Fastening clip assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10914336-B2
Application number	US-201615533896-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2016
Priority date	Jan 22, 2015
Publication date	Feb 9, 2021
Grant date	Feb 9, 2021

Abstract

A fastening clip assembly is configured to securely connect to a component, and may include at least one engagement member that is configured to securely engage a portion of the component. The engagement member(s) may include an angle-compensating surface that is configured to allow the fastening clip assembly to securely connect to the component over a range of angles.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fastening clip assembly that is configured to securely connect to at least one component, the fastening clip assembly comprising:
a collar having a lower surface connected to an upper surface; and
a panel-engaging retainer connected to and extending from the lower surface of the collar, the panel-engaging retainer including opposed angled engagement members that connect to a central beam at a lead-in nose, the lower surface of the collar and the panel-engaging retainer are configured to securely engage a portion of the at least one component therebetween, wherein the central beam defines a central longitudinal axis,
wherein each of the opposed angled engagement members comprises an intermediate extension that outwardly flares from the lead-in nose to a base, wherein the base connects to the intermediate extension along a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, the base further connecting to an angle-compensating surface that is configured to allow the fastening clip assembly to securely engage the at least one component over a range of angles, and a tab having an outer surface that connects to the angle-compensating surface, the outer surface linearly extending from the angle-compensating surface toward the collar and being parallel to the central longitudinal axis when the angled engagement member is in an at-rest position,
wherein the angle-compensating surface extends from the base along a longitudinal axis that is upwardly angled from the intermediate extension toward the collar and inwardly angled from the intermediate extension toward the central beam, wherein the angle-compensating surface comprises lateral edges that connect to a rounded middle section, wherein the rounded middle section extends further toward the collar than the lateral edges, and wherein the fastening clip assembly is formed as a single, unitary body.

2. The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the collar has a lower surface and an upper surface, the upper surface defining a frustoconical shape.

3. The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opposed angled engagement members are configured to inwardly flex toward the central beam.

4. The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axes of the opposed angled engagement members and the central longitudinal axis of the central beam are disposed within a common plane.

5. The fastening clip assembly of claim 4 , wherein the rounded middle section extends from a base that is perpendicular to the common plane.

6. A system comprising:
a panel having a first side, a second side opposite from the first side, and an opening defined by an internal edge that extends between the first side and the second side; and
a fastening clip assembly having a portion positioned through the opening and secured to the panel, the fastening clip assembly comprising:
a collar having a lower surface connected to an upper surface, the upper surface defining a frustoconical shape; and
a panel-engaging retainer connected to and extending from the lower surface of the collar, the panel-engaging retainer including a central beam and opposed angled engagement members that securely engage a portion of the panel, a portion of the panel being between the collar and the opposed angled engagement, wherein each of the opposed angled engagement members comprises an intermediate extension that extends from the central beam to a base, wherein an angle-compensating surface extends from the base along a longitudinal axis and allows the fastening clip assembly to securely connect to the panel over a range of angles,
wherein the intermediate extension extends from the angle compensating surface at an angle toward the central beam, wherein the base connects to the intermediate extension along a plane that is perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis defined by the central beam, wherein the angle-compensating surface further comprises lateral edges that connect to a rounded middle section, and wherein the rounded middle section extends further toward the collar than the lateral edges.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the two opposed angled engagement members connect to the central beam proximate to a beveled lead-in nose.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the angle-compensating surface is angled with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the fastening clip assembly.

9. The fastening clip assembly of claim 6 , wherein the fastening clip assembly is formed as a single, unitary body.

10. The fastening clip assembly of claim 6 , wherein the lateral edges connect to and extend from the base.

11. The fastening clip assembly of claim 6 , wherein upwardly extending tabs extend from the angle-compensating surfaces toward the collar.

12. A fastening clip assembly that is configured to securely connect to at least one component, the fastening clip assembly comprising:
a collar having a lower surface connected to an upper surface, the upper surface defining a frustoconical shape; and
a panel-engaging retainer connected to and extending from the lower surface of the collar, the panel-engaging retainer including two opposed angled component engagement members that connect to a central beam at a lead-in nose, the lower surface of the collar and the panel-engaging retainer are configured to securely engage a portion of the at least one component therebetween, wherein the central beam defines a central longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the two opposed angled component engagement members comprises:
a distal end directly connected to the lead-in nose of the central beam;
an intermediate extension that outwardly extends with increased distance from the distal end, wherein the intermediate extension extends from the distal end to a component-engaging end, the component-engaging end including a base and being configured to engage a portion of the at least one component, and wherein the intermediate extension connects to the base at an edge that is disposed in along a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the central beam;
an angle-compensating surface at the component-engaging end, wherein the angle-compensating surface extends along a longitudinal axis that is upwardly angled from the base and the intermediate extension toward the collar and inwardly angled from the base and the intermediate extension toward the central beam so that the angle-compensating surface is angled with respect to the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the angle-compensating surface is configured to allow the fastening clip assembly to securely connect to the component over a range of angles; and
an upwardly extending tab that extends from the angle-compensating surface toward the collar, the upwardly extending tab being configured so that it is convex about and parallel to the central longitudinal axis when the corresponding angled component engagement member is in an at-rest position,

wherein the angle-compensating surface comprises lateral edges that connect to a rounded middle section, wherein the rounded middle section extends further toward the collar than the lateral edges, wherein the longitudinal axes of the two opposed angled component engagement members and the central longitudinal axis of the central beam are disposed within a common plane, and the two opposed angled component engagement members are configured to inwardly flex from the at-rest position toward the central beam, and wherein an internal edge extends from and connects the lateral edges of the angle-compensating surface to the tab so that the tab is narrower than the angle-compensating surface.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Edland David W

Classifications

• F16B21/082 Primary

  the stud, pin or spigot having two resilient parts on its opposite ends in order to connect two elements · CPC title

• F16B21/086 Primary

  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