Fastening clip assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017335877-A1
Application number	US-201515522443-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 26, 2015
Priority date	Nov 4, 2014
Publication date	Nov 23, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fastening clip assembly is configured to secure to a component, and may include four retaining legs that are configured to directly contact portions of the component to provide four points of contact with the component, and a central pedestal including a central beam and two angled retaining beams extending from the central beam. The two angled retaining beams are configured to exert a triangular retaining force into the component.

First claim

1 . A fastening clip assembly configured to secure to a component, the fastening clip assembly comprising:
four retaining legs that are configured to directly contact portions of the component to provide four points of contact with the component; and a central pedestal including a central beam and two angled retaining beams extending from the central beam, wherein the two angled retaining beams are configured to exert a triangular retaining force into the component.

2 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the four retaining legs and the central pedestal are integrally molded and formed together.

3 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the four retaining legs and the central pedestal are configured to securely connect the fastening clip assembly to a round opening of the component.

4 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a beveled lead-in nose connected to the central pedestal, wherein the beveled lead-in nose is configured to guide the fastening clip assembly into a round opening of the component.

5 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of four retaining legs comprises a flexible root connected to an outwardly-extending angled extension beam, which, in turn, connects to an inwardly-canted ramp, wherein the inwardly-canted ramp is configured to compressively abut into an internal edge of a round opening of the component.

6 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the four retaining legs are regularly spaced about a central longitudinal axis of the fastening clip assembly.

7 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a lead-in nose and an annular collar, wherein the central beam provides a bracing support between the lead-in nose and the annular collar, wherein the bracing support resists crushing.

8 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 7 , further comprising an annular seal secured to the annular collar.

9 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the two angled retaining beams form two legs of an isosceles triangle.

10 . A securing system comprising:
a component having a round opening; and a fastening clip assembly secured to the component, the fastening clip assembly comprising:
four retaining legs that directly contact portions of the component proximate to the round opening to provide four points of contact with the component; and
a central pedestal including a central beam and two angled retaining beams extending from the central beam, wherein the two angled retaining beams exert a triangular retaining force into the component.

11 . The securing system of claim 10 , wherein the four retaining legs and the central pedestal are integrally molded and formed together.

12 . The securing system of claim 10 , wherein the four retaining legs and the central pedestal securely connect the fastening clip assembly to the round opening of the component.

13 . The securing system of claim 10 , wherein the fastening clip assembly further comprises a beveled lead-in nose connected to the central pedestal, wherein the beveled lead-in nose guides the fastening clip assembly into the round opening of the component.

14 . The securing system of claim 10 , wherein each of four retaining legs comprises a flexible root connected to an outwardly-extending angled extension beam, which, in turn, connects to an inwardly-canted ramp, wherein the inwardly-canted ramp compressively abuts into an internal edge of the round opening of the component.

15 . The securing system of claim 10 , wherein the four retaining legs are regularly spaced about a central longitudinal axis of the fastening clip assembly.

16 . The securing system of claim 10 , wherein the fastening clip assembly further comprises a lead-in nose and an annular collar, wherein the central beam provides a bracing support between the lead-in nose and the annular collar, wherein the bracing support resists crushing.

17 . The securing system of claim 16 , wherein the fastening clip assembly further comprising an annular seal secured to the annular collar.

18 . The securing system of claim 16 , wherein the two angled retaining beams form two legs of an isosceles triangle.

19 . A fastening clip assembly configured to secure to a component, the fastening clip assembly comprising:
four retaining legs that are configured to directly contact portions of the component to provide four points of contact with the component, wherein each of four retaining legs comprises a flexible root connected to an outwardly-extending angled extension beam, which, in turn, connects to an inwardly-canted ramp, wherein the inwardly-canted ramp is configured to compressively abut into an internal edge of a round opening of the component, wherein the four retaining legs are regularly spaced about a central longitudinal axis of the fastening clip assembly; a central pedestal including a central beam and two angled retaining beams extending from the central beam, wherein the two angled retaining beams form two legs of an isosceles triangle, wherein the two angled retaining beams are configured to exert a triangular retaining force into the component, wherein the four retaining legs and the central pedestal are configured to securely connect the fastening clip assembly to the round opening of the component; an annular collar connected to the central pedestal; and a beveled lead-in nose connected to the central pedestal, wherein the beveled lead-in nose is configured to guide the fastening clip assembly into the round opening of the component, wherein the central beam provides a bracing support between the lead-in nose and the annular collar, wherein the bracing support resists crushing, wherein the four retaining legs, the central pedestal, the annular collar, and the beveled lead-in nose are integrally molded and formed together as a single piece.

20 . The fastening clip assembly of claim 19 , further comprising an annular seal secured to the annular collar.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Steltz Jeffrey J

Classifications

• F16B5/0657

  at least one of the plates providing a raised structure, e.g. of the doghouse type, for connection with the clamps or clips of the other plate · CPC title

• F16B5/0621

  in parallel relationship (fastened by a drive-pin F16B19/1081; fastened by a device locking by rotation F16B21/02) · 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

• F16B21/082

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

• F16B5/0642 Primary

  the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other · CPC title