GB2449291A - A method for snap-fitting a component to a support rail. - Google Patents

A method for snap-fitting a component to a support rail. Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2449291A
GB2449291A GB0709525A GB0709525A GB2449291A GB 2449291 A GB2449291 A GB 2449291A GB 0709525 A GB0709525 A GB 0709525A GB 0709525 A GB0709525 A GB 0709525A GB 2449291 A GB2449291 A GB 2449291A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
component
snap
opening
securing
intermediate component
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0709525A
Other versions
GB2449291B (en
GB0709525D0 (en
Inventor
David Raistrick
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Legrand Electric Ltd
Original Assignee
Legrand Electric Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Legrand Electric Ltd filed Critical Legrand Electric Ltd
Priority to GB0709525.0A priority Critical patent/GB2449291B/en
Publication of GB0709525D0 publication Critical patent/GB0709525D0/en
Publication of GB2449291A publication Critical patent/GB2449291A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2449291B publication Critical patent/GB2449291B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B37/00—Nuts or like thread-engaging members
    • F16B37/02—Nuts or like thread-engaging members made of thin sheet material
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B29/00—Screwed connection with deformation of nut or auxiliary member while fastening
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B37/00—Nuts or like thread-engaging members
    • F16B37/04—Devices for fastening nuts to surfaces, e.g. sheets, plates
    • F16B37/045—Devices for fastening nuts to surfaces, e.g. sheets, plates specially adapted for fastening in channels, e.g. sliding bolts, channel nuts
    • F16B37/046—Devices for fastening nuts to surfaces, e.g. sheets, plates specially adapted for fastening in channels, e.g. sliding bolts, channel nuts with resilient means for urging the nut inside the channel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
    • F16L3/24—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets with a special member for attachment to profiled girders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B37/00—Nuts or like thread-engaging members
    • F16B37/04—Devices for fastening nuts to surfaces, e.g. sheets, plates
    • F16B37/041—Releasable devices
    • F16B37/043—Releasable devices with snap action

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)

Abstract

A method comprises the steps of snap-fitting an intermediate component 22 into an opening defined by a first component 20 and then securing a second component to the intermediate component 22. The step of securing the second component 32 to the intermediate component 22 also serves to further secure the intermediate component 22 to the first component,20 and may also forcibly sandwich portions of the intermediate component 22 between the first and second components 20, 32. The intermediate component may be a snap-fit clip 22 comprising a bridging portion extending across the opening of the first component 20 and defining a hole configured to complement the thread of a threaded fastener 28. The snap-fit clip 22 may comprise a sheet of metal bent into the opening, which may be a channel formed in a support rail 20 having inward pointing flanges (figure 2(c), 24) at opposite ends.

Description

TECHNIQUE FOR SECURING COMPONENTS TOGETHER
The present invention relates to a technique for securing one component to another component. In one embodiment, it relates to a technique for securing a component across the opening of an open-sided channel component.
A conventional technique for securing a component across the opening 14 of an open-sided channel component is illustrated in Figure 1. An intermediate component is used to secure a component 4 across the opening 14 of a open-sided channel component 2. The intermediate component is constituted by a rigid longitudinal cast metal bar 6 with a spring 8 secured thereto. The rigid metal bar 6 is configured such that it has a length longer than the minimum width of the opening of the open-sided channel component and a width shorter than the minimum width of the opening of the open-sided channel component. The intermediate component is located in the position shown in Figure 1 by inserting it spring-first through the opening 14 into the inner space 12 defined by the open-sided channel component, and then turning it by about degrees. The spring is configured such that it acts against the bottom of the open-sided channel component 2 so as to force the rigid metal bar 6 against the bottom edges of the flanges 16 of the open-sided channel component 2 and hold the rigid metal bar in the position shown in Figure 1.
The rigid metal bar 16 also defines a threaded hole that complements a threaded bolt 10, such that when the threaded bolt 10 is inserted through a hole defined in component 4 and turned through the threaded hole defined in the rigid metal bar 6, this acts to secure the component 4 to the open-sided channel component 2. The function of the spring is to automatically hold the rigid bar 6 in place up against the bottom edges of the flanges 16 without the fitter needing to hold it there with his hand, thereby facilitating the securing of component 4 across the opening of the channel component 2.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a more user-friendly technique for securing one component across an opening in another component.
The present invention provides a method of securing a second component to a first component, the method comprising the steps of: snap-fitting an intermediate component into an opening defined by the first component, and then securing the second component to the intermediate component, wherein the step of securing the second component to the intermediate component also serves to further secure the intermediate component to the first component.
In one embodiment, the intermediate component comprises a bridging portion extending across the opening of the first component at a position below the opening of the first component when the intermediate component is snap-fitted into said opening of the first component; and said bridging portion of the intermediate component defines a hole configured to complement the threaded portion of a threaded fastener, and wherein the method includes passing the threaded portion of the threaded fastener through a throughhole in the second component and turning the threaded portion of the threaded fastener through said hole in said intermediate component so as to secure the second component to the intermediate component whilst at the same time further securing the intermediate component to the first component.
In one embodiment, said intermediate component is configured such that the act of securing the second component to the intermediate component serves to also forcibly sandwich portions of the intermediate component between the first and second components.
In one embodiment, said first component comprises a sheet of metal bent into a channel with inward-pointing flanges at opposite edges thereof, and wherein in the snap-fitted position the intermediate component is configured so as to interact with inward and outward faces of the flanges.
The present invention also provides a combination of a first component and a snap-fit clip for snap-fitting into an opening defined by the first component, wherein the snap-fit clip comprises a bridging portion extending across the opening of the first component at a position below the opening of the first component when the snap-fit clip is snap-fitted into said opening of the first component, and wherein said bridging portion of the snap-fit clip defines a hole configured to complement the thread of a threaded fastener.
An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail hereunder, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) illustrate a combination of a clip and an open-sided channel component according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the clip fitted into the opening of the channel component, in preparation for securing a further component across the opening of the open-sided channel component according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clip of Figures 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c); Figure 4 is a side view of the clip of Figures 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c); Figure 5 illustrates the technique of securing a further component across the opening of the open-sided channel component according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention; and Figure 6 illustrates a practical example of an application of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 2 to 5.
According to one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to Figures 2 to 5, there is provided a open-sided channel component 20 and a clip 22. The clip 22 is configured such that it has an intermediate portion 34 of a width greater than the minimum width of the opening of the open-sided channel component as defined by the distance between the bottom edges of the opposing return flanges 24 of the channel component defining the opening, which is the minimum distance between the return flanges 24. The clip is made of 0.5mm spring steel and has been electroplated and passivated.
When the clip 22 is forcibly pushed into the opening in the open-sided channel component 20, the features of the clip 22 that (i) it is made of 0.5mm spring steel and (ii) the portion thereof of the clip 22 down from the intermediate portion 34 gradually increases in width towards the intermediate portion 34, enable the above-mentioned intermediate portion 34 to be relatively easily compressed width-wise between the return flanges 24 of the channel component 20, thereby allowing the intermediate portion 34 to be pushed past the return flanges 24. When the intermediate portion 34 of the clip 22 moves past the bottom edges of the return flanges 24, the intermediate portion 34 of the clip 22 returns to a relatively relaxed configuration in the absence of the compressing action of the return flanges 24. In other words, the intermediate portion 34 returns to its normal width, which is greater than the distance between the bottom edges of the opposing return flanges 24 and this impedes the withdrawal of the clip 22 out of the opening of the channel component 20.
The clip 22 is also provided with flaps 30 which are configured such that, once the intermediate portion 34 has moved past the bottom edges of the return flanges 24, they become pressed against the tops of the return flanges 24.
The intermediate portion 34 and the flaps 30 together act to retain the clip in the opening of the channel component 20, in preparation for securing a further component 32 to the channel component 20 via the clip 22.
In a bridging portion of the clip 22 downwards of said intermediate portion is provided a hole 26 defining a single pitch of an M6 thread. The further component is positioned over the opening of the channel component 20 and the flaps 30 of the clip 22. The threaded part of an M6 bolt 28 is then inserted through a hole in the further component 32 and is turned through the hole 26.
Forcibly turning the M6 bolt through the M6 hole 26 acts to (I) secure the further component 32 to the clip 22 and (ii) compress the clip 22 in the direction of the axis of the M6 bolt 28, whereby the intermediate portion of the clip increases in width and grips the bottom edges of the return flanges 24.
This serves to further impede the withdrawal of the clip 22 from the opening and further secures the clip 22 to the channel component 20 and hence the further component 32 to the channel component 20.
Another advantage of the clip described in detail above is that it is made in one piece, and does not require assembly of sub-components before use.
Figure 6 illustrates a practical example of the embodiment described above.
In this practical example, the clip 22 is used to secure a cable tray 132 to an open-sided channel component 20, which cable tray can be used for routing cabling (not shown).
The applicant draws attention to the fact that the present invention may include any feature or combination of features disclosed herein either implicitly or explicitly or any generalisation thereof, without limitation to the scope of any definitions set out above. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A method of securing a second component to a first component, the method comprising the steps of: snap-fitting an intermediate component into an opening defined by the first component, and then securing the second component to the intermediate component, wherein the step of securing the second component to the intermediate component also serves to further secure the intermediate component to the first component.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate component comprises a bridging portion extending across the opening of the first component at a position below the opening of the first component when the intermediate component is snap-fitted into said opening of the first component.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said bridging portion of the intermediate component defines a hole configured to complement the threaded portion of a threaded fastener, and wherein the method includes passing the threaded portion of the threaded fastener through a throughhole in the second component and turning the threaded portion of the threaded fastener through said hole in said intermediate component so as to secure the second component to the intermediate component whilst at the same time further securing the intermediate component to the first component.
4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said intermediate component is configured such that the act of securing the second component to the intermediate component serves to also forcibly sandwich portions of the intermediate component between the first and second components.
5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said first component comprises a sheet of metal bent into a channel with inward-pointing flanges at opposite edges thereof, and wherein in the snap-fitted position the intermediate component is configured so as to interact with inward and outward faces of the flanges.
6. A combination of a first component and a snap-fit clip for snap-fitting into an opening defined by the first component, wherein the snap-fit clip comprises a bridging portion extending across the opening of the first component at a position below the opening of the first component when the snap-fit clip is snap-fitted into said opening of the first component, and wherein said bridging portion of the snap-fit clip defines a hole configured to complement the thread of a threaded fastener.
7. A combination of a first component and snap-fit clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2(a), 2(b), 2(c), 3, 4 and 5.
8. A method of securing a second component to a first component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2(a), 2(b), 2(c), 3, 4 and 5.
GB0709525.0A 2007-05-17 2007-05-17 Technique for securing components together Active GB2449291B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0709525.0A GB2449291B (en) 2007-05-17 2007-05-17 Technique for securing components together

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0709525.0A GB2449291B (en) 2007-05-17 2007-05-17 Technique for securing components together

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0709525D0 GB0709525D0 (en) 2007-06-27
GB2449291A true GB2449291A (en) 2008-11-19
GB2449291B GB2449291B (en) 2013-01-23

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3494646A (en) * 1968-06-13 1970-02-10 Erico Prod Inc Fastening devices
GB1406478A (en) * 1971-11-11 1975-09-17 Illinois Tool Works Securing devices
GB2042665A (en) * 1979-01-25 1980-09-24 Forest Fasteners Ltd Deformable Fasteners
DE3514765A1 (en) * 1985-04-24 1986-10-30 Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, 8000 München Receptacle part having at least one expanding dowel for detachable attachment to a retaining element
EP0671581A2 (en) * 1994-03-12 1995-09-13 Diag Design Ag Support rail for supporting pipes or the like
US20030024078A1 (en) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-06 Eustathios Vassiliou Fasteners of increased holding power
US20040156694A1 (en) * 2003-02-11 2004-08-12 Ejot Gmbh & Co. Kg Plastic nut for mounting on a component having a penetration

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3494646A (en) * 1968-06-13 1970-02-10 Erico Prod Inc Fastening devices
GB1406478A (en) * 1971-11-11 1975-09-17 Illinois Tool Works Securing devices
GB2042665A (en) * 1979-01-25 1980-09-24 Forest Fasteners Ltd Deformable Fasteners
DE3514765A1 (en) * 1985-04-24 1986-10-30 Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, 8000 München Receptacle part having at least one expanding dowel for detachable attachment to a retaining element
EP0671581A2 (en) * 1994-03-12 1995-09-13 Diag Design Ag Support rail for supporting pipes or the like
US20030024078A1 (en) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-06 Eustathios Vassiliou Fasteners of increased holding power
US20040156694A1 (en) * 2003-02-11 2004-08-12 Ejot Gmbh & Co. Kg Plastic nut for mounting on a component having a penetration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2449291B (en) 2013-01-23
GB0709525D0 (en) 2007-06-27

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