FR2878206A1 - End clamp groove for e.g. protective bodyside molding, has reinforcing ribs placed perpendicular to longitudinal axis and molded from part with one of lateral walls, where lower side of ribs is not or only punctually connected to lower side - Google Patents

Abstract

The groove has two lateral walls (13) connected by an upper wall to form a bridge for maintaining a fixation head (11) remote from a lower side (4) of a molding (2). Reinforcing ribs (16) are placed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, and integrated or molded from a part with one lateral wall. A lower side (22) of the ribs is not or only punctually connected to the side (4). A free space (25) is provided between the sides (22, 4). An independent claim is also included for a protective bodyside molding having end clamps provided with a groove.

Description

The present invention relates to an improved reported attachment clip,

  intended mainly for chopsticks, moldings, seat-belt or rocker covers for road vehicles in particular

automotive type.

  The invention relates more particularly to a fixing clip pocket molded in one piece with the rear face of a rod and provided with reinforcing ribs which generate no or little sink.

  The invention also relates to a protective strip or embellishment for bodywork of road vehicles including the automotive type comprising such improved clips.

  Protective or embellishment rods of this type are plastic parts made by injection molding, designed to be fixedly mounted on the bodywork of a vehicle.

  In known manner, the body has a series of openings for receiving and cooperating with fasteners of the rod located vis-à-vis.

  Conventionally, the rods have on their rear face a longitudinal hollow space, continuous and open towards the body of the vehicle, which are housed in these fasteners, called fastening clips.

  In the prior art, there are known fastening elements, called attachment clips, consisting of several separately manufactured parts, to be assembled beforehand or during assembly of the rod on the bodywork. Such fasteners have for example been described in the previous applications FR 2,726,519 and FR 2,748,300 in the name of the applicant.

  These clips include a hollow box base, called clip pocket, which serves as a base for attachment to the inner face of the rod.

  At their free end, they have a fixing head intended to engage in an opening of the bodywork associated therewith. This fixing head is composed of one or more pieces to report and assemble on the clip pocket in the case of a reported clip.

  These clip pockets are responsible for defects in appearance on the visible side of the item to report on a body, baguette type, headband, molding or other. These defects in appearance result from local differences in the accumulation of molten plastic or localized disturbances of the flow thereof at the time of molding.

  Indeed, the localized presence of the base of the clips disrupts the flow of the injection ply by interrupting or by suddenly deflecting it. The disturbance of the flow creates microdeformations called sinkholes, visible on the external face of the element to report.

  It turns out that currently, these defects in appearance are no longer acceptable by car manufacturers, especially on glossy and lacquered surfaces of accessories for current cars.

  To minimize sink problems and minimize appearance defects on the visible outer face of the wand, the contact surfaces between the clip and the skin of the wand should be kept to a minimum. As such, a hollow box base or clip pocket is preferred over a solid structure. For the same reason, the side walls of this clip pocket often have a lower part of smaller thickness, called necking.

  The base of the clip is a box-shaped trapezoidal or rectangular structure, having two facing side walls connected by an upper wall and whose thickness of the lower zone of contact with the rod, called necking, is minimal.

  To improve the stability of the box thus formed, one can close the rear of this box by connecting the two side walls parallel or not by a rear wall not connected to the inner face of the rod to limit shrinkage. The stability of the box thus formed is optimal when the side walls are not parallel, that is to say that the box is narrower at the back than at the front, when they rise inclined and convergent and when the box is reinforced by a rear wall.

  However, it is not always possible or desirable to make non-parallel or converging sidewalls, especially for problems of proximity to the edge of the room or interference with the technical elements of the mold. In this case, the side walls of the box are made substantially parallel, which generates a risk of folding of the clip pocket in case of lateral force on the clip during assembly or during efforts exerted on the stick mounted for example by washing rollers. This risk is amplified by the necking necessary to reduce the shrinkage. The decrease in the wall thickness at the connection to the inner wall of the rod weakens the rigidity of the clip pocket.

  Furthermore, to receive the fastening head associated therewith, the upper wall of the casing conventionally has a longitudinal slot open on the opposite side to the rear wall of the box. In case of tearing efforts of the rod, for example during washing, the slot tends to widen to open the clip pocket and finally release the attachment head of the reported clip.

  Reinforcing means are therefore necessary to prevent the folding of the clip pockets or the opening of their slot which would be responsible for poor attachment of the rod leading to its recess and its loss.

  To effectively combat these possibilities of transverse folding or opening of the clip pocket, the reinforcing means must be arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the rod. They are then placed perpendicular to the flow of material during the injection and therefore the most unfavorable with respect to the formation of sinkholes.

  Surprisingly, the invention teaches a reinforcing rib for a clip pocket of this type, perpendicular to the side walls of the pocket of the fastening clip to effectively oppose its transverse folding or opening, but which does not generate or little shrink on the visible outer face of the rod.

  To solve this technical problem, the invention provides a clip pocket, for an attached fastening clip intended to ensure attachment to a receiving surface and more particularly to the bodywork of a road vehicle, a decorative linear element and / or or functional, for example of the type baguette, band, molding, hubcap belt or rocker.

  This pocket is molded in one piece with the inner face of the linear element. It comprises two side walls, joined at the top by an upper wall from which rises the attached fastening head of the fastening clip and forms a material bridge defining a hollow space.

  According to the invention, it comprises at least one reinforcing rib disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip pocket, integral or molded in one piece with one of the side walls of the pocket and whose side inferior is not or is only punctually connected to the inner face of the linear element. A free space of low height thus exists between the lower side of the rib and the inner face of the linear element.

  Preferably, this reinforcing rib may be provided on its lower side with at least one base extending locally downwardly from the rib, so as to establish a point connection with the inner face of the linear element.

  Advantageously, this base can be located at the corresponding side wall of the clip pocket, preferably in the extension thereof, its dimensions corresponding to the thickness of this wall at this level.

  The invention also provides an attachment clip, intended to ensure the attachment to a receiving surface and more particularly to the body of a road vehicle, a decorative and / or functional linear element, for example of the baguette type, strip , molding, belt surround or rocker cover. This fixing clip comprises an attached fastening head designed to cooperate with a mounting opening arranged opposite in the receiving surface and a clip pocket according to the invention connecting it to the linear element.

  The invention further provides a protective strip or embellishment for bodywork of road vehicles including the automotive type, which has on its inner face at least one attachment clip according to the invention, intended to cooperate with a corresponding opening located facing in the body of the vehicle.

  Thanks to the particularly inventive design of the clip pocket and the reinforcing rib according to the invention, the shrinkage is eliminated or at least greatly reduced to a level acceptable by the car manufacturers.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the inner face of a rod section comprising a plurality of clips according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a fastening clip according to a first variant of the invention; 15. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a strip at one of its fastening clips, this clip being similar to that shown in Figure 2 and corresponding to a first embodiment of the invention; 20. Figure 4 is a top plan view of a rod section provided with a fastening clip similar to that of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of a fastening clip according to a second variant of the invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a strip at one of its fastening clips, this clip being similar to that shown in Figure 5 and corresponding to a second variant of the invention.

  The fastener clip pocket according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The equivalent elements shown in the various figures will bear the same numerical references.

  The present invention relates generally to a linear element to be fixed on a surface and more particularly on the bodywork of a road vehicle.

  By linear element is meant more particularly any decorative element and / or functional for example of the type rod, strip, molding and other that is fixed on doors, seat belts, sills or other parts of the bodywork. a road vehicle. For the sake of convenience, all these objects will be grouped by the single word stick.

  By convention in this description, we define the notions of top and bottom, front and rear or other, depending on the orientation of the clip as shown in: Figures.

  In the various figures, there is shown a fixing clip and a rod constituting preferred embodiments of the invention. Indeed, the fastening clips shown in the figures and described in the remainder of the application all include a fastening head attached to the clip pocket having a latch type quarter turn.

  However, it should be understood that these figures and the detailed description thereof are given by way of example and are in no way limitative of the scope of the invention. The invention can thus be applied without difficulty to those skilled in the art to other models or types of clip.

  In Figure 1, a section 1 of a rod 2 according to the invention has been shown.

  This section 1 of rod 2 is in the form of an elongated piece which has two faces, an outer face 3 visible when the rod is mounted, for example curved convex, and an inner face 4, for example concave, applied and fixed against a receiving surface for example the sheet metal of a body.

  The body of the rod 2 thus defines on the side of its inner face 4 a hollow space 5 longitudinal, continuous and open, intended to be placed in the direction of the receiving surface, preferably the body of a vehicle.

  Conventionally, the hollow space 5 is limited on the sides by two longitudinal flanges 6, substantially vertical or oblique according to the requirements of style.

  The rod 2 has on its inner face 4 fast mounting means 7 for mounting the rod 2 on the receiving surface. These fixing means 7 are here of the type known under the general name of fastening clips 8.

  The fastening clips 8 shown in Figure 1 correspond to the first variant of the invention. However, this is only an illustrative example. The strip 2 according to the invention is in fact not limited to this type of clip, but may include any other variant of clip included in the scope of the claims and in particular the second variant clip which will be described in the following this description .

  To ensure the mounting and fixing of the rod 2 on the receiving surface, these fastening clips 8 are designed to cooperate with a series of unrepresented openings, provided opposite in the receiving surface, preferably the sheet of the body including the level of doors or rockers.

  The fastening clips 8 exist in several places over the entire length of the body of the rod 2 so as to ensure a uniform and solid maintenance of the molded part against the body sheet. They are arranged in a predetermined spacing corresponding to that of the openings with which they are found vis-à-vis when the rod is positioned against the bodywork.

  In Figure 1, there is shown the attachment clips 8 positioned equidistantly along the center line of the rod. Nevertheless, according to the rod patterns and the possibilities of openings in the body, these clips can be arranged differently.

  For example, they may be aligned or not, placed on one or more rows extending along the center line or offset (s) relative thereto, with any spacing between the different clips. The fastening clips 8, in any number, may even be in different planes if for example the rod is intended to cover a junction between two joined body planes.

  Each fastening clip 8 comprises a base called clip pocket 9 of the upper wall 10 from which protrudes an attachment head 11 attached, designed as a hooking or clipping structure, to engage in the opening of bodywork corresponding.

  In the embodiment shown, the base or clip pocket 9 is a tunnel structure, which delimits a hollow space 12 open on two of its opposite faces.

  The base 9 is connected to the inner face 4 of the rod 2 by two side walls 13, preferably non-parallel so that the bottom of the pocket is narrower than the pocket opening, which rise substantially vertically, but preferably slightly inclined and convergent to improve the stability of the dihedron thus formed.

  These side walls 13 are joined at the top by the upper wall 10 of the clip pocket 9 and thus form a material bridge of sufficient height to maintain the fixing head 11 away from the inner face 4 of the rod 2 of a value catching the concavity arrow of the rod to allow attachment to the sheet of the body.

  According to the embodiments, the side walls 13 can be made symmetrical. They may, however, be of different height and / or inclination (s), which makes it possible to incline the fixing head 11 at will.

  According to other embodiments, the base 9 can also be closed by a rear wall in order to improve its rigidity.

  To limit shrinkage problems and minimize appearance defects on the visible outer face 3 of the wand, the contact surfaces between the fastening clip 8 and the skin of the wand must be kept to a minimum. As a result, a hollow box base 9 is preferred over a solid structure. For the same reason, the side walls 13 often comprise a lower portion 14 of junction with the rod whose thickness is smaller, which is called necking.

  But this necking 14, necessary to reduce shrinkage, weakens the rigidity of the clip pocket and in case of tearing efforts of the rod, for example during washing, the slot 32 open on the opposite side to the possible wall rear of the case tends to widen to open the clip pocket. The clip pocket 9 thus formed has only a limited stability and insufficient resistance to the opening of the bag in case of traction on the rod.

  To improve these characteristics, the clip pocket according to the invention comprises reinforcement means 15 which are in the form of at least one rib 16 disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip pocket 9 and secured to or molded in one piece with one of the side walls 13 of the clip pocket 9.

  Preferably, the clip pocket 9 according to the invention comprises two reinforcing ribs 16, placed one on each side of the pocket 9 and extending towards the outside of the pocket 9.

  This or these reinforcing ribs (s) 16 are preferably molded at the front of the clip pocket 9, that is to say on the side of the opening of the slot 32, in one piece with the front part of the corresponding side wall 13 and / or of the upper wall 10.

  Indeed, the upper wall 10 closed at the rear of the slot 32 and the possible rear wall of the clip pocket limit the opening at the rear of the clip pocket. It is therefore important to limit the opening of the clip pocket at the front, that is to say the side of the opening of the slot.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of these ribs 16, preferably both, is in the form of a substantially flat wing 17 and triangular general outline. The triangular wing 17 may thus comprise an enlarged base 18 progressively reducing upwards and ending in a pointed peak 19.

  Preferably, the wing 17 has an inner side 20 secured to or molded in one piece with the corresponding side wall 13 of the clip pocket 9.

  As shown, this inner side 20 is not necessarily straight but can follow the changes in thickness of the side wall 13 in particular at its necking 14. In addition, it is not necessarily limited to the field of the side wall 13 but may also be extended by one or more extension (s) 21 extending for example along the field of the upper wall 10 of the clip pocket.

  The wing 17 also has a lower side 22 and a free and inclined outer side 23, preferably extending as far as the upper wall 10 of the clip pocket 9.

  According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the lower side 22 of the reinforcing rib 16 is not or only occasionally connected to the inner face 4 of the rod 2.

  In case of connection, the wing 17 is connected to the inner face 4 of the rod only over a very small area, the contact preferably taking place via a base 24, which extends towards the down the reinforcing rib 16 and is preferably located at the corresponding side wall 13 of the clip pocket.

  Preferably, the base 24 is in the extension of the side wall 13 and its dimensions correspond to the thickness thereof at this level. Thus, it causes no additional shrinkage in addition to the traces inherent in the presence of the clip pocket 9. These are limited because of the orientation substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side walls 13 of the clip pocket.

  In order to avoid the problems of formation of the aforementioned sinkholes, the rest of the reinforcing rib 16 is not in contact with the inner face 4 of the rod, the lower side 22 being cantilevered from the base 24.

  There is thus a free space or clearance 25 located between the inner face 4 of the rod 2 and the lower side 22 of the reinforcing rib 16. Preferably, this clearance 25 has a low height, the latter having been deliberately exaggerated on the figures to allow a better understanding of the reader. According to a preferred embodiment, its height is for example substantially equal to 0.5 mm.

  Therefore, and although oriented perpendicularly to the flow direction of the flow of material injected during molding, the reinforcing rib 16 according to the invention does not cause interruption thereof and only disturbs it. very little. It therefore generates little or no shrinkage on the visible outer face 3 of the rod 2.

  On the other hand, it manages very effectively to fulfill the function that justifies its presence, that is to say, mainly to prevent the opening of the clip pocket 9. Indeed, in case of tearing effort s exerting on the fastening clip 8, the slot 32 will begin to widen causing tilting of the reinforcing rib 16 until its lower side 22 comes into contact with the inner face 4 of the rod 2.

  Once this contact is made, everything happens as if the rib 16 was connected in the lower part to the inner face 4 of the rod.

  The opening of the clip pocket 9 is thus limited to the clearance 25 between the lower side 22 of the rib and the inner face 4 of the rod, which is preferably of very low height. It has no consequence on the good behavior of the stick afterwards.

  The thickness of the rib 16 may advantageously be relatively large so as to ensure good quality reinforcement once the contact is established. Indeed, the rib is not directly connected to the rod, its thickness has no impact on the formation of appearance defects on the visible outer face 3 of the rod.

  When the clip pocket 9 comprises two or more reinforcing ribs 16, they may be identical, symmetrical and / or of the same size. However, they are not necessarily so. Indeed, they must adapt to the height and inclination of the side walls 13 of the pocket which are not necessarily identical, and the curvature of the rod 2.

  Contrary to what has been illustrated, the reinforcement ribs 16 may be in any number and are not always arranged at the front of the clip pocket 9. For example, embodiments may be envisaged in which these ribs 16 extend at the rear of the clip pocket 9, substantially in the middle of the side walls: 13 or in any other appropriate area of the side walls 13 of the clip pocket 9.

  In some cases, particularly in the case of rods subjected to significant lateral forces or large rods and / or high weight, it may be desirable to further improve the reinforcement provided by the rib 16.

  The reinforcement rib 16 can then, according to a second variant of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, comprise an additional base 26 preferably disposed near the opposite free end 27 of its lower side 22.

  Advantageously, the reinforcing rib 16 may then comprise two legs 24 and 26, each placed at one end of its lower side 22.

  The additional base is an additional connection with the inner face 4 of the rod, of limited extent and preferably almost punctual. Most of the lower side 22 of the rib 16 is thus kept at a distance from the wall of the rod to limit the production of sinkholes.

  This embodiment with two legs 24 and 26 will preferably be reserved for finishing rods for example matte or grained for which appearance defects in grazing light are less noticeable on varnished rods, glossy or lacquered, for example.

  Each fastening clip 8 comprises in the upper part a fixing head 11 intended to immobilize the strip 2 against the receiving surface or the body of the vehicle when it cooperates with the corresponding mounting opening.

  This fixing head 11 is attached to the clip pocket 9 and secured thereto by any appropriate means. It can be formed of one or more independent part (s).

  In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the various figures, the attachment head 11 is an independent piece, mounted and immobilized on the clip pocket 9.

  At the level of the fixing head 11, this immobilization is effected by means of a lower fastening portion 28 composed for example of a central core 29, which is preferably substantially vertical, and of two clamping plates, the lower one 30 and the other upper 31, substantially parallel and preferably substantially horizontal.

  The clip pocket 9 has in this variant, a longitudinal slot 32 formed in its upper wall 10 and open at one of its ends to receive the attached fastening head.

  To achieve the assembly, the central core 29 is inserted into the longitudinal slot 32 and slides to the closed edge thereof. The upper wall 10 of the clip pocket 9 is then stuck to immobilization between the two clamping plates 30 and 31.

  The fixing head 11 also comprises a hooking structure 33 which rises towards the receiving surface and which is designed to cooperate with the mounting opening arranged opposite in this surface.

  The shape of this attachment structure 33 can be varied and depends, among other things, on the shape of the fitting opening that corresponds to it. An example of such a structure 33 has been given in the various figures accompanying this description. It is, however, only a possibility which in no way limits the scope of the invention.

  In the various figures, the attachment structure 33 is in the form of a flattened cone 34 in which two diametrically opposed quarters 35 are missing. Such a hooking structure 33 allows quarter-turn type locking.

  Preferably, the fastening clips 8 may further comprise a sealing plate 36 intended to close the body openings when the rod is in place, in order to limit the entry of water and dirt into the interior of the body. bodywork and mitigate the transmission of rolling noise.

  This plate 36, preferably substantially parallel to the rod, overcomes the clip pocket 9 and extends under the fastening structure 33 so as to end up after assembly in contact with the marginal edge of the opening cut in the sheet metal of the vehicle body.

  However, it can also be expected that the sealing plate 36 is not in contact with the body, but is close to it when the rod is mounted in the end position. Total waterproofness is no longer guaranteed.

  However, the entries of water, dust and dirt are greatly reduced by the presence of the sealing plate 36 and the edges 6 of the rod resting against the bodywork.

  This sealing plate 36 is, for example as shown, of substantially circular shape. It may be substantially flat or have a concavity or a rim directed (e) towards the opening.

  According to another conceivable variant, the sealing plate 36 may be merged with the upper clamping plate 31 or with the upper wall 10 of the clip pocket 9, which are then shaped so as to also fulfill this function.

  It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the clip pockets, fastening clips and sticks as described above and shown in the figures. It also extends to all variants imaginable by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

  1. Clip pocket (9) for an attached fastening clip (8) for attachment to a receiving surface and more particularly to the bodywork of a road vehicle, a decorative linear element (2) and / or functional, for example of the type baguette, strip, molding, belt or rocker cover, this pocket (9) being integrally molded with the inner face (4) of the linear element (2), having two side walls (13) joined at the top by an upper wall (10) from which the fastening head (11) of the fastening clip is raised and forming a material bridge which delimits a hollow space (12) , characterized in that it comprises at least one reinforcing rib (16) disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip pocket (9), secured or molded in one piece with one of the side walls (13) of the pocket (9) and whose lower side (22) is not or is only occasionally connected to the inner face (4) of the linear element (2), and in that a free space (25) of low height exists between the lower side (22) of the rib (16) and the inner face (4) of the linear element (2).   2. clip pocket according to the preceding claim characterized in that this at least one reinforcing rib (16) is provided on its lower side (22) of at least one base (24) locally extending the rib (16) to the bottom, so as to establish a point connection with the inner face (4) of the linear element (2).   3. clip pocket according to the preceding claim characterized in that this at least one leg (24) is located at the side wall (13) corresponding to the clip pocket (9).   4. clip pocket according to the preceding claim characterized in that this at least one leg (24) is located in the extension of the side wall (13), its dimensions corresponding to the thickness thereof at this level.   5. clip pocket according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that this at least one reinforcing rib (16) has only one base (24), the rest of its lower side (22) is cantilevered from this base.   6. clip pocket according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that this at least one reinforcing rib (16) comprises two legs (24, 26) each placed at one end of its lower side ( 22).   7. Clip pocket according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the height of the free space (25) existing between the lower side (22) of the rib (16) and the inner face (4) of the linear element (2) is substantially equal to 0.5 mm.   8. Clip pocket according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that this at least one reinforcing rib (16) is molded at the front of the clip pocket (9), in one piece with the part before the corresponding side wall (13).   9. Clip pocket according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the at least one reinforcing rib (16) is in the form of a substantially plane wing (17) and triangular general outline 10. Clip pocket according to the preceding claim characterized in that the triangular flange (17) comprises an enlarged base (18) gradually decreasing upwards and ending in a peak tip (19) extending to the upper wall (10) of the clip pocket (9).   11. clip pocket according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that this at least one reinforcing rib (16) is of relatively large thickness.   12. Clip pocket according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises two reinforcing ribs (16), placed one on each side of the clip pocket (9) and extending outwardly.   13. Clip pocket according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that its two side walls (13) are not parallel and rise slightly inclined and convergent manner.   14. clip pocket according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the side walls (13) comprise a lower portion (14) of junction with the linear element (2) whose thickness is smaller ,.   15. Mounted attachment clip for fixing on a receiving surface and more particularly on the bodywork of a road vehicle, a linear element (2) decorative and / or functional, for example of the type stick, strip, molding , belt or rocker cover, this fastening clip (8) comprising a clip pocket (9) connecting it to the linear element (2) and an attachment head (11) attached, designed to cooperate with a mounting aperture arranged opposite in the receiving surface, characterized in that the clip pocket (9) is in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.   16. Fixing clip according to the preceding claim characterized in that it further comprises a sealing plate (36).   17. Baguette (2) protection or embellishment for bodywork of road vehicles including the automotive type, having on its inner face (4) at least one fastening clip (8) reported for cooperating with a corresponding opening located in view in the vehicle body, characterized in that this at least one fastening clip (8) is in accordance with claim 15 or claim 16.