Clip for Attaching a Covering

Abstract

Please substitute the new Abstract submitted herewith for the original Abstract: A clip for attaching a covering is designed to be introduced in an installation direction into a passage opening, provided for this purpose, of a vehicle component. The clip has a fastening portion which is designed to position and fix the clip at the passage opening when the clip is introduced in the installation direction into the passage opening. The fastening portion has a contact region which is designed to contact an edge of the passage opening. The clip has a coupling portion which is designed to receive an end portion of a pin and to secure the pin against pulling out, and a resilient portion which has at least one resilient element which connects the fastening portion and the coupling portion to each other.

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. A clip for attaching a covering, wherein the clip is configured to be introduced in an assembly direction into a through-opening provided therefor of a vehicle component, comprising: a securing portion configured to position and fix the clip in the through-opening when the clip is introduced in the assembly direction into the through-opening, wherein the securing portion has a contact region configured to abut an edge of the through-opening; a coupling portion configured to receive an end portion of a pin and to secure the pin against being pulled out of the clip; a resilient portion comprising at least one resilient element which connects the securing portion and the coupling portion to each other, wherein the coupling portion and the resilient portion are dimensioned so as to be movable in the assembly direction through the through-opening provided for the clip.

13. The clip according to claim 12, wherein the securing portion and the resilient portion form a gap, a depth of said gap extending in the assembly direction, the gap allowing a compression of the securing portion so as to allow the securing portion to be introduced into the through-opening.

14. The clip according to claim 12, wherein the securing portion comprises at least one locking projection configured to act counter to removal of the clip from the through-opening.

15. The clip according to claim 12, wherein the securing portion is configured to abut, via the contact region, against a plurality of different sides of the through-opening in order to position the clip in the through-opening along axes which are perpendicular to the assembly direction.

16. The clip according to claim 12, wherein the securing portion has a stop face dimensioned such that the stop face cannot be moved through the through-opening in the assembly direction during assembly of the clip and is configured to fix the vehicle component between the stop face and a locking projection.

17. The clip according to claim 12, wherein the securing portion has at least one approach face configured to guide the clip, when the clip is introduced into the through-opening in the assembly direction, to the contact region of the securing portion at the edge of the through-opening.

18. The clip according to claim 12, wherein the coupling portion comprises a receiving member of a quarter turn cap and/or the resilient portion comprises at least one arcuate resilient element.

19. A securing apparatus, comprising: a clip according to claim 12; and an associated pin configured to be secured in the coupling portion by an end portion of the pin.

20. The securing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pin has a thickness in a central portion in abutment with the end portion which prevents compression of the securing portion perpendicularly to the assembly direction when the pin is introduced into the clip.

21. A vehicle component, comprising: the clip according to claim 12; and the vehicle component having the through-opening, in which the clip is arranged, wherein the contact region of the securing portion abuts an edge of the through-opening.

22. The vehicle component according to claim 21, further comprising: an associated pin configured to be secured in the coupling portion by an end portion of the pin.

23. A method for attaching a covering to a vehicle component, comprising: mounting a clip by introducing the clip into a through-opening of a vehicle component, wherein assembly is brought about by introducing the clip in an assembly direction, the clip comprising: (i) a securing portion configured to position and fix the clip in the through-opening when the clip is introduced in the assembly direction into the through-opening, wherein the securing portion has a contact region configured to abut an edge of the through-opening; (ii) a coupling portion configured to receive an end portion of a pin and to secure the pin against being pulled out of the clip; (iii) a resilient portion comprising at least one resilient element which connects the securing portion and the coupling portion to each other, wherein the coupling portion and the resilient portion are dimensioned so as to be movable in the assembly direction through the through-opening provided for the clip; arranging the covering on the vehicle component, wherein an assembly opening of the covering is arranged over the clip; and introducing the pin into the clip through the assembly opening in order to fix the covering between the clip and a head of the clip, wherein the pin is introduced in the assembly direction into the clip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIGS. 1a to 1c are different views of a clip according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary vehicle component with a through-opening which is provided for assembling the clip; and

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an illustration of the clip, the pin, the covering and the vehicle component in a sectional depiction in an assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c show a clip 1 according to an embodiment of the invention in different views. The clip 1 is a one-piece structural element. The clip 1 is configured to be introduced into a through-opening 20 which is provided therefor of a vehicle component 21 in an assembly direction 100 which here is an X direction. To this end, the clip 1 can be pressed into the provided through-opening 20 during assembly by hand in the assembly direction 100 and locks in the through-opening 20 when the clip 1 has reached an end position.

[0031] The clip 1 is subdivided into different regions or portions which perform different functions. Thus, the clip 1 comprises a securing portion 4, a coupling portion 2 and a resilient portion 3.

[0032] The securing portion 4 is configured to position the clip 1 in the through-opening 20 and to fix it when the clip 1 is introduced in the assembly direction 100 into the through-opening 20 which is provided in a vehicle component 21 for assembling the clip 1. In this embodiment, the securing portion 4 has a stop face 12, a locking projection 5, a contact region 8, 9 and a plurality of approach faces 6. In this case, the securing portion 4 is divided into two portions by a gap 11.

[0033] The clip 1 is configured to be mounted in an associated provided through-opening 20. Such a through-opening 20 is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the through-opening 20 is introduced in an exemplary vehicle component 21. The vehicle component 21 is illustrated in a merely simplified manner in FIG. 2 and is typically a carrier structure, in particular a carrier pipe, of a vehicle. The clip 1 has a plurality of side faces which extend around the clip 1 in the securing portion 4. Thus, the clip 1 has two mutually opposite first sides 8 which each abut one of two opposite first sides 22 of the through-opening 20 when the clip 1 is introduced in this through-opening 20. Furthermore, the clip 1 has a plurality of second side faces 9 which abut two mutually opposite second sides 23 of the through-opening 20 when the clip 1 is introduced in this through-opening 20. Since the through-opening 20 in this embodiment is substantially a rectangular shape, the first and second sides 8, 9 of the clip 1 are located so that they produce in the securing portion 4 substantially a region with a square cross section, wherein the contact region 8 extends around the clip in the vertical axis thereof which is directed along the X axis and consequently around the assembly direction. Since the contact region 8, 9 is formed in such a manner that the outer circumference thereof corresponds to an inner circumference of the associated through-opening 20, the contact region 8, 9 is configured to abut the edge of the through-opening 20 when the clip 1 is introduced into the through-opening 20.

[0034] The stop face 12 of the clip 1 delimits the contact region 8, 9 of the clip 1 at one side which comes into contact last with the vehicle component 21 when the clip 1 is introduced in the assembly direction 100. Since the assembly direction 100 is directed in FIG. 1 in an upward direction, the stop face 12 is consequently under the contact region 8, 9. The stop face 12 has such dimensions that it cannot be moved through the through-opening 20 in the assembly direction when the clip 1 is assembled. This can be seen on the right in FIG. 2. The stop face 12 has an external circumference which is greater than an internal circumference of the through-opening 20. Consequently, the stop face 12 comes to rest on a surface of the vehicle component 21 when the clip 1 is introduced into the through-opening 20. If the clip 1 is introduced into the through-opening 20, the vehicle component 21 is fixed between the stop face 12 and the locking projection 5. In the embodiment described here, the clip 1 has two locking projections 5 which directly adjoin the first sides 8 of the contact region 8, 9 in the assembly direction, that is to say, are located in FIG. 1 above the contact region 8, 9.

[0035] It is evident that the locking projections 5 project beyond the contact region 8, 9, whereby the vehicle component 21 can be received between the locking projection 5 and the stop face 12. The contact region 8, 9 therefore preferably has a height in the X direction which corresponds to a thickness of the vehicle component 21, in which the clip 1 is intended to be mounted. Since the locking projections 5 extend over the circumference of the contact region 8, 9, the clip 1 could be pressed into the through-opening 20 only with increased expenditure of force. In order to make this easier, the gap 11 is arranged in the securing portion 4 and the resilient portion 3. The securing portion 4 and the resilient portion 3 consequently form the gap 11, wherein the gap extends in terms of the depth thereof in the intended assembly direction 100, in this case the X direction. The gap 11 extends through the clip 1 in a Y direction. It is thereby possible for the securing portion 4 to be able to be pressed together in a Z direction, that is to say, compressed. Consequently, the gap 11 allows a compression of the securing portion 4. It thereby becomes possible or at least easier to introduce the securing portion 4 into the through-opening 20. If the clip 1 is compressed along the Z axis thereof, the locking projections 5 are displaced to an interior of the clip, that is to say, in the direction of the gap 11, whereby the locking projections 5 can be guided by the through-opening 20. In this case, the clip 1 can be compressed either by an associated tool or be pressed by hand into the through-opening 20. In one embodiment, this is facilitated in that the locking projections 5 each have an inclined approach member, by which the securing portion 4 is compressed when the locking projections 5 are pressed against an edge of the through-opening 20.

[0036] If the clip 1 is introduced into the through-opening 20, the securing portion 4 is not further compressed and the locking projections 5 come to rest in the assembly direction behind the vehicle component 21. Since the locking projections 5 in the assembled position do not have an approach face on a side facing the vehicle component 21, the clip 1 is secured against being pulled out. Consequently, removal of the clip 1 from the through-opening 20 is combatted.

[0037] Furthermore, the securing portion 4 has an approach face 6, in the embodiment shown four approach faces 6 which are configured to guide the clip 1 when the clip 1 is introduced into the through-opening 20 in the assembly direction 100 the contact region 8, 9 of the securing portion on the edge of the through-opening. This means that, as a result of the approach faces 6, the clip 1 is orientated toward the through-opening 20. This effect is further supported by the locking projections 5 at least in a first phase of the clip 1 being introduced into the through-opening 20. In this case, the approach faces 6 position the clip 1 in a Y direction and the locking projection 5 positions the clip 1 in a Z direction. Since the clip 1 fits into the through-opening 20 in a precisely fitting manner with the contact region 8, 9, consequently, it becomes easier to assemble the clip 1. The approach faces 6 are in this case faces which taper the contact region 8, 9 at the second side 9 in the circumference thereof in the assembly direction 100. The approach faces 6 are consequently located parallel with the Z axis and have an angle in the XY plane. Accordingly, the locking projections 5 are parallel with the Y axis and have an angle in the XZ plane.

[0038] The securing portion 4 is configured to abut a plurality of different sides of the through-opening 20 with the contact region 8, 9 in order to position the clip 1 in the through-opening along axes which are perpendicular to the assembly direction 100. The axes which are perpendicular to the assembly direction 100 are the Y axis and the Z axis in the depiction shown in FIG. 1. Since the clip 1 abuts the first sides 22 of the vehicle component 21 during assembly in the vehicle component 21 in the Z axis, the clip is positioned and fixed in the Z direction. In that the clip 1 abuts the second sides 23 of the through-opening 20 with the contact region 8, 9 in the Y axis, the clip 1 is positioned and fixed in the through-opening 20 in the Y direction. In that the vehicle component 21 is received in a precisely fitting manner between the locking projection 5 and the stop face 12, the clip is also positioned and fixed in the through-opening 20 in the X direction.

[0039] The coupling portion 2 is connected to the securing portion 4 by the resilient portion 3. The resilient portion 3 has in this case a first resilient element 3a and a second resilient element 3b. The first resilient element 3a and the second resilient element 3b are each arcuate resilient elements. In this case, a start of the arc begins at the securing portion 4 and an end of the arc ends at the coupling portion 2. In this case, the resilient portion 3 is formed in such a manner that it allows a resilient action in the assembly direction, in this instance in the X direction.

[0040] The clip 1 is provided to receive the pin 40. In this case, in particular the coupling portion 2 is configured to receive an end portion of the pin 40 and to thereby secure the pin 40 against being pulled out. The securing portion 4 has to this end a central opening 7, through which the pin 40 can be introduced into the clip 1 and the end portion of the pin 40 can be guided through the resilient portion 3, in this instance between the first resilient element 3a and the second resilient element 3b, in order to introduce the end portion of the pin 40 into the coupling portion 2. In order to fix the end portion 41 of the pin 40, the coupling portion 2 has a receiving member 13 of a quarter turn cap. Accordingly, a pin which is associated with the clip 1 has in the end portion 41 of the pin 40 which abuts a shaft of the pin 40 two wings 44 which engage in the quarter turn cap. Such a pin 40 having two wings 44 in the end portion 41 thereof is also referred to as a dart pin. If the pin 40 is rotated through 90°, they can no longer be pulled out of the coupling portion 2 counter to the assembly direction 100. At the same time, the coupling portion 2 is pulled in the direction of the securing portion 4 by the pin 40 being rotated and the associated rotation of the wings of the pin 40, whereby the resilient portion 3 is placed under tension.

[0041] The pin 40 further has a head 43 which is connected to the end portion 41 of the pin by the central portion 42 of the pin 40.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a securing apparatus which has the above-described clip 1 and the associated pin 40. It is evident that the end portion 41 of the pin 40 is secured in the coupling portion 2. Thus, the two wings 44 of the end portion 41 of the pin 40 are rotated in the coupling portion 2 in such a manner that the pin 40 cannot be pulled out of the coupling portion 2. FIG. 3 further shows that the pin 40 has the head 43 which is not introduced into the clip 1 but instead fixes the covering 50 between the clip 1 and the head 43 of the clip 40. In this case, the covering 50 has an assembly opening 51, the internal diameter of which corresponds to an external diameter of a shaft of the pin, in this case the central portion 42 of the pin 40. The assembly opening 51 of the covering 50 can further in this case have at least one corresponding receiving member so that the wings 44 of the pin 40 can be guided through the covering 50.

[0043] The central portion 42 of the pin 40 adjoins the end portion 41 and has a thickness which prevents compression of the securing portion 4 perpendicularly to the assembly direction 100 when the pin 40 is introduced into the clip 1. Thus, the clip 1 cannot be further compressed in the Z direction when the pin 40 is introduced into the clip 1. To this end, the through-opening which is provided for the pin 40 has in the securing portion 4 in the Z direction a width which corresponds to the thickness of the central portion 42 of the pin 40. In the Y direction, this through-opening has a greater width so that the wings 44 can be moved by the securing portion 4. In that the clip 1 and in particular the securing portion 4 cannot be compressed, the locking projections 5 cannot be moved out of the vehicle component 21. Consequently, the clip 1 is secured in the vehicle component 21. The vehicle component 21, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2, consequently has the through-opening 20, in which the clip 1 is arranged, wherein the contact region 8, 9 of the securing portion 4 abuts an edge of the through-opening 20.

[0044] A method for attaching a covering 50 to a vehicle component 21 preferably comprises assembling the above-described clip 1 by introducing the clip 1 in the through-opening 20 of the vehicle component 21, wherein the assembly is carried out by introducing the clip 1 in the assembly direction 100. In this case, during the assembly of the clip, the clip 1 is preferably compressed in a direction which is perpendicular to the assembly direction, in this case a Z direction, and introduced in the assembly direction 100 into the through-opening 20. The compression is preferably carried out by pressing the clip 1 together by means of two approach faces of two locking projections 5. In an additional step, the covering 50 is arranged on the vehicle component 21, wherein an assembly opening 51 of the covering 50 is arranged over the clip 1. In order to secure the covering 50 on the vehicle component 21, a pin 40 is further introduced through the assembly opening 51 of the covering 50, into the clip 1, and the pin 40 is fixed in the clip 1 in order to fix the covering 50 between the clip 1 and a head 43 of the pin 40. The pin 40 is introduced into the clip 1 in the assembly direction. Furthermore, the clip is fixed in the clip 1 particularly by a quarter turn.

[0045] Consequently, it is possible to attach the covering 50 to the vehicle component 21, even if access to the vehicle component 21 exists only from one side.

[0046] Reference is made explicitly to the disclosure of FIGS. 1 to 3 in addition to the above disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0047] 1 Clip [0048] 2 Coupling portion [0049] 3 Resilient portion [0050] 3a First resilient element [0051] 3b Second resilient element [0052] 4 Securing portion [0053] 5 Locking projection [0054] 6 Approach face [0055] 7 Central opening [0056] 8 First sides of the contact region [0057] 9 Second sides of the contact region [0058] 11 Gap [0059] 12 Stop face [0060] 13 Receiving member [0061] 20 Through-opening [0062] 21 Vehicle component [0063] 22 First sides of the through-opening [0064] 23 Second sides of the through-opening [0065] 40 Pin [0066] 41 End portion of the pin [0067] 42 Central portion of the pin [0068] 43 Head of the pin [0069] 44 Wing of the pin [0070] 50 Covering [0071] 51 Assembly opening [0072] 100 Assembly direction