Air tight sealing support clip for attaching fluid-carrying tube to substrate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10006566-B2
Application number	US-201615056021-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 29, 2016
Priority date	Feb 29, 2016
Publication date	Jun 26, 2018
Grant date	Jun 26, 2018

Abstract

A support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube or line to a substrate is disclosed that provides an air tight seal on a single fluid-carrying tube or line or on multiple fluid-carrying tubes or lines when the tubes are secured between two different surfaces. The support clip has two mated elastomeric surfaces defined by upper and lower halves that account for minor surface-to-surface variations while still maintaining an air tight seal. The lower half is attached to a vehicle substrate by a locating anchor. Each half has a rigid body and an elastomeric portion. The rigid body maintains the form of the elastomeric portion. At least one tube-holding channel is formed in the elastomeric portion of each of half. When the two halves are fastened together by an interference fit, the air tight seal is established. The halves may be fastened together by a variety of mechanical arrangements.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate comprising:
a lower portion having a lower rigid body and a lower elastomeric portion having an inner portion and an outer portion, a lower tube-holding channel being formed in said inner portion, a substantial portion of said lower rigid body being positioned between said inner portion and said outer portion; and
an upper portion having an upper rigid body and an upper elastomeric portion having an upper tube-holding channel, said upper portion being lockingly attachable to said lower portion,
wherein the tube is held between said tube-holding channels when said upper portion is attached to said lower portion.

2. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 1 , further including a locating anchor fixed to said lower portion.

3. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 1 , further including a metal insert attached to at least one of said rigid bodies.

4. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 1 , wherein said upper elastomeric portion includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and an upper gap provided between said inner portion and said outer portion, said upper tube-holding channel being formed in said inner portion, a substantial portion of said upper rigid body being positioned within said upper gap.

5. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 1 , including a mechanical fastener for attaching said upper portion to said lower portion.

6. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 5 , wherein said mechanical fastener includes a clasp formed on one or the other of said upper portion and said lower portion and a clasp receptacle formed on the other of said upper portion and said lower portion.

7. A support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate comprising:
a lower portion including a lower elastomeric portion and a lower rigid body, said lower elastomeric portion including a lower tube-holding channel, said lower rigid body including an anchor extending through said lower elastomeric portion; and
an upper portion attachable to said lower portion, said upper portion including an upper rigid body and an upper elastomeric portion with an upper tube-holding channel formed therein,
wherein the tube is held between said tube-holding channels when said upper portion is attached to said lower portion.

8. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 7 , further including a metal insert attached to at least one of said rigid bodies.

9. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 7 , wherein said lower elastomeric portion includes an inner portion and an outer portion and wherein a substantial portion of said lower rigid body is fitted therebetween.

10. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 7 , wherein said upper elastomeric portion includes an inner portion and an outer portion and wherein a substantial portion of said upper rigid body is fitted therebetween.

11. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 7 , including a mechanical fastener for attaching said upper portion to said lower portion.

12. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 11 , wherein said mechanical fastener includes a clasp formed on one or the other of said upper portion and said lower portion and a clasp receptacle formed on the other of said upper portion and said lower portion.

13. A support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate comprising:
a first fluid seal including a first rigid body having an outer perimeter and a first elastomeric portion having a half-moon shaped channel formed therein, said first elastomeric portion encircling said outer perimeter of said first rigid body;
a second fluid seal having a half-moon shaped channel formed therein, said channel of said first fluid seal being positionable over said channel of said second fluid seal thereby forming a fluid-carrying tube passage therebetween; and
a fastener for attaching said first fluid seal to said second fluid seal.

14. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 13 , further including a locating anchor fixed to one of said fluid seals.

15. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 13 , further including a metal insert attached to at least one of said fluid seals.

16. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 13 , wherein said a first elastomeric portion has an inner portion and an outer portion and wherein a substantial portion of said first rigid body is fitted therebetween.

17. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 13 , wherein said second fluid seal includes a second rigid body and a second elastomeric portion having an inner and an outer portion and wherein a substantial portion of said second rigid body is fitted therebetween.

18. The support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube to a substrate of claim 13 , wherein said fastener includes a clasp formed on one of said fluid seals and a clasp receptacle formed on the other of said fluid seals.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Callahan Janet
• Cutler Scott
• Clark Michael

Classifications

• F16L58/00

  Protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation (compound tubes F16L9/14) · CPC title

• F16L3/1091

  with two members, the two members being fixed to each other with fastening members on each side · CPC title

• F16L3/237 Primary

  for two pipes · CPC title