GB2420150A

GB2420150A - Resilient stud fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2420150A
Application number: GB0522937A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan James Peel
Original assignee: Piolax Ltd
Current assignee: Piolax Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-13
Filing date: 2005-11-10
Publication date: 2006-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-10
Also published as: GB0425096D0; GB0522937D0; JP2006138466A; GB2420150B

Abstract

Provided is a stud to give reliable retention of components without lowering operational efficiency for engagement of components to a vehicle body. The stud (10) comprises a head (12), an anchor (16), and a neck (14) arranged between the head and the anchor. The neck is inserted in a slot (31) of a mounting member (30) and is arranged to be retained therein by an interference fit. The neck (14) preferably includes round end portions (18) and a waist (20).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CLIPS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to clips. The present invention also relates to dog housings for use with clips, to vehicles including clips, and to methods of securing a component to a vehicle.

Background to the Invention

Clips are widely used in the automotive industry for securing components in place in or on the body of a vetiicle. is

As shown in Figure 1 and described in JP 57054710 a Knowi clip comprises a cylindrical neck 1 between a head 3 and an anchor 5. In use the neck 1 slides into a housing in a panel of a vehicle. The anchor 5 can then be pushed into a hole in a component, the component being held in place by the anchor 5.

Clips can also be used to fix exterior trim such as a bumper to a vehicle body. However, due to larger operational loads on exterior trim, retention problems have been encountered. Also, problems can arise if the anchor of a known clip is required to stay in fixed angular position relative to a slot or aperture of the housing in which it is received. That is, when the slot or aperture consists of, for example, a rectangular hole, it may be necessary to insert the anchor of the clip at a predetermined angle. However, the known clip is not provided with means for fixing the angle of the anchor, so it is necessary to adjust the angle of the anchor when the anchor is to be inserted into the rectangular hole.

it is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to give reliable retention of components without reducing efficiency in joining of components to a vehicle body.

Summary of the Invention

In order to address the above-mentioned aims, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip comprising a head, an anchor, and a neck arranged between the head and the anchor, wherein in use the neck is arranged to locate in a slot and be retained therein by an interference fit.

Suitably, the neck comprises a concave section.

Further, suitably, the neck comprises a rounded end portion. Furthermore, suitably, the neck comprises a waist arranged between rounded end portions. Suitably, the waist is narrower in cross section than the rounded end portions.

Suitably, the neck has 180 degree rotational symmetry.

Suitably, the neck is shaped to inhibit rotation of the clip in the slot.

Suitably, the head of the clip is arranged to be engaged with a slot formed in a mounting member and the anchor is arranged to be inserted into a mounting hole formed in a member on which mounting is to be effected, for connecting the mounting member with the member on which mounting is to be effected, the clip comprising: a head to be engaged with the slot, a neck extending from one surface of the head to be inserted into the slot, and an anchor extending from the side of the neck opposite to the head to be engaged with the mounting hole, wherein the neck has a cross-sectional configuration constituted of a length direction constituting the direction in which insertion into the slot is effected and a width direction perpendicular to the length direction, the length direction being longer than the width direction, and wherein both end portions of the neck extending in the length direction are longer in the width direction than an intermediate portion of the neck extending in the length direction.

Suitably, the neck extends from a centre of one surface of the head.

Suitably, in a state in which the neck has been completely inserted into the slot of the mounting member, four portions in total of the neck are in contact with the inner wall of the slot, and the neck is prevented from turning within the slot, thereby suppressing rotation of the mounting member with respect to the clip.

Suitably, the four portions of the neck in contact with the inner wall of the slot are located one at each side of both ends of the neck. In this way rattle of the clip is also reduced.

Thus, it is possible to mount the clip to the mounting member such that the anchor is directed in a predetermined direction with respect to the mounting member, and even when, for example, the mounting hole formed in the member on which mounting is to be effected consists of a rectangular hole, and it is necessary to insert the anchor in a predetermined direction, it is possible to effect mounting such that the anchor is so directed, thereby markedly facilitating the operation of fit-engaging the anchor of the clip with the mounting hole formed in the member on which mounting is to be effected.

Preferably, both end portions of the neck are formed as arcs in the crosssectional configuration, whose diameter constitutes a maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck, to be maximum width portions of the neck, and that other portion of the neck between the maximum width portions be formed to have a width smaller than the maximum width of the maximum width portion in the cross-sectional configuration.

In this construction, the end portions of the neck form an arcuate configuration. In this way the neck can be smoothly inserted into the slot of the mounting member without being caught by the inner periphery of the slot, thereby achieving an improvement in operational efficiency for assembly.

Further, it is preferred that the other portion of the neck between the maximum width portions be formed as a waist narrowed in a curved fashion along the arcuate configuration of the both end portions. In this construction, the outer periphery of the neck can be formed as a smooth surface, so that the clip can be inserted more smoothly into the slot. Further, even when the neck is press-fitted into the slot, it is possible to miLigate local concentration of stress, improving the neck in terms of rigidity.

Alternatively, it is preferred that the cross- sectional configuration of the neck be substantially rectangular, and that protrusions be formed at the both end portions of the neck extending in the length direction, the protrusions protruding in the width direction and constituting the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck. In this construction, the protrusions provided at the ends in the length direction of the cross section of the neck are held in press contact with the inner wall of the slot, so that it is possible to enhance the force acting to prevent detachment from the slot According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dog housing including a slot arranged to receive the neck of the clip according to the first aspect of the present invention and form an interference fit joint therewith.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle including the clip according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or the dog housing according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a component to a vehicle comprising steps of: (a) locating a neck of a clip in a slot on one of a vehicle body or a component to couple the slot to the neck with an interference fit joint; and (b) engaging an anchor portion of the clip to the other of the vehicle body or component to that in which the neck of the clip locates.

Suitably, the step (b) is performed before the step (a) . Alternatively, the step (a) may be performed before the step (b) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting structure for the clip according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a mounting member containing a slot into which a neck of the clip is inserted, comprising: a narrow slot portion contained in the slot of the mounting member, the slot portion being narrower than the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck of the clip, and a diverging slot end portion contained in the slot of the mounting member, the diverging slot end portion being provided at a depth of the narrow slot portion and having a width larger than the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck of the clip, wherein one end portion of the neck in the cross-sectional configuration enters into the diverging slot end portion, while the other end portion thereof being arranged within the narrow slot portion.

On inserting the neck of the clip into the slot of the mounting member, a click feel is experienced when the one end portion of the neck enters the diverging slot end portion, so that it is possible to reliably confirm that the neck has been completely inserted into the slot.

That is, the narrow slot portion is narrower than the end portion of the neck, so that, as the end portion of the neck is inserted into the narrow slot portion, it receives a resistance to the insertion from the inner wall of the slot. As the neck is continued to be forced in, the resistance to insertion from the inner wall of the slot gradually increases, making it difficult to effect the insertion; when, however, the end portion of the neck reaches the diverging slot end portion, the resistance to insertion from the slot is temporarily reduced, and this reduction in the resistance to insertion is sensed as the click feel.

Further, since one end portion of the neck is fit- engaged with the diverging slot end portion, it is possible to accurately determine the mounting position for the clip and to prevent the clip from being detached from the slot.

Further, since one end portion of the neck being fit- engaged with the diverging slot end portion, while the other end portion of the neck being situated in the narrow slot and maintained in a state in which it is pressurized by the inner wall of the slot, it is possible to retain the neck in the slot without involving any rattle.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that the mounting member be equipped with a dog housing comprising a pair of outer side walls provided upright on a predetermined surface of the mounting member and a mounting plate portion in which the slot is formed, and that the inside of the dog housing be equipped with a presser member provided to form a gap with the inner surface of the mounting plate portion, such that the head of the clip can be inserted into the gap.

In this construction, when inserting the neck of the clip into the slot formed in the mounting plate portion of the dog housing, the head of the clip is inserted into the gap between the inner surface of the mounting plate portion and the presser member, and the presser member abuts the head of the clip to guide the clip so as to prevent it from tilting, so that the neck can be smoothly inserted into the slot, and the neck is inserted in an attitude substantially perpendicular to the slot, thereby further enhancing the click feel when the end portion of the neck enters the diverging slot end portion.

Further, since the head of the clip abuts the presser member, it is possible to prevent the neck of the clip from rattling within the slot, making it possible to retain the clip in a more stable manner.

Further, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferred that the mounting member be equipped with a pair of inner side walls situated on the inner side of the outer side walls and protruding from a predetermined surface of the mounting member, an inner top wall connecting the inner side walls to form a predetermined gap with the mounting plate portion, and a rib protruding from the inner top wall toward the mounting plate portion and extending in the same direction as the slot, such that the rib can abut the head of the clip.

In this construction, when inserting the neck of the clip into the slot, the rib provided on the presser member abuts the head of the clip and guides the clip so as to prevent it from tilting, so that the neck can be smoothly inserted into the slot; further, since the contact area between the head and the rib is small, and the rib extends in the same direction as the slot, it is possible to reduce the resistance to insertion.

In the clip of the present invention, when the neck is completely inserted into the slot, four portions in total of the neck, at both sides at both ends in the length direction abut the inner wall of the slot, and the neck is prevented from turning within the slot, so that it is possible to suppress rotation of the mounting member with respect to the clip and also to reduce rattle of it, thereby making it possible to mount the clip in a predetermined direction of the mounting member without requiring any checking and/or detachment and remounting.

Brief Introduction to the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a known clip; Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a clip according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a side perspective view of the clip of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a sectional plan view of the clip of Figures 2 and 3, sectioned at the neck; Figure 5 shows a sectional plan view of a dog housing for use with the clip of Figures 2 to 4; Figure 6 is a diagram showing another configuration of a dog housing in an embodiment of a mounting structure for a clip and a mounting member according to the present invention; Figures 7(a) through 7(c) are diagrams showing procedures of inserting the clip into a slot in the second embodiment of the mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member, of which Figure 7(a) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the neck is started to be inserted into the slot, Figure 7(b) is an explanatory view showing a state in which both end portions of the neck have been inserted into the slot, and Figure 7(c) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the neck has been completely inserted into the slot; Figure 8 is a chart showing the relationship between resistance to insertion and distance of insertion when inserting the neck into the slot in the second embodiment of the mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a mounting member for the use with the clip of Figures 2-4.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a dog housing formed on the mounting member of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a partial enlarged perspective view, partly in section, of the dog housing of Figure 10 S Figure 12 is an explanatory view of a clip having protrusions at both ends and a slot in another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 13 is a perspective view of the configuration of a dog housing formed on a mounting member in another embodiment of a mounting structure for a clip and a mounting member according to the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figures 2 through 5 show a first embodiment of a clip and a mounting structure for the clip and a mounting member according to preferred embodiments of the present invenLion.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 there is shown a clip 10 including a head 12, a neck 14 and an anchor 16. The clip is a trim clip intended to couple a mounting member such as a car bumper with a car body. Normally at least two clips 10 are used in cooperation to secure the mounting member such as a car bumper onto the car body, with 4-10 being a typical number.

A dog housing according to the present invention employs a dog housing 30 as shown in Figure 5. And, the mounting member such as a car bumper is formed so as to have a plurality of the dog housings 30. Each dog housing includes a slot 31 for receiving the neck 14 of the clip 10. For each dog housing 30 a corresponding aperture is formed in the car body.

The slot 31 of the dog housing 30 comprises a key-way shape made up of a closed, rounded end 32 communicative with a substantially parallel sided open ended slot 34.

The open ended slot 34 adjoins a tapering section 36 arranged to aid initial alignment of the neck 14 with the dog housing 30 and guide the neck 14 into the open ended slot 34. The slot 34 has a width Al which is smaller than a width W, the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck 14 described below.

As described above, the clip 10 of the present invention is composed of the head 12, the neck 14, and the anchor 16. More specifically, it is formed as follows.

The neck 14 is defined between the head 12 and the anchor 16, and is of substantially constant cross section along its length. The neck 14 comprises rounded end portions 18 and a waist 20, clearly shown in Figure 4.

The waist 20 is narrower than the rounded end portions 18 and comprises a concave, re-entrant section. The neck 14 has 180 degree rotational symmetry.

More specifically, the neck 14 extends from the center of the lower surface of the head 12. As shown in Figure 4, in cross section, the neck 14 has a length direction in which insertion into the slot 31 is effected, and a width direction perpendicular to the length direction. Assuming that the length in the length direction is L and that the width in the width direction is W, the length L in the length direction is larger than the width W in the width direction.

Further, the neck 14 of this embodiment has a sectional configuration in which two circles whose centers are 01 and 02 overlap each other. That is, both end portions 18 of the neck 14 have an arcuate configuration.

Further, at the intermediate portion in the length direction, there is formed a waist 20 narrowed in a curve along the arcuate configuration of the end portions 18.

Assuming that the width of the waist 20 is W', the diameter of the end portions 18, that is, the width W in the width direction, is larger than the width W' of the waist 20 in the width direction.

The anchor 16 protrudes from the end surface of the neck 14 on the side opposite to the head 12. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the anchor 16 is composed of a column 21 extending from the lower end surface of the neck 14, and a pair of elastic engagement legs 22 extending from the distal end of the column 21 somewhat obliquely toward the neck 14, with step portions 23 being formed at the distal ends of the elastic engagement legs 22. Further, in the peripheral edge of the proximal end of the column 21, there is formed a flange 24 diverging obliquely downwardly toward the distal end of the column 21 in a skirt-like fashion.

The clip 10 is fixed to a vehicle body panel or the like (not shown) through the intermediation of the anchor 16, with the step portions being engaged with the back- side peripheral edge of an engagement hole or the like formed in the vehicle body panel or the like, the member on which mounting is to be effected. Further, when the clip 10 is engaged with a vehicle body panel or the like (not shown) , the flange 24 elastically abuts the peripheral edge of an engagement hole or the like (not shown) , thus constituting a portion suppressing rattle, etc. of the clip 10. The anchor 16 is not restricted to the above configuration; any configuration will be as long as it allows engagement with the member on which mounting is to be effected, such as a vehicle body panel (not shown) The clip 10 as described above is preferably made using a plastic material, specifically a polyacetal resin.

In this case it is the dog housing 30 that deforms in forming the interference fit joint. However, other suitable materials could be used, and the neck 14 could deform instead or as well as the dog housing.

The clip 10 described above can be mounted to the dog housing 30 by inserting the neck 14 into the slot 31 of the dog housing 30. When the neck 14 of the clip 10 is completely inserted into the slot 31, both sides of the end portions in cross section of the neck 14, (four portions in total) abut the inner wall of the slot 31, and the neck 14 is prevented from turning within the slot 31, making it possible to suppress rotation of the mounting member with respect to the clip 10 and also to reduce rattle. L5

After the clip 10 has been mounted to the mounting member through the slot 31, the anchor 16 of the clip 10 is aligned with an engagement hole provided in the member on which mounting is to be effected, such as a vehicle body panel (not shown) . Then by inserting the anchor 16 into the engagement hole while slightly deflecting the elastic engagement legs 22 to engage the step portions 23 with the back-side peripheral edge of the engagement hole and by making the flange 24 abut the front-side peripheral edge of the engagement hole, the mounting member can be mounted to the member on which mounting is to be effected through the intermediation of the clip 10.

Further, in this clip 10, the end portions 18 of the neck 14 have an arcuate configuration, so that the clip can be smoothly inserted into the slot 31 without being caught by the inner periphery of the slot 31, thereby achieving an improvement in operational efficiency for assembly.

Further, in the clip 10, there is formed the waist 20 narrowed in a curve along the arcuate configuration of the end portions 18 of the neck 14, and the outer periphery of the neck 14 can be made smooth, so that the clip can be inserted into the slot 31 more smoothly. Further, when pressfitting the neck 14 into the slot 31, it is possible to mitigate local concentration of stress, thereby improving the rigidity of the neck 14.

The clip 10 has 180 degree rotational symmetry, meaning that it is irrelevant which of the rounded ends 18 is first introduced into the dog housing 30. Furthermore, the neck 14 can not rotate in the dog housing 30, meaning that the anchor 16 is held in a desired orientation relative to the slot or aperture on the car body into which it will locate. In the embodiment shown the anchor 16 is intended to locate in a slot that is substantially parallel to the open ended slot 34 of the dog housing 30, however other relative angular arrangements are possible.

The clip is easy to assemble with a dog housing, and which in use stays in fixed angular orientation relative to the dog housing. This is useful particularly when the anchor of the clip is required to engage a noncircular aperture at a specified angular position.

For example, even when the mounting hole of the member on which mounting is to be effected (not shown) is a rectangular hole, and it is necessary to insert the anchor 16 in a predetermined direction, by setting the direction of the neck 14 and the slot 31 such that the anchor 16 is oriented in a predetermined direction with respect to the mounting member 50, there is no need to perform an adjustment of angle on the anchor 16 of the clip 10 with respect to the mounting member 50, and the anchor can be inserted into the mounting hole as it is.

As mentioned above, the clip of this invention resists attempts to slide the neck from the dog housing, and also provides an installer with a positive indication that the correct position of the clip relative to the dog housing has been reached.

Figures 6 through 11 show the second embodiment of the mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member according to the present invention. The components that are substantially same as the above embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and a

description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the dog housing 30 for mounting the clip 10 differs from that of the first embodiment.

The dog housing 30 is formed on the mounting member 50, such as a bumper, shown in Figure 9. Referring also to Figures 10 and 11, the dog housing 30 has a pair of outer side walls 37 provided upright on the back surface of the mounting member 50 at a predetermined interval and so as to be parallel to each other, and a mounting plate portion 38 connecting the outer side walls 37, exhibiting a substantially U-shaped configuration in side view.

Further, one side portion of the dog housing 30 is closed by a front wall 39, and the other side portion is open.

And, formed in the dog housing 30 is the slot 31 for inserting the neck 14 of the clip 10.

The slot 31 has diverging slot end portion 33 formed on the depth side, a narrow slot portion 34 parallel-sided extending from the diverging slot end portion 33, and an opening formed so as to extend from the narrow slot portion 34 by way of a tapering section 36. The diverging slot end portion 33 is formed so as to be in conformity with one of the round end portions 18 of the neck 14 of the clip 10. The opening width Al of the narrow slot portion 34 is smaller than the diameter of the diverging slot end portion 33 (the width A2) (see Fig. 6) . Once the neck 14 is forced into the narrow slot portion 34 and the round end portion 18 is arranged in the diverging slot end portion 33, it is necessary to deform the narrow slot portion 34 or the neck 14 to remove the clip 10 from the dog housing 30.

The dog housing 30 will be described more specifically. The narrow slot portion 34 extends in the length direction parallel to the pair of outer side walls 37, and substantially at the center with respect to the width direction of the mounting plate portion 38, and is formed in the width Al, which is smaller than the width W, the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck 14 of the clip 10. The diverging slot end portion 33 is provided so as to be connected to the depth-side end of the narrow slot portion 34, and is formed in a width A2, which is larger than the width W, the maximum dimension in the width direction of the end portion of the neck 14 described below. One of the end portions of the neck 14 is fitted into the diverging slot end portion 33.

As shown in Fig. 11, in this embodiment, there is also provided inside the dog housing 30 a presser member 40 substantially at the center with respect to the width direction, extending in the length direction thereof. The presser member 40 has a pair of inner side walls 41 protruding at a predetermined interval from the back surface of the mounting member 50 so as to be parallel to each other, and an inner top wall 42 connecting the inner side walls 41, exhibiting a substantially U-shaped configuration in side view like the dog housing 30 described above. The inner top wall 42 is provided so as to leave a gap with the mounting plate portion 38 of the dog housing 30, the gap being large enough to allow insertion of at least the head 12 of the clip 10. The space surrounded by the pair of inner side walls 41 and the inner top wall 42 will be referred to as an inner space S. Formed on the surface of the inner top wall 42 toward the side of mounting plate portion 38 is a rib 43 situated at a position aligned with the center with respect to the width direction of the narrow slot portion 34 of the slot 31 and extending in the same direction as the narrow slot portion 34. The rib 43 is formed in the height such that, when the clip 10 is inserted into the slot 31, the head 12 thereof abuts the same.

Further, in the clip 10 mounted to the dog housing 30 shown in Figure 6, the substantially disc-shaped head 12 thereof has an outer diameter in conformity with the distance between the pair of outer side walls 37 of the dog housing 30. The lower surface of the head 12 (the surface toward the side of neck 14) abuts the inner surface of the mounting plate portion 38 of the dog housing 30, and the upper surface thereof abuts the rib 43 of the presser member 40, thus supporting both sides of the head 12. Further, the diameter of the end portions 18 of the clip 10 is of a dimension in conformity with the inner diameter of the diverging slot end portion 33 of the slot 31 described above.

Next, to be described will be a method of mounting the mounting member 50, by using the clip 10, with the dog housing 30 formed thereon to the member on which mounting is to be effected such as a vehicle body panel (not shown) First, the clip 10 is inserted from the opening side of the doghousing 30 formed on the mounting member 50 shown in Fig. 10. That is, the neck 14 of the clip 10 is inserted into the slot 31 of the dog housing 30, and the S head 12 of the clip 10 is engaged therewith.

Figures 7(a) through 7(c) show how the neck 14 is inserted at this time into the narrow slot portion 34 of the slot 31. Since the end portion 18 with the width W is inserted into the narrow slot portion 34 formed in the width Al smaller than the width W, the neck 14 is pressed to enter into the slot 31, and the neck 14 receives a resistance from the inner wall of the narrow slot portion 34 as the insertion is being performed. This resistance will be referred to as the resistance to insertion, which is in a relationship with the distance of insertion as shown in Figure 8.

As shown in Figure 7(a), when the end portion 18 of the neck 14 starts to be inserted into the narrow slot portion 34, it starts to receive insertion resistance from the inner wall of the narrow slot portion 34 (as indicated by symbol a in Figure 8) When, in this state, the clip 10 is forced into the narrow slot portion 34 toward the depth side as shown in Figure 7 (b) , the inner wall of the narrow slot portion 34 is pressurized by the outer periphery of the end portions 18, and is gradually expanded outwardly; due to the increase in reaction force in this process, the insertion resistance from the inner periphery of the narrow slot portion 34 also increases, making it increasingly difficult to effect the insertion (see symbol b in Figure 8) When the neck 14 is further pushed in, and the maximum diameter portion of one of the end portions 18 with the width W (see Figure 4) reaches the diverging slot end portion 33 at the depth side of the narrow slot portion 34 with the width A2 larger than that of the end portion 18, the pressurizing force from the inner periphery of the narrow slot portion 34 decreases, and, with that, the resistance to insertion temporarily decreases (as indicated by symbols bi and b2 in Figure 8) However, the other end portion 18 is also forced into the narrow slot portion 34, so that the resistance to insertion from the inner wall of the narrow slot portion 34 increases again, and, as shown in Figure 7(c), when one end portion 18 is fitted into and abuts the diverging slot end portion 33, the insertion is stopped (see symbol c in Figure 8) . Due to this change in insertion resistance, a click feel is generated, which enables the operator to confirm that the neck 14 has been completely inserted into the slot 31.

In the state in which the neck 14 of the clip 10 has been thus completely inserted into the slot 31, one of the end portions 18 is fit-engaged with the diverging slot end portion 33 to provide the effect of preventing detachment of the clip from the slot 31, with the other end portion 18 being held within the inner wall of the narrow slot portion 34 and pressurized. As a result, the neck 14 is prevented from turning within the slot 31, making it possible to suppress rotation of the clip 10 with respect to the mounting member and also to reduce rattle of it.

As stated above, after the clip 10 has been mounted to the mounting member 50, the anchor 16 is inserted into and engaged with an engagement hole or the like of the member on which mounting is to be effected (not shown), and the mounting member 50 can be mounted to the member on which mounting is to be effected through the intermediation of the clip 10.

In this way, in the mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member according to the present invention, when the neck 14 of the clip 10 is inserted into the slot 31 formed in the dog housing 30, the resistance to insertion from the inner wall of the narrow slot portion 34 decreases in the section bl-b2 in Figure 8, and this is sensed as a click feel, so that it is possible to reliably confirm that the neck 14 of the clip has been completely inserted into the slot 31 of the dog housing 30.

Further, in the mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member according to the present invention, there is further provided the presser member 40 on the inner side of the dog housing 30 of the configuration as shown in Figure 11. Thus, when inserting the neck 14 of the clip 10 into the slot 31 formed in the mounting plate portion 38, the head 12 of the clip 10 is inserted into the gap between the inner surface of the mounting plate portion 38 and the presser member 40, and the presser member 40 abuts the upper surface of the head 12 of the clip 10 to guide the clip 10 so as to prevent it from tilting. As a result, the insertion of the neck 14 into the slot 31 can be smoothly effected, and the neck 14 is inserted in an attitude substantially perpendicular to the slot 31, so that the click feel when one of the end portions 18 of the neck 14 enters the diverging slot end portion 33 can be further increased.

Further, since the head 12 of the clip 10 abuts the presser member 40, it is possible to prevent the neck 14 of the clip 10 from rattling within the slot 31, making it possible to retain the clip 10 in a more stable manner.

Further, in this mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member, the rib 43 extending in the same direction as the slot 31 is provided upright on the inner top wall 42 of the presser member 40, and the rib 43 abuts the head 12 of the clip 10. Thus, when inserting the neck 14 of the clip 10 into the slot 31, the rib 43 abuts the upper surface of the head 12 of the clip 10 to guide the clip 10 so as to prevent it from tilting, so that the insertion of the neck 14 into the slot 31 can be effected smoothly; further, since the contact area between the head 12 and the rib 43 is small, and the rib 43 extends in the same direction as the slot 31, it is possible to reduce the resistance to insertion.

Further, the rib 43 abuts the head 12 of the clip 10, so that, as compared with the case in which no rib 43 is provided, it is possible to insert the clip 10 in an attitude more perpendicular to the slot, and, further, since the head 12 is locally pressurized by the rib 43, it is possible to further enhance the click feel when the clip is being inserted into the slot 31.

Further, as stated above, the presser member 40 has the inner space S defined by the pair of inner side walls 41 and the inner top wall 42. Thus, even if there is a variation in the distance B between the bottom surface of the presser member 40 and the bottom surface of the dog housing 30 (see Figure 11) , the thickness of the head 12 of the clip 10, etc., and the thickness of the head 12 becomes larger than the distance B between the presser member 40 and the dog housing 30, the pressure member 40 is pressurized by the head 12 and deflected through the inner space S, so that the above dimensional error is absorbed, making it possible to effect mounting in a more stable manner, with the clip 10 being in intimate contact with the dog housing 30.

Apart from the above embodiment mode, as another alternative arrangement, the dog housing could be formed on the car body and the anchor arranged to engage the panel. Although the waist of the neck described in the preferred embodiment is narrower in cross section than the rounded end portions of the neck, other embodiments can be envisaged in which a portion of the neck protrudes and locates in a recess in the dog housing. However, the embodiments described herein are preferred as the clip and dog housing are relatively easy to manufacture.

Figure 12 shows the third embodiment of the mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member according to the present invention. The portions that are substantially same as the above embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment differs from the above embodiment in the configuration of the neck of the clip and the configuration of the slot of the dog housing. That is, a neck 14a of the clip 10 is substantially rectangular in cross section, and has protrusions 15 toward the width direction; four in total, on both sides of both end S portions in the length direction. Further, in correspondence with the configuration of the neck 14, the configuration of the slot 31 of the dog housing 30 differs. That is, fit- engagement recesses 35 are provided on both sides of the depth of the slot 31 of the dog housing 30.

As in the above embodiment, in the clip 10 of this embodiment also, by inserting the neck l4a into the slot 31, it is possible to mount the neck l4a while preventing it from turning. That is, the protrusions 15 formed at one end of the neck 14a are engaged with the fit- engagement recesses 35, and the protrusions 15 formed at the other end are fixed in position by being held in press contact with the inner wall of the narrow slot portion 34.

Further, since the protrusions 15 are held in press contact with the inner wall of the slot 31 with enhanced surface pressure, the fixation can be effected reliably.

Figure 13 shows the fourth embodiment of the mounting structure for the clip and the mounting member. The portions that are substantially same as the above embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals,

and a description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the presser member formed on the inner side of the dog housing differs from that of the above embodiment. That is, in a presser member 40a, a pair of inner side walls 41 inclined by a predetermined angle protrude from the back surface of the mounting member 50, and become closer to each other toward their distal ends, which are connected together to form a triangular configuration in side view.

Sn this embodiment, when inserting the neck 14 of the clip 10 into the slot 31, the bent corner portion of the presser member 40a abuts the upper surface of the head 12, and guides the clip 10, enabling the neck 14 to be inserted smoothly; further, since the presser member can be formed in a simpler configuration than the presser member 40 shown in Figures 10 an 11, the configuration of the mounting member 50 is satisfactory to be formed.

Although the clip and dog housing described have particular utility in automotive assembly in particular in the joining of exterior or interior trim panels to a vehicle, many other applications can be envisaged.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference, All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may he replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The present invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The present invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims: 1. A clip comprising a head, an anchor, and a neck arranged

between the head and the anchor, wherein in use the neck is arranged to locate in a slot and be retained therein by an interference fit.
2. A clip of claim 1, wherein the neck comprises a concave section.
3. A clip of claim 1 or 2, wherein the neck comprises a rounded end portion.
4. A clip of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the neck comprises a waist arranged between rounded end portions.
5. A clip of claim 4, wherein the waist is narrower in cross section than the rounded end portions.
6. A clip of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the neck has 180 degree rotational symmetry.
7. A clip of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the neck is shaped to inhibit rotation of the clip in the slot.
8. A clip of any one of claims 1-7 whose head is arranged to be engaged with a slot formed in a mounting member and whose anchor is arranged to be inserted into a mounting hole formed in a member on which mounting is to be effected, for connecting the mounting member with the member on which mounting is to be effected, the clip comprising: a head to be engaged with the slot, a neck extending from one surface of the head to be inserted into the slot, and an anchor extending from the side of the neck opposite to the head to be engaged with the mounting hole, wherein the neck has a cross-sectional configuration constituted of a length direction constituting the direction in which insertion into the slot is effected and a width direction perpendicular to the length direction, the length direction being longer than the width direction, and wherein both end portions of the neck extending in the length direction are longer in the width direction than an intermediate portion of the neck extending in the length direction.
9. A clip of claim 8, wherein the both end portions of the neck are formed as arc in the cross-sectional configuration, whose diameter constitutes a maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck, to be maximum width portions of the neck, and wherein other portion of the neck between the maximum width portions is formed to have a width smaller than the maximum width of the maximum width portion in the cross-sectional configuration.
10. A clip of claim 9, wherein the other portion of the neck between the maximum width portions is formed as a waist narrowed in a curved fashion along the arcuate configuration of the both end portions.

A clip of claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the neck is substantially rectangular, and wherein protrusions are formed at the both end portions of the neck extending in the length direction, the protrusions protruding in the width direction and constituting the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck.
11. A mounting structure for a clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, and a mounting member containing a slot into which a neck of the clip is inserted, comprising: a narrow slot portion contained in the slot of the mounting member, the slot portion being narrower than the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck of the clip, and a diverging slot end portion contained in the slot of the mounting member, the diverging slot end portion being provided at a depth of the narrow slot portion and having a width larger than the maximum dimension in the width direction of the neck of the clip, wherein one end portion of the neck in the cross- sectional configuration enters into the diverging slot end portion, while the other end portion thereof being arranged within the narrow slot portion.
12. A mounting structure for a clip and a mounting member of claim 13, wherein the mounting member is equipped with a dog housing comprising; a pair of outer side walls provided upright on a predetermined surface of the mounting member, and a mounting plate portion in which the slot is formed, connecting the outer side walls, and wherein the inside of the dog housing is equipped with a presser member provided to form a gap with the inner surface of the mounting plate portion, such that the head of the clip can be inserted into the gap.
13. A mounting structure for a clip and a mounting member of claim 12, wherein the mounting member is equipped with a pair of inner side walls situated on the inner side of the outer side walls and protruding from a predetermined surface of the mounting member, an inner top wall connecting the inner side walls to form a predetermined gap with the mounting plate portion, and a rib protruding from the inner top wall toward the mounting plate portion and extending in the same direction as the slot, such that the rib can abut the head of the clip.
14. A dog housing including a slot arranged to receive the neck of a clip of any one of claims 1 to 7 and form an interference fit joint therewith.
15. A vehicle including a clip of any one of claims 1 to 10 and/or the mounting structure of class 11/13 and/or a dog housing of claim 14.
16. A method of securing a component to a vehicle comprising steps of (a) locating a neck of a clip in a slot on one of a vehicle body or a piece of vehicle to couple the slot to the neck with an interference fit joint; (b) engaging an anchor portion of the clip to the other of the vehicle body or piece of vehicle to that in which the neck of the clip locates.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step (b) is performed before the step (a)
18. A clip, mounting structure, dog housing or method of securing a component to a vehicle substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.