Spring clip with frangible features indicating correct installation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10436233-B2
Application number	US-201715697951-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2017
Priority date	Sep 7, 2017
Publication date	Oct 8, 2019
Grant date	Oct 8, 2019

Abstract

A spring clip includes a first frangible feature extending between a first cantilever bar and a support post and a second frangible feature extending between a second cantilever bar and the support post. The frangible features provide a readily perceived indication of proper spring clip installation.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A spring clip, comprising:
a body including a base, a support post carried on said base, a first cantilever bar carried on said support post and a second cantilever bar carried on said support post;
a first frangible feature extending between said first cantilever bar and said support post, said first frangible feature including a first engineered break point and a second engineered break point; and
a second frangible feature extending between said second cantilever bar and said support post wherein said second frangible feature includes a third engineered break point and a fourth engineered break point and said first frangible feature and said second frangible feature are engineered to break in order to give an indication when said spring clip is properly installed in a workpiece.

2. The spring clip of claim 1 , wherein said first frangible feature has a first end connected to said first cantilever bar and a second end connected to said support post.

3. The spring clip of claim 2 , wherein said second frangible feature has a third end connected to said second cantilever bar and a fourth end connected to said support post.

4. The spring clip of claim 3 , wherein said first engineered break point is on said first frangible feature between said first end and said second end.

5. The spring clip of claim 4 , wherein said second engineered break point is on said first frangible feature between said first end and said second end, said first engineered break point being provided adjacent said first end.

6. The spring clip of claim 5 , wherein said third engineered break point on said second frangible feature is between said third end and said fourth end.

7. The spring clip of claim 6 , wherein said fourth engineered break point is on said second frangible feature between said third end and said fourth end, said third engineered break point being provided adjacent said third end.

8. The spring clip of claim 7 , further including a first surface recess in said base aligned with said first frangible feature.

9. The spring clip of claim 8 , further including a second surface recess in said base aligned with said second frangible feature.

10. The spring clip of claim 1 , wherein said first cantilever bar includes a first S-curve segment and said second cantilever bar includes a second S-curve segment.

11. The spring clip of claim 1 , further including a first tunable rib carried on said base adjacent a first distal end of said first cantilever bar.

12. The spring clip of claim 11 , further including a second tunable rib carried on said base adjacent a second distal end of said second cantilever bar.

13. The spring clip of claim 12 , further including a four-way locator carried on said base on one side of said support post.

14. The spring clip of claim 13 , wherein said four-way locator includes a first beveled sidewall.

15. The spring clip of claim 14 , wherein said four-way locator includes a second beveled sidewall.

16. The spring clip of claim 15 , wherein said first beveled sidewall has a first edge bevel and said second beveled sidewall has a second edge bevel wherein said first edge bevel is aligned with said second edge bevel.

17. The spring clip of claim 16 , wherein said first cantilever bar includes a first S-curve segment and said second cantilever bar includes a second S-curve segment.

18. The spring clip of claim 1 , further including a first tunable rib on said base adjacent a first distal end of said first cantilever bar and a second tunable rib on said base adjacent a second distal end of said second cantilever bar.

19. The spring clip of claim 1 , further including a four-way locator carried on said base on one side of said post.

20. The spring clip of claim 19 , wherein said four-way locator includes a first beveled sidewall and a second beveled sidewall.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Santillan Gutierrez Diego
• Rosas Vazquez Alejandro
• Paisano Rodriguez Fernando
• Lara Sandoval Jezahel

Classifications

• F16B21/086

  the shank of the stud, pin or spigot having elevations, ribs, fins or prongs intended for deformation or tilting predominantly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion · CPC title

• F16B5/12

  Fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates, e.g. rubber strips, decorative strips for motor vehicles, by means of clips (friction- grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00; fastening rods or tubular parts to flat surfaces at an angle F16B9/00) · CPC title

• Y10T24/44026

  for cooperating with aperture in supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured · CPC title

• Y10T24/309

  Plastic type · CPC title

• F16B5/065

  the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance · CPC title