Fastening clip
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsChristopher F. Bidlake, Alexander W. Sherrill, Jason T. Spain, Gregory G. Buczynski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastening clip is configured to securely couple a first component to a second component. The fastening clip includes a first frame connected to an opposed second frame by an arcuate transition beam. Each of the first and second frames includes an exterior contact finger that is configured to securely abut into a first outer surface of the first component around at least a portion of a first opening formed through the first component, an interior contact finger that is configured to extend into the first opening, and a contact prong that is configured to abut into a second outer surface of the first component.
Claims20
A fastening clip that is configured to securely connect a first component to a second component, the fastening clip comprising:
- a first frame connected to an opposed second frame by an arcuate transition beam, wherein each of the first and second frames comprises:
- an exterior contact finger that is configured to securely abut into a first outer surface of the first component around at least a portion of a first opening formed through the first component;
- an interior contact finger that is configured to extend into the first opening;
- and
- a contact prong that is configured to abut into a second outer surface of the first component.
An assembly comprising:
- a first component defining a first opening;
- a second component defining a second opening;
- a fastening clip that securely couples to the first component to form a sub-assembly that securely couples to the second component to form the assembly, the fastening clip comprising a first frame connected to an opposed second frame by an arcuate transition beam, wherein the first and second frames secure to the second component within the second opening, wherein each of the first and second frames comprises:
- an exterior contact finger that securely abuts into a first outer surface of the first component around at least a portion of the first opening formed through the first component, wherein the exterior contact finger extends away from a central longitudinal plane of the fastening clip;
- an interior contact finger split away from the exterior contact finger, wherein the interior contact finger extends into the first opening, wherein the interior contact finger extends towards the central longitudinal plane;
- a contact prong extending from the actuate transition beam, wherein the contact prong comprises an outwardly-flared end tab, wherein the contact prong abuts into a second outer surface of the first component, wherein the contact prong of the first frame mirrors the contact prong of the second frame;
- lateral legs that outwardly and upwardly flare from the transition beam, wherein each of the exterior contact finger, the interior contact finger, and the contact prong are between the lateral legs, wherein each of the lateral legs outwardly flares from the arcuate transition beam;
- and
- an arcuate bend connected to a coupling tab that compressively contacts the first component, wherein the arcuate bend inwardly directs the coupling tab towards the central longitudinal plane of the fastening clip, wherein the coupling tabs of the first and second frames define a V-shaped passage that is configured to receive the first component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.