Tube fastener system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12535094-B2
Application number	US-202318200738-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2023
Priority date	Jun 24, 2022
Publication date	Jan 27, 2026
Grant date	Jan 27, 2026

Abstract

Described is a tube fastener for securing at least one tube relative to a component. The tube fastener includes a bridge portion and a fastener portion. The bridge portion is configured to secure the at least one tube relative to one another via at least one tube pocket. Each of the at least one tube pocket comprises a crimp feature configured to provide resistance to slide forces imparted on the at least one tube. The fastener portion defines a central longitudinal axis and is configured to engage the component via an opening. The tube fastener can be fabricated as a unitary structure via an additive manufacturing technique.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A tube fastener for securing at least one tube relative to a component, the tube fastener comprising:
a bridge portion configured to secure the at least one tube via at least one tube pocket, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket includes a tubular-shaped inner surface, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket extends longitudinally from one end of the bridge portion to an opposite end of the bridge portion, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket includes a longitudinal opening extending along an entirety of the tube pocket disposed on one side of the bridge portion, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket comprises a crimp feature configured to provide resistance to slide forces imparted on the at least one tube, wherein the crimp feature includes an arcuate convex feature that protrudes radially inwardly into and circumferentially about a given tube pocket, wherein the crimp feature includes an arcuate concave feature that recedes outwardly from and circumferentially about a given tube pocket, and wherein the concave feature is opposite the convex feature such that a radial cross-sectional profile of a given tube pocket is asymmetrical; and a fastener portion defining a central longitudinal axis disposed on a side of the bridge portion opposite the opening to the at least one tube pocket and extending therefrom, wherein the fastener portion is configured to engage the component via an opening.

2 . The tube fastener of claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion and the fastener portion are fabricated as a unitary structure via an additive manufacturing technique.

3 . The tube fastener of claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion further comprises at least one tube retainer configured to prevent the at least one tube from exiting the at least one tube pocket.

4 . The tube fastener of claim 3 , wherein the at least one tube retainer comprises a divider and one or more wings.

5 . The tube fastener of claim 4 , wherein each of the one or more wings is resiliently connected to the divider and configured to deflect as the at least one tube is passed into the at least one tube pocket.

6 . The tube fastener of claim 4 , wherein each of the one or more wings comprises a foot position at a distal end thereof.

7 . The tube fastener of claim 4 , wherein each of the one or more wings defines one or more windows.

8 . The tube fastener of claim 1 , wherein the bridge portion includes a body that defines one or more windows.

9 . The tube fastener of claim 1 , wherein the fastener portion comprises a first plurality of fins distributed along the central longitudinal axis to define a first fin tier.

10 . The tube fastener of claim 9 , wherein the fastener portion comprises a second plurality of fins distributed along the central longitudinal axis to define a second fin tier that is offset relative to the first fin tier by a distance.

11 . A tube fastener for securing at least one tube relative to a component, the tube fastener comprising:
a bridge portion configured to secure the at least one tube via at least one tube pocket, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket includes a tubular-shaped inner surface, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket extends longitudinally from one end of the bridge portion to an opposite end of the bridge portion, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket includes a longitudinal opening extending along an entirety of the tube pocket disposed on one side of the bridge portion, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket comprises a crimp feature configured to provide resistance to slide forces imparted on the at least one tube, wherein the crimp feature includes an arcuate convex feature that protrudes radially inwardly into and circumferentially about a given tube pocket, wherein the crimp feature includes an arcuate concave feature that recedes outwardly from and circumferentially about a given tube pocket, and wherein the concave feature is opposite the convex feature such that a radial cross-sectional profile of a given tube pocket is asymmetrical; and a fastener portion defining a central longitudinal axis disposed on a side of the bridge portion opposite the opening to the at least one tube pocket and extending therefrom, wherein the fastener portion is configured to engage the component via an opening, wherein the bridge portion and the fastener portion are fabricated as a unitary structure via an additive manufacturing technique.

12 . The tube fastener of claim 11 , wherein the bridge portion further comprises at least one tube retainer configured to prevent the at least one tube from exiting the at least one tube pocket.

13 . The tube fastener of claim 12 , wherein the at least one tube retainer comprises a divider and one or more wings.

14 . The tube fastener of claim 13 , wherein each of the one or more wings is resiliently connected to the divider and configured to deflect as the at least one tube is passed into the at least one tube pocket.

15 . The tube fastener of claim 13 , wherein each of the one or more wings defines one or more windows.

16 . A tube fastener for securing at least one tube, the tube fastener comprising:
a bridge portion; and at least one tube pocket formed in or on the bridge portion and configured to secure the at least one tube relative to the bridge portion, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket includes a tubular-shaped inner surface, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket extends longitudinally from one end of the bridge portion to an opposite end of the bridge portion, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket includes a longitudinal opening extending along an entirety of the tube pocket disposed on one side of the bridge portion, wherein each of the at least one tube pocket comprises a crimp feature configured to provide resistance to slide forces imparted on the at least one tube, wherein the crimp feature includes an arcuate convex feature that protrudes radially inwardly into and circumferentially about a given tube pocket, wherein the crimp feature includes an arcuate concave feature that recedes outwardly from and circumferentially about a given tube pocket, and wherein the concave feature is opposite the convex feature such that a radial cross-sectional profile of a given tube pocket is asymmetrical, and wherein the tube fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure via an additive manufacturing technique.

17 . The tube fastener of claim 16 , wherein the bridge portion further comprises at least one tube retainer configured to prevent the at least one tube from exiting the at least one tube pocket.

18 . The tube fastener of claim 17 , wherein the at least one tube retainer comprises a divider and one or more wings.

19 . The tube fastener of claim 18 , wherein each of the one or more wings is resiliently connected to the divider and configured to deflect as the at least one tube is passed into the at least one tube pocket.

20 . The tube fastener of claim 18 , wherein each of the one or more wings defines one or more windows.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Benoit Thomas A

Classifications

• Y10T403/7188

  Rod received in open channel · CPC title

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• F16L3/13

  and engaging it by snap action {(F16L3/1203 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16B2/22

  of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material {(F16B2/205 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16B9/05 Primary

  by way of an intermediate member · CPC title