the nibs 238 of the second closure portion 214 frictionally engage the cable 250, thereby causing the cable 250 to form an undulated profile and preventing the cable 250 from movement relative to the clip 200. Thus, the locating feature in this embodiment comprises the nibs 228, 238 on the clip 200 that frictionally engage the cable 250.

Referring to Figures 12-18, a clip or retainer for a flat flexible cable is generally shown at 300 according to a fourth embodiment. In general, the clip 300 comprises a first closure portion 312 and a second closure 314 portion connected by a hinge portion 316. The hinge portion 316 may have a smaller thickness than the first and second closure portions 312, 314, thereby forming a living hinge, or the like, for allowing the first and second closure portions 312, 314 to hinge relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the first closure portion 312, the second closure 314 and the hinge portion 16 are integrally formed as a single piece. The clip 300 may be formed from any number of materials, such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, or the like. Unlike the earlier embodiments, the clip 300 does not include a retaining member.

As illustrated, the clip 300 also includes a retaining member 318 similar to a conventional "Christmas tree" retainer as is known in the art. The retaining member 318 comprises a plurality of truncated flat surfaces 318a generally forming the shape of a cone. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the retaining member 318 may be substituted with any other type of mounting clip, stud and other known equivalents can be used. For example, the retaining member 318 may comprise an adhesive, tape, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining member 318 is centrally located on the second closure portion 314. However, it will be appreciated that the retaining member 318 can be located at any desired location on the clip 300, such as, for example, on the first closure portion 312.

The first closure portion 312 includes a top surface 320, a bottom surface 322 and side surfaces 324, 326. The top surface 320 comprises an undulated surface in the form a sinusoidal or S-shaped profile, as seen in Figures 12 and 14. The undulated top surface 320 is defined by a series of peaks and valleys having a difference, ΔH, in height in the range of about 0.5 to about 4.0mm. For example, the difference in height, ΔH, between the peaks and valleys can be about 2.0mm. Unlike the top surface 320, the profile of the bottom surface 322 may be substantially planar. However, the invention is not limited by the profile of the bottom surface 322, and the bottom surface 322 may not be planar. The side surface 324 includes one or more substantially identical attachment portions, shown generally at 328, extending outwardly from the side surface 324, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. Each attachment portion 328 includes one or more outwardly extending tabs 328a, 328b. If desired, the tab 328b may extend outward further from the side surface 324 than the tab 328a. The purpose of the tabs 328a, 328b will be described in more detail below.

The second closure portion 314 includes a top surface 330, a bottom surface 332 and side surfaces 334, 336. Similar to the top surface 320, the top surface 330 comprises an undulated surface in the form a sinusoidal or S-shaped profile, as seen in Figure 12. The undulated top surface 330 is defined by a series of peaks and valleys having a difference, ΔH, in height in the range of about 0.5 to about 4.0mm. For example, the difference in height, ΔH, between the peaks and valleys can be about 2.0mm, similar to the undulated top surface 320. As shown in Figure 12, the peak of the top surface 330 of the second closure portion 314 may correspond to a valley of the top surface 320 of the first closure portion 312. Conversely, the valley of the top surface 330 of the second closure portion 314 may coincide with a corresponding peak of the top surface 320 of the first closure portion 312 such that the top surfaces 320, 330 mate with each other.

The profile of the bottom surface 332 may be substantially planar. However, the invention is not limited by the profile of the bottom surface 332. The side surface 334 includes at least one attachment portion, shown generally at 338, extending outwardly from the side surface 34 and along the entire length of the clip 300, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. However, it will be appreciated that the attachment portion 338 may be provided on the side surface 334 in a one-to-one correspondence with the attachment portions 328 of the first closure portion 312. For example, there may be three attachment portions 328 and three corresponding attachment portions 338, rather than a single attachment portion 338 running the entire length of the side surface 334. The attachment portion 338 includes a tab 338a for engaging the tabs 328a, 328b of the attachment portion 328 such that the first and second closure portions 312, 314 are capable of interlocking with one another by hinging the clip 300 about the hinge portion 316 and snapping the attachment portion 338 into the attachment portions 328. As seen in Figure 15, the second closure portion 314 may include one or more thru-slots 340 for allowing insertion of a tool, such as a screwdriver, or the like, to unsnap the first and second closure portions 312, 314, if desired.

In operation, a flat flexible cable 350 is placed on one of the first and second closure portions 312, 314 when the clip 300 is in an open position and the clip 300 is placed at a desired location on the cable 350. Then the first and second closure portions 312, 314 are hinged about the hinge portion 316 until the attachment portions 328, 338 snap together in an interlocking relationship to place the clip 300 in a closed position, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. When the clip 300 is in the closed position, the first and second closure portions 312, 314 frictionally engage the cable 350 and prevent the cable 350 from moving relative to the clip 300. Thus, the locating feature in this embodiment comprises the undulated surfaces of the clip 300.

The embodiments disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with novel aspects of the invention. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A clip (10, 100, 200, 300) for a flat cable (50, 150, 250, 350), comprising: a first closure member (12, 112, 212, 312) having a top surface (20, 120, 220,

320), a bottom surface (22, 122, 222, 322) and a side surface (26, 124, 126, 224, 226, 324, 326); a second closure member (14, 114, 214, 314) having a top surface (30, 130, 230, 330), a bottom surface (32, 132, 232, 332) and a side surface (36, 134, 136, 234, 236, 334, 336); a hinge member (16, 116, 216, 316) for hingedly connecting the first and second closure members; and a locating feature (28, 54, 128, 154, 228, 238, 320, 330) for preventing movement of a flat cable relative to said clip when said clip is placed in a closed position.

2. The clip according to Claim 1, wherein said locating feature comprises a post (28) extending from one of said first and second closure members (12, 14) and an aperture (54) in the other one of said first and second closure members (12, 14) capable of receiving said post (28).

3. The clip according to Claim 2, wherein said clip (10) is positioned at a desired location by inserting said post (28) through the aperture (54) formed in said cable (50).

4. The clip according to Claim 1, wherein said locating feature comprises a nib (128) extending from a sidewall of one of said first and second closure members (112, 114) and a cutout (154) located in said flat cable (150).

5. The clip according to Claim 4, wherein said clip (100) is positioned at a desired location by inserting said nib (128) into said cutout (154) formed in said flat cable (150).

6. The clip according to Claim 1, further comprising a retaining member (18, 118, 218, 318) extending outwardly from one of said first and second closure members.

7. The clip according to Claim 1, wherein said locating feature comprises at least one nib (228, 238) extending from one of the top surfaces (220, 230) of said first and second closure members (212, 214).

8. The clip according to Claim 7, wherein said at least one nib (228, 238) is located along a central axis (229) of said clip (200).

9. The clip according to Claim 7, wherein one of said side surfaces (224) of said first closure portion (212) includes at least one truncated flat surface (224a), and wherein one of said side surfaces (234) of said second closure portion (214) includes at least one truncated flat surface (234a) for cooperating with said at least one truncated flat surface (224a) of said first closure portion (224) in an interlocking relationship to place said clip (200) in the closed position.

10. The clip according to Claim 9, wherein one of said first and second closure portions (212, 214) include an outwardly extending tab (234b) for placing said clip (200) from the closed position to an open position.

11. The clip according to Claim 7, wherein said at least one nib causes (228, 238) said cable (250) to form an undulated profile when said clip (200) is placed in the closed position.

12. The clip according to Claim 7, wherein said at least one nib (228, 238) is semi-spherical in shape.

13. The clip according to Claim 1, wherein said locating feature comprises an undulated profile formed in at least one of said top surfaces (320, 330) of said first and second closure members (312, 314).

14. The retainer according to Claim 13, wherein both top surfaces (320, 330) have an undulated profile.

15. The retainer according to Claim 14, wherein a valley of the top surface

(330) of the second closure portion (314) coincides with a corresponding peak of the top surface (320) of the first closure portion (312) such that the top surfaces (320, 330) mate with each other.

16. The retainer according to Claim 14, wherein a valley of said top surface (330) of the second closure portion (314) is offset with respect to a corresponding peak of said top surface (320) of said first closure portion (312).

17. The retainer according to Claim 13, wherein said undulated profile is sinusoidal in shape.

18. The retainer according to Claim 13, wherein said undulated profile is defined by a series of peaks and valleys having a difference, ΔH, in height in a range of about 0.5 to about 4.0mm.