# US 5,347,691 A · Clip assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,347,691 A - Document ID: US5347691A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/001,159 - Filed: 1993-01-07 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1992-01-10 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho - Inventors: Masahiko Terazoe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347691A ## CPC - F16B 5/065: {the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance} - B60R 13/0206: {Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings (devices for fastening or securing F16B)} - F16B 5/0657: {at least one of the plates providing a raised structure, e.g. of the doghouse type, for connection with the clamps or clips of the other plate} - F16B 5/0664: {at least one of the sheets or plates having integrally formed or integrally connected snap-in-features} - Y10T 24/30: Trim molding fastener - Y10T 24/304: Resilient metal type - Y10T 24/307: Sheet metal formed - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A clip assembly is used to connect a base member, such as a vehicle bumper, to a fitting member, such as an ornamental plate. The base member includes a plurality of projections, and the fitting member includes a plurality of corresponding through holes. The projections of the base member are inserted through the through holes of the fitting member. The fitting member is secured to the base member by means of the projections which are clamped by a plurality of clips. A plurality of holding members retain the clips in position during installation, and are disposed around the through holes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clip assembly for connecting a base member and a fitting member, the assembly comprising: said base member including at least one projection; said fitting member including at least one through hole for receiving said projection; at least one clip for clamping to said projection, and for securing said fitting member to said base member; and a holding member formed on said fitting member, said holding member including a pair of holding pieces formed along opposite sides of said through hole, for retaining said clip therebetween, as said projection is clamped by said clip. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base member includes an opening, and said at least one projection is formed along the periphery of said opening; and wherein said fitting member covers at least part of said opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said clip further includes: a pair of oppositely disposed side walls; a base portion which connects said side walls; and a clamping plate formed in at least one side wall, for clamping said projection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The assembly according to claim 3, wherein one of said clamping plates is formed in each of said side walls. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The assembly according to claim 4, wherein each of said side walls extends into an edge and terminates at a contact wall; and wherein each said edge engages said fitting member, when said clip is secured to said holding member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said contact wall further includes a slanted edge for helping to guide said clip inside said holding member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The assembly according to claim 5, wherein each said contact wall includes a notch which engages a respective one of said holding pieces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said side wall includes an opening, and said holding piece engages said side wall opening when it is connected to said clip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base member is a vehicle bumper; and wherein said fitting member is an ornamental plate. ### Claim 10 A clip assembly for connecting a base member and a fitting member, the assembly comprising: said base member including at least one projection; said fitting member including at least one through hole for receiving said projection; a clip for clamping to said projection, and for securing said fitting member to said base member; said clip including: a pair of oppositely disposed side walls; a base portion which connects said side walls; and a pair of clamping plates which are formed respectively in each of said side walls, for clamping said projection; and a holding member disposed around the periphery of said through hole, for retaining said clip, as said projection is clamped by said clip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The assembly according to claim 10, wherein each of said side walls extends into an edge and terminates at a contact wall; and wherein said edge engages said fitting member, when said clip is secured to said holding member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said contact wall includes a notch which engages said holding piece. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said contact wall further includes a slanted edge for helping to guide said clip inside said holding member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said side wall includes an opening, and said holding piece engages said side wall opening when it is connected to said clip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said clip and said holding member each have opposite ends, said opposite ends of said clip engaging said opposite ends of said holding member when said projection is clamped in said clip, one of said opposite ends of said holding member being tapered to form a ramp for guiding said clip into said holding member. ### Claim 16 A clip assembly for connecting a base member and a fitting member, the assembly comprising: said base member including at least one projection; said fitting member including at least one through hole for receiving said projection; a clip for clamping to said projection, and for securing said fitting member to said base member; a C-shaped positioning wall disposed around the periphery of said through hole; and a holding member on said positioning wall, said holding member including a pair of holding pieces disposed along opposite sides of said through hole, for retaining said clip therebetween, as said projection is clamped by said clip. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said C-shaped positioning wall includes an opening portion for receiving said clip within said holding member, and further comprises an inclined surface on said fitting member adjacent to said opening portion for guiding the insertion of said clip and retaining said clip after insertion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The assembly according to claim 17, wherein said clip further includes: a pair of oppositely disposed side walls; a base portion which connects said side walls; and a clamping plate formed in each of said side walls, for clamping said base projection. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The assembly according to claim 17, wherein said base member is a vehicle bumper; and wherein said fitting member is an ornamental plate.