CLIP

Abstract

A clip comprises a pin and bushing. The pin comprises a pin flange, a pin flange hole formed in the pin flange, a plurality of pin leg parts extending downward around the pin flange hole. The bushing comprising a bushing flange that can stow the pin flange, a plurality of bushing flange holes formed around the center axis of the bushing flange into which the pin leg parts can be inserted, bushing leg parts extending downward along the center axis of the bushing flange, and bushing leg recess parts formed extending along the outer circumference of the bushing leg part. The pin leg tip parts of the pin leg parts protrude inwards, the lower part of the bushing leg recess part is a shallow bushing leg spreading part and when the pin leg tip parts contact the bushing leg spreading part, the pin leg parts are spread.

Claims

1. A clip comprising: a pin including: a pin flange, a pin flange hole formed in the pin flange, a plurality of pin leg parts extending downward around the pin flange hole of the pin flange; and a bushing including: a bushing flange that can stow the pin flange, a plurality of bushing flange holes formed around the center axis of the bushing flange into which the pin leg parts can be inserted, a plurality of bushing leg parts extending downward along the center axis of the bushing flange and downward in between adjacent bushing flange holes, a plurality of bushing leg recess parts extending along an outer circumference of each bushing leg part and operable to stow the pin leg parts, a pair of holding piece retention parts below the bushing flange, a pair of upper holding pieces connected to the bushing flange via the pair of holding piece retention parts and a first hinge, a pair of lower holding pieces connected to the bushing flange via the pair of upper holding pieces and a second hinge, and a holding piece lower part connected between the pair of lower holding pieces via a third hinge.

2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein a flange locking tab is formed at the lower end of the bushing flange of the bushing and a bottom protruding part that can be engaged with the flange locking tab is formed at the bottom of the holding piece lower part.

3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein pin leg grooves are formed extending downward on an outer circumference of each of the pin leg parts of the pin, a first lock is formed in the pin leg grooves protruding from the pin leg grooves and a second lock is formed between the first lock and pin flange, and flange hole protruding parts that can engage with the first lock and second lock are formed in the bushing flange holes of the bushing.

4. The clip according to claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of pin leg parts includes a pin leg tip part that protrudes inwards, each of the bushing leg recess parts become shallower at the lower part and includes a bushing leg spread part, a spread part step part in a step shape is located at the bottom end of the bushing leg spread part, and when the pin leg tip parts engage with the spread part step part, the pin leg parts spread and are thus secured.

5. A clip assembly comprising: a pin including: a pin flange, a pin flange hole formed in the pin flange, a plurality of pin leg parts extending downward around the pin flange hole of the pin flange; and a bushing including: a bushing flange that can stow the pin flange, a plurality of bushing flange holes formed around the center axis of the bushing flange into which the pin leg parts can be inserted, a plurality of bushing leg parts extending downward along the center axis of the bushing flange and downward in between adjacent bushing flange holes, a plurality of bushing leg recess parts extending along an outer circumference of each bushing leg part and operable to stow the pin leg parts, a pair of holding piece retention parts below the bushing flange, a pair of upper holding pieces connected to the bushing flange via the pair of holding piece retention parts and a first hinge, a pair of lower holding pieces connected to the bushing flange via the pair of upper holding pieces and a second hinge, and a holding piece lower part connected between the pair of lower holding pieces via a third hinge and wherein the pin leg parts are inserted in and extend axially through the bushing flange holes and are stowed in the bushing leg recess parts.

6. The clip according to claim 5, wherein the outer circumference of each of the plurality of pin leg parts further includes a pin leg groove extending downward, a first lock is formed in the pin leg groove and protrudes from the groove, and a second lock is formed between the first lock and the pin flange, flange hole protruding parts engageable with the first lock and second lock are formed in the bushing flange holes of the bushing, and the flange hole protruding parts engage with the first lock to hold the pin and bushing in a temporary locked state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pin of the clip of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pin in FIG. 1 seen from a different direction.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pin of FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a front view of the pin of FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the pin of FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the pin of FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along line A-A of the pin in FIG. 4.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view along line C-C of the pin in FIG. 4.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bushing of the clip of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bushing in FIG. 9 seen from a different direction.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the bushing of FIG. 9.

[0054] FIG. 12 is a front view of the bushing of FIG. 9.

[0055] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the bushing of FIG. 9.

[0056] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the bushing of FIG. 9.

[0057] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional drawing along line D-D of the bushing in FIG. 12.

[0058] FIG. 16 is an end view along line F-F of the bushing in FIG. 12.

[0059] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the clip with the pin of FIG. 1 and bushing of FIG. 9 in a temporary locked state.

[0060] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the clip in FIG. 17 seen from a different direction.

[0061] FIG. 19 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 17.

[0062] FIG. 20 is a front view of the clip of FIG. 17.

[0063] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the clip of FIG. 17.

[0064] FIG. 22 is a right side view of the clip of FIG. 17.

[0065] FIG. 23 is a cross sectional drawing along line G-G of the clip in FIG. 20.

[0066] FIG. 24 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 17 that is first attached to the mounting member.

[0067] FIG. 25 is a front view of the clip of FIG. 24.

[0068] FIG. 26 is an end view along line J-J of the clip in FIG. 24.

[0069] FIG. 27 is an end view along line K-K of the clip in FIG. 24.

[0070] FIG. 28 is an end view along line L-L of the clip of FIG. 26.

[0071] FIG. 29 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 24 permanently attached to the member to be mounted to.

[0072] FIG. 30 is a front view of the clip of FIG. 29.

[0073] FIG. 31 is an end view along line N-N of the clip of FIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0074] Next, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 9 show the pin 10 of the clip 1 of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pin 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pin 10 from a different direction. FIG. 3 is a plan view, FIG. 4 is a front view, FIG. 5 is a bottom view, and FIG. 6 is a right side view of the pin 10. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional drawing along the line A-A of the pin 10 in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view along the line C-C of the pin 10 in FIG. 4.

[0075] In this specification, a coordinate axis is used to describe the shape of the clip 1 and the pin 10. The vertical direction of the center axis of the pin 10 is taken to be the Z direction; the direction of the straight line part 11a of the pin flange 11 perpendicular to the Z direction is taken to be the x direction; and the direction perpendicular to the x direction is taken to be the y direction.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pin 10 comprises a large diameter pin flange 11 and pin leg parts 14 extending downward from the pin flange 11. The pin flange 11 has a nearly disc shape with two opposing edge straight line parts 11a. The straight line parts 11a are provided to enable inserting the tip part of a screwdriver or the like under the pin flange 11 to remove the pin 10. A shape, such as a screwdriver or the like having a tip that can be inserted under the pin flange 11, is sufficient so this is not limited to a straight line shape.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, a pin flange hole 12 is formed in the center of the upper surface of the pin flange 11. In the embodiment of the present invention, the pin flange hole 12 is hexagonal in shape.

[0078] A plurality of pin leg parts 14 extend downwards from around the pin flange hole 12 of the pin flange 11. In the embodiment of the present invention, there are 3 pin leg parts 14. The pin leg parts 14 extend downward from 3 alternating sides of the hexagon shape of the pin flange hole 12. There must be a plural number of pin leg parts 14, but this is not restricted to 3 legs. The shape of the pin flange hole 12 will also change depending on the number of pin leg parts 14. There are intervals in the circumferential direction between adjacent pin leg parts 14 that extend downwards from 3 alternating sides of a hexagonal shape. The upper end of each of the pin leg parts 14 is joined to the pin flange 11 so that the pin leg parts can each independently bend in the radial direction. There is a hollow spacing at the center part of the plurality of pin leg parts 14. The bushing leg part 25 of the bushing 20 fits into this hollow.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 8, the cross section of the outer surface in the radial direction of each of the pin leg parts 14 is an arc shape, and pin leg grooves 18 extending in the vertical direction are formed in the center in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the pin leg parts 14.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a first lock 16 is formed near the middle between the pin flange 11 and pin leg tip parts 15 in the pin leg grooves 18 on the outer surface of each pin leg part 14. The first lock 16 is a shape protruding outwards in the radial direction from the pin leg grooves 18 that engages with the flange hole protruding parts 29 of the bushing 20 for a temporary locked state.

[0081] A second lock 17 is formed near the center between the pin flange 11 and the first lock 16 of the pin leg grooves 18 on the outer surface of each pin leg part 14. The second lock 17 is also a shape protruding outwards in the radial direction from the pin leg grooves 18 that engages with the flange hole protruding parts 29 of the bushing 20 for a permanent locked state.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, the outer surfaces of the first locks 16 formed in each of the pin leg grooves 18 are at the same circumferential height as the outer surfaces of the pin leg parts 14. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer surfaces of the second locks 17 formed in each of the pin leg grooves 18 are at the same circumferential height as the outer surface of the pin leg parts 14.

[0083] The first lock 16 and the second lock 17 do not extend beyond the outer surface of the pin leg parts 14, enabling smooth insertion of the pin leg parts 14 into the bushing flange holes 23 of the bushing 20.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 6, the pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 protrude inwards. The pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 are shaped to enable stowing in the bushing leg recess parts 26 of the bushing 20.

[0085] When the pin leg parts 14 are pushed downward, the pin leg tip parts 15 contact the bushing leg spreading part 27 of the bushing 20, causing the pin leg parts 14 to spread. The outer surfaces of the pin leg tip parts 15 have a sloped surface part 15a for easy insertion into the bottom hole 36 of the holding piece lower part 35 of the bushing 20.

[0086] FIG. 9 to FIG. 16 show the bushing 20 of clip 1 of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bushing 20. FIG. 10 is a perspective drawing of the bushing 20 viewed from a different direction. FIG. 11 is a plan view, FIG. 12 is a front view, FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the bushing 20, and FIG. 14 is a right side view.

[0087] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional drawing along line D-D of the bushing 20 in FIG. 12. FIG. 16 is an end view along line F-F of the bushing 20 in FIG. 12.

[0088] The direction of the center axis of the bushing 20 is taken to be the Z direction; the direction of the upper holding pieces 32a and of the lower holding pieces 32b is taken to be the x direction; and the direction perpendicular to the x direction is taken to be the y direction.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the bushing 20 comprises a bushing flange 21 that has a larger diameter than the pin flange 11, a pair of holding pieces 32 below the bushing flange 21 that open and close in a pantograph shape, a holding piece lower part 35 that connects the bottom ends of the pair of holding pieces 32, and a bushing leg part 25 that hangs down from the center of the bushing flange 21. The bushing leg part 25 spreads the pin leg parts.

[0090] The bushing flange 21 has a diameter that is larger than the pin flange 11. A flange recess part 22 is formed in the upper surface of the bushing flange 21, enabling stowing of the pin flange 11. The inner diameter of the flange recess part 22 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pin flange 11. The depth of the flange recess part 22 is slightly larger than the thickness of the pin flange 11, and the pin flange 11 is set inside the flange recess part 22 when the clip 1 is in the permanent locked state. The depth of the flange recess part 22 can be roughly equivalent to the thickness of the pin flange 11. The flange recess part 22 can be omitted.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of bushing flange holes 23 is formed in the center of the bushing flange 21 into which the plurality of pin leg parts 14 can be inserted. If there are three pin leg parts 14, there will also be three bushing flange holes 23. The three bushing flange holes 23 are lined up around the center axis of the bushing flange 21 at equally spaced intervals. The outer periphery of the bushing flange holes 23 is an arc shape. A line connecting the outer peripheries of the three bushing flange holes 23 forms a single circle. The respective pin leg parts 14 enter into each of the bushing flange holes 23.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 15, a flange hole protruding part 29 with a protrusion shape is formed in the center of the outer periphery of the arch shape of each bushing flange hole 23. Engaging of the flange hole protruding parts 29 with the first lock 16 of the pin leg parts 14 retains a temporary locked state, and engaging with the second lock 17 of the pin leg parts 14 retains a permanent locked state.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 16which is a cross sectional view along the line F-F of the bushing 20 in FIG. 12three bushing leg recess parts 26 are formed in the bushing leg part 25. When comparing this to FIG. 8which is a cross sectional view of the line C-C of the pin 10 in FIG. 4it can be seen that the pin leg parts 14 of the pin 10 are to be stowed in the bushing leg recess parts 26.

[0094] The lower part of the bushing flange holes 23 has three bushing leg recess parts 26 formed in the vertical direction to receive the three pin leg parts 14.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 15, the three bushing leg recess parts 26 become shallower close to the bottom of the bushing leg part 25 and become a bushing leg spreading part 27. When the pin leg parts 14 of the pin 10 are lowered along the bushing leg recess parts 26 of the bushing 20, the pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 come into contact with the bushing leg spreading part 27 and are spread out.

[0096] A step part 27a is provided with a step formed at the tip of the bushing leg spreading part 27. In a permanent locked state, the pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 engage with the spread parts step parts 27a, preventing removal.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, bushing leg tip grooves 27m are formed between adjacent bushing leg spreading parts 27 close to the tip part of the bushing leg part 25, to reduce material.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 11, flange openings 28 are formed in two locations opposite the outside of the bushing flange holes 23. The bottom protruding part 37 is stowed in a flange opening 28 when in permanent locked state.

[0099] A pair of flange locking tabs 24 is provided adjacent to the flange openings 28 on the bottom surface of the bushing flange 21. As shown in FIG. 15, the pair of flange locking tabs 24 has tabs extending in the y direction.

[0100] The pair of flange locking tabs 24 is adjacent to the pair of holding piece retention parts 31. When the pair of upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b are folded as described below, the bottom protruding part 37 engages with the flange locking tab 24.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, a pantograph part is formed in the bottom surface of the bushing flange 21. The pantograph part comprises the pair of holding piece retention parts 31, the pair of upper holding pieces 32a via a first hinge 33a, the lower holding pieces 32b via a second hinge 33b, and the holding piece lower part 35 via a third hinge 33c.

[0102] The pair of holding piece retention parts 31 extend in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the pair of upper holding pieces 32a extend diagonally downwards spreading out in the x direction via the first hinge 33a. The upper holding pieces 32a can bend at the hinges. The lower holding pieces 32b extend diagonally (axially downwards and radially inward) from the bottom of the upper holding pieces 32a via the second hinge 33b. The vertical height of the lower holding pieces 32b is nearly the same as the vertical height of the upper holding pieces 32a.

[0103] The holding piece lower part 35 is connected between the pair of lower holding pieces 32b via the third hinge 33c. The length of the holding piece lower part 35 in the x direction is roughly equivalent to the spacing between the pair of holding piece retention parts 31. As shown in FIG. 13, the external cross section of the holding piece lower part 35 is basically square.

[0104] The pairs of holding piece retention parts 31 and upper holding pieces 32a are connected by the first hinge 33a, the upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b are connected by the second hinge 33, and the lower holding pieces 32b and holding piece lower part 35 are connected by the hinge 33c; therefore enabling the second hinge 33b to expand outwards, the holding piece lower part 35 to move upwards and thus deform into the shape of a pantograph.

[0105] A bottom hole 36 is formed in the center part of the holding piece lower part 35. The bottom hole 36 is sized so as to enable the bushing leg part 25 to pass through. As the upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b fold, the holding piece lower part 35 remains level as it moves upward. The bushing leg part 25 passes through the bottom hole 36 protruding beneath the holding piece lower part 35. The upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b fold, so the bushing leg part 25 passes through the bottom hole 36 and the upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b fold together without disturbing the pantograph shape. As the upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b fold together, the second hinge 33b expands to the outside.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 21, the cross sectional shape of the bottom hole 36 is basically a triangle with each vertex as an arc. With the upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b in a folded state, the bushing leg spreading parts 27 faces each side of the triangle. With the pin leg parts 14 spread, each of the pin leg parts 14 contacts a side of the triangle and is made to pass through the bottom hole 36.

[0107] A pair of bottom protruding parts 37 are formed at the lower part of the flange opening 28 at the part opposite the holding piece lower part 35. The pair of bottom protruding parts 37 protrudes in the y direction. When the pair of upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b are folded the bottom protruding part 37 engages with the flange locking tab 24, enabling retaining of the permanent locked state.

[0108] FIG. 17 is a perspective drawing of the clip 1 with the pin 10 and bushing 20 in temporary locked state. FIG. 18 is a perspective drawing of the clip 1 viewed from a different direction. FIG. 19 is a plan view; FIG. 20 is a front view; FIG. 21 is a bottom view; and FIG. 22 is a right side view of the clip 1. FIG. 23 is a cross sectional drawing along line G-G in FIG. 20.

[0109] In FIG. 17 to FIG. 23, the x direction, y direction, and z direction of the assembled clip 1 are the same as the x direction, y direction, and z direction of the pin 10 and the x direction, y direction, and z direction of the bushing 20.

[0110] The three pin leg parts 14 of the pin 10 are inserted into the three bushing flange holes 23 formed in the bushing flange 21 of the bushing 20 to set the pin 10 and the bushing 20 in a temporary locked state. The three pin leg parts 14 move downward along the bushing leg recess parts 26 of the bushing leg part 25.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 23, at the position the first locks 16 of the pin leg parts 14 move past the flange hole protruding parts 29, the pin leg parts 14 are positioned in the bushing leg recess parts 26 of the bushing leg part 25 but have not reached the bushing leg spreading part 27.

[0112] The pin 10 and the bushing 20 are in temporary locked state in this position.

[0113] In the temporary locked state, the first lock 16 of the pin leg parts 14 engages with the flange hole protruding parts 29 of the bushing 20, stopping the pin 10 from being pulled out. Also, the pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 come into contact with the bushing leg spreading part 27; this opposes the push force on the pin 10, maintaining the temporary locked state.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 21, with the three pin leg parts 14 inserted into the bushing leg recess parts 26 of the bushing leg part 25, the external outer surface cross section of the pin leg parts 14 in the radial direction and the external outer surface cross section of the bushing leg part 25 in the radial direction are basically one circle.

[0115] We shall now describe the method of first attaching the clip 1 in temporary locked state to a mounting member 51. The mounting hole 53 of the mounting member 51 is sized to enable the holding piece lower part 35 to pass through, cause narrowing of the spacing of the second hinge 33b, enabling the upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b to pass through, and the pair of holding piece retention parts 31 to fit into the mounting hole 53. The mounting hole 53 can have the shape of a square, a rectangle, a circle or the like.

[0116] The clip 1 of FIG. 17 in temporary locked state is held, and the upper holding pieces 32a, the lower holding pieces 32b, and the holding piece lower part 35 of the bushing 20 are inserted from above into the mounting hole 53 of the mounting member 51. The spacing of the upper holding pieces 32a and the lower holding pieces 32b narrows to enable passing through the mounting hole 53, and the bottom surface of the bushing flange 21 comes into contact with the upper surface of the mounting member 51.

[0117] Next, the holding piece lower part 35 is pushed up, folding the upper holding pieces 32a and the lower holding pieces 32b. As the upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b fold, the upper surface of the upper holding pieces 32a comes into contact with the bottom surface of the mounting member 51.

[0118] FIG. 24 is a plan view showing the upper holding pieces 32a and the lower holding pieces 32b folded and mounted to the mounting member 51. FIG. 25 is a front view. FIG. 26 is an end view along line J-J of the clip 1 in FIG. 24. FIG. 27 is an end view along line K-K of the clip 1 of FIG. 24; however, the y direction of the coordinate axis applies only to the right half. FIG. 28 is an end view along line L-L of the clip 1 of FIG. 26.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 28, the pair of bottom protruding parts 37 formed on the holding piece lower part 35 engage with the flange locking tabs 24. Thus, the upper holding pieces 32a and the lower holding pieces 32b are unable to return to the state prior to folding.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, the mounting member 51 is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the bushing flange 21 and the upper surface of the upper holding pieces 32a. The thickness of the mounting member 51 is roughly the same as the length of the spacing between the upper surface of the upper holding pieces 32a when folded and the bottom surface of the bushing flange 21. In this state, the pin leg tip parts 15 are positioned in the bushing leg recess parts 26 and are not in contact with the bushing leg spreading part 27. The pin leg parts 14 are not spread.

[0121] Thus, the clip 1 is first attached to the mounting member 51.

[0122] FIG. 29 is a plan view of the clip 1 permanently attached to the member to be mounted to 50.

[0123] FIG. 30 is a front view. FIG. 31 is an end view along line N-N of the clip 1 of FIG. 29; however, the y direction of the coordinate axis applies only to the right half.

[0124] We shall now describe the method of mounting the clip 1 to the member to be mounted to 50. The pin leg parts 14 and the bushing leg part 25 of the clip 1 mounted to the mounting member 50 are inserted into the mounting hole 52 of the member to be mounted to 50. The mounting hole 52 of the member to be mounted to 50 is sufficient if the tip of the bushing leg part 25 of the clip 1 in a temporary locked state and the pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 can pass through.

[0125] The bottom surface of the lower holding pieces 32b and the bottom surface of the holding piece lower part 35 come into contact with the member to be mounted to 50, stopping the clip 1. Next, when the pin flange 11 of the pin 10 is pushed into the flange recess part 22 of the bushing flange 21, the pin leg parts 14 are pushed against the bushing leg spreading part 27 of the bushing leg part 25 and are spread. As shown in FIG. 31, the pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 engage with the spread part step part 27a at the tip of the bushing leg part 25, stopping the pin 10 from being pulled out.

[0126] Also, the second lock 17 of the pin leg parts 14 engages with the flange hole protruding parts 29 of the bushing flange 21, stopping the pin 10 from being pulled out.

[0127] The member to be mounted to 50 is sandwiched and secured between the pin leg parts 14 that are spread, the holding piece lower part 35, and the lower holding pieces 32b.

[0128] Thus, the clip 1 is permanently locked, and the mounting member 51 is attached to the member to be mounted to 50.

[0129] For removal of the clip 1 from the member to be mounted to 50, the tip of a screwdriver or the like is placed between the straight line part 11a of the pin flange 11 and the bushing flange recess part 22 in FIG. 31, and the pin flange 11 is pried up. This will cause the second lock 17 of the pin leg parts 14 and the flange hole protruding parts 29 of the bushing flange 21 to disengage, and the pin leg tip parts 15 of the pin leg parts 14 and the step part 27a of the bushing leg part 25 to disengage. The spread pin leg parts 14 of the pin 10 close up, enabling pulling upwards. The member to be mounted to 50 is released from being sandwiched between the pin leg parts 14 that are spread, the holding piece lower part 35, and the lower holding pieces 32b, thus enabling removal.

[0130] We shall next describe removal of the bushing 20 from the mounting member 51. Upon disengaging the bottom protruding part 37 of the holding piece lower part 35 and the flange locking tab 24 of the flange opening 28 using the tip of a screwdriver or the like, the folded upper holding pieces 32a and lower holding pieces 32b can return to the shape of a pantograph. Upon pushing so that the second hinges 33b become closer to each other, the bushing 20 can be removed from the mounting hole 53 of the mounting member 51.

[0131] The pin 10 and the bushing 20 thus removed can be used again.

[0132] The clip 1 made up of a pin 10 and the bushing 20 according to this embodiment of the present invention can first be attached to a mounting member 51, such as an undercover or the like and then attached to the member to be mounted to 50, such as an automotive panel or the like. Furthermore, after the pin 10 and the bushing 20 are removed, they can be used again.

[0133] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.