Clip installation tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9833888-B2
Application number	US-201514687822-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 15, 2015
Priority date	Apr 15, 2015
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

An installation tool for a two-stage clip is described. The tool includes a base element and a plunger element. The base element can include a plunger installation cavity and a clip receiving cavity. At least a portion of the plunger element can be retainably engaged in base element. The plunger element can be movable within the base element between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, a portion of the plunger element can extend into the clip receiving cavity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clip installation tool comprising:
a base element, the base element including a plunger insertion cavity and a clip receiving cavity, the base element including a connecting passage connecting between the plunger insertion cavity and the clip receiving cavity, the connecting passage including a keyway along a first portion of the length of the connecting passage, a first end of the keyway opening to the plunger insertion cavity, the connecting passage including a guide passage along a second portion of the length of the connecting passage, the guide passage being offset from the keyway, the guide passage being in communication with the keyway by a transfer passage in the base element, a second end of the keyway opening to the transfer passage; and
a plunger element, at least a portion of the plunger element being retainably received in the base element, the plunger element being movable within the base element between a retracted position and an extended position, a portion of the plunger element extending into the clip receiving cavity in the extended position, the plunger element including a shaft portion having a retention element thereon, the plunger element having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal direction,
the keyway, the guide passage, and the transfer passage being configured to receive the retention element,
when the retention element is received in the keyway or in the guide passage, the plunger element being movable substantially in the longitudinal direction,
when the retention element is received in the transfer passage, the plunger element being selectively rotatable substantially about the longitudinal axis, whereby the retention element is selectively circumferentially movable within the transfer passage between the keyway and the guide passage.

2. The clip installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the base element includes a handle.

3. The clip installation tool of claim 2 , wherein the plunger element includes a pad portion and a shaft portion, and wherein the pad portion is transverse to the shaft portion.

4. The clip installation tool of claim 3 , wherein, when the retention element is received in the guide passage, the handle and the pad portion extend in substantially the same direction.

5. The clip installation tool of claim 3 , wherein the pad portion is configured for engagement by at least a portion of a human palm, and wherein the handle is configured for engaged by one or more human fingers.

6. The clip installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the clip receiving cavity is configured to retainably engage a two-stage clip.

7. The clip installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the base element and the plunger element are configured to establish a maximum extended position of the plunger element.

8. The clip installation tool of claim 7 , wherein the plunger insertion cavity includes a wall, wherein the plunger element includes a shoulder, and wherein movement of the plunger element along a longitudinal axis of the plunger element is limited by contact between the wall and the shoulder.

9. A clip installation tool comprising:
a base element, the base element including a plunger insertion cavity and a clip receiving cavity, the clip receiving cavity being configured to retainably engage a two-stage clip having a first stage configured as an elongated protrusion and a second stage that is configured with a generally circular cross-sectional shape, the clip receiving cavity including a plurality of protrusions extending from an inner peripheral surface of the clip receiving cavity, the protrusions being configured to contact the second stage of the two-stage clip, whereby the plurality of protrusions retainably engage the two-stage clip; and
a plunger element, at least a portion of the plunger element being retainably received in the base element, the plunger element being movable within the base element between a retracted position and an extended position, a portion of the plunger element extending into the clip receiving cavity in the extended position such that the plunger element contacts the second stage of the two-stage clip.

10. The clip installation tool of claim 9 , wherein the base element includes a connecting passage connecting between the plunger insertion cavity and the clip receiving cavity, wherein the connecting passage including a keyway along at least a portion of its length, wherein the plunger element includes a shaft portion having a retention element thereon, wherein the plunger element having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal direction, wherein the retention element is configured to be received in the keyway, and
wherein, when the retention element is received in the keyway, the plunger element being movable substantially in the longitudinal direction.

11. The clip installation tool of claim 10 , wherein the connecting passage includes a guide passage configured to receive the retention element, wherein the guide passage is offset from the keyway, wherein the guide passage is in communication with the keyway by a transfer passage in the base element,
wherein, when the retention element is received in the guide passage, the plunger element being movable substantially in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein, when the retention element is received in the transfer passage, the plunger element being rotatable substantially about the longitudinal axis, whereby the retention element is selectively movable circumferentially within the transfer passage between the keyway and the guide passage.

12. A clip installation tool comprising:
a base element, the base element including a handle, the base element including a plunger insertion cavity and a clip receiving cavity, the base element including a connecting passage connecting between the plunger insertion cavity and the clip receiving cavity, the clip receiving cavity being configured to retainably engage a two-stage clip having a first stage configured as an elongated protrusion and a second stage that is configured with a generally circular cross-sectional shape,
the clip receiving cavity being substantially circular and configured to receive at least a portion of the second stage of the two-stage clip, the clip receiving cavity having an associated length; and
a plunger element, at least a portion of the plunger element being retainably received in the base element, the plunger element being movable within the base element between a retracted position and an extended position, a portion of the plunger element extending into the clip receiving cavity in the extended position, and the plunger element including a pad portion and a shaft portion, the pad portion being transverse to the shaft portion,
the base element and the plunger element being configured to establish a maximum extended position of the plunger element, and
wherein, in the maximum extended position, the plunger element extends less than the entire length of the clip receiving cavity.

13. The clip installation tool of claim 12 , wherein the pad portion is configured for engagement by at least a portion of a human palm, and wherein the handle is configured for engaged by one or more human fingers.

14. The clip installation tool of claim 12 , wherein the connecting passage includes a keyway along at least a portion of its length, wherein the plunger element includes a shaft portion having a retention element thereon, wherein the plunger element having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal direction, and wherein the retention element is configured to be received in the keyway, and
wherein, when the retention element is received in the keyway, the plunger

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Lambert Jeffrey D

Classifications

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• Y10T24/45236

  Multiple catch [e.g., with pivoted gate] · CPC title

• Y10T24/30

  Trim molding fastener · CPC title

• Y10T29/53909

  Means comprising hand manipulatable tool · CPC title

• B25B31/00 Primary

  Hand tools for applying fasteners (nailing or stapling tools B25C) · CPC title