FR3088974A1 - CLIPS PATCH WITH IMPROVED ELASTICITY - Google Patents

Abstract

On its rear face (11) the clip tab (7) has a deformable rib (12) for support secured to or formed in one piece with a plastic part or support (4). The proximal part (14) of the deformable rib is curved in a semicircle, while its distal part (15) is substantially rectilinear and extends along an axis forming an angle +/- α relative to the rear face (11 ) of the clip tab (7), α being between 10 ° and 80 °, preferably between 15 ° and 50 °, and more preferably between 20 ° and 30 °. The clip tab (7) and its deformable rib (12) for support are preferably formed in a single piece of polypropylene or a polyolefin copolymer with the part or support (4) which they equip. Preferably, the proximal part (14) is not integral with the plastic part or support (4). Figure for the abstract: Fig 2

Description

Description

Title of the invention: CLIPPING CLIP WITH IMPROVED ELASTICITY

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of fasteners for plastic parts.

The invention relates more particularly to the field of plastic parts with integrated fastening elements comprising a clipping tab.

PRIOR ART In particular in the automotive field, many plastic parts are fixed to the bodywork or to a support by means of fixing elements which are generally molded in one piece with said plastic parts. These plastic parts and their integrated fasteners must meet several apparently contradictory requirements because they must have low mounting forces to be able to be easily mounted, and they must have a high resistance to tearing because the parts must hold on the body. The plastic parts must also be removable and easily removable for possibly repetitive repair operations in the dealer network or for positioning adjustments on assembly lines.

These plastic parts are generally made of polypropylene or a polyolefin copolymer. These plastics have the advantage of being particularly rigid and recyclable, but they are not very flexible, which is problematic for the fastening elements which are molded in this material. In the case where these fastening elements include a clip tab, it is possible to provide them with a certain flexibility by adapting their geometry. It is thus possible to optimize the angle of engagement of the clipping lugs, but after several disassembly and reassembly, the plastic material of the clipping lugs becomes tired and ends up losing all flexibility by finishing.

In the case of a clipping tab, it is possible to increase its flexibility by reducing the thickness of the foot of said clipping tab, but this reduces its resistance to tearing and is not satisfactory. By increasing the thickness of the foot of the clipping tab, conversely, it improves its resistance to tearing, but it loses elasticity and increases the mounting effort, which is not satisfactory either .

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a new clipping tab with improved elasticity, having low mounting forces and a high resistance to wear. 'tearing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a plastic part or support comprising one or more clip tabs according to the invention. It will be noted that the new clipping tab with improved elasticity may for example be provided on a plastic part intended to be fixed on a support, more particularly on the body of a road vehicle in particular of the automobile type. This plastic part can also serve as a support for mounting another part to be fixed, for example on the bodywork. Thus, the clipping tab with improved elasticity according to the invention may be provided to equip a plastic part or support intended either to be fixed to a support, more particularly to the body of a road vehicle, in particular of the automobile type, either to serve as a support for fixing another piece to be fixed. Indeed, in the automotive field, there are many constraints that are both technical and aesthetic for the plastic parts (4) to be attached to the body, these constraints are often intrinsically linked.

A clipping tab according to the invention can thus be used for fixing a plastic part on a support or for fixing another part to be fixed on the plastic part. Clipping lugs according to the invention can also be provided on two sides of the same plastic part so that some of them are used for fixing said plastic part on a support, while other lugs clips are used to fix another part to be fixed on said plastic part.

By way of example, mention may be made of the standard mounting of a shield on a motor vehicle, this mounting usually comprising three parts, namely: the sheet metal body of the vehicle, a plastic shield support carrying the clipping tabs with improved elasticity according to the invention and the shield skin. The plastic butcher support is preferably fixed by screws and pins on the body, then the shield skin is fixed by clipping onto the shield support by means of the clipping lugs, the shield skin comprising female receptor shapes for the shield support clip clips. Indeed, it is usually necessary that the shield support can be removable. Usually, the shield skin is also fixed to the shield support by screws, but once the screws are removed, the skin must be able to unclip and reclip several times. Thus, the butcher's skin is clipped onto a plastic part serving as a support, and not directly on the body. Generally, a left lateral support is provided, a right lateral support and central shield support to be fixed on the bodywork and holding the shield respectively in the left, right and central part, and the butcher's skin can also be held by several screws that the repairer at the tomobile must remove before dismantling a shield but this is not the subject of the request.

Although the clipping tabs according to the invention are preferably provided to equip a shield support, it is obvious that they can be provided for any type of plastic part for fixing said part with another element comprising female receiving shapes for the clipping tabs.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved with the aid of a plastic clipping tab provided projecting from a plastic part or support and intended either to ensure the fixing of said part or support. plastic material on a support, more particularly on the bodywork of a road vehicle in particular of the automobile type, or to ensure the fixing of another part to be fixed on said plastic part or support, said clip tab comprising a lug of clipping in the upper part of its front face, said clipping lug being intended to be engaged in an elastic manner in an orifice provided in the support or the part to be fixed, characterized in that on its rear face opposite its front face, the tab of clipping comprises a deformable support rib secured to or formed in one piece with the plastic part or support, said deformable support rib projecting from the plastic part or support ratio substantially in the same direction in which the clipping lug protrudes relative to the plastic part or support.

The deformable support rib, in the manner of a reinforcing rib, reinforces the tear resistance for the clipping tab, the foot of which can thus have a smaller thickness, allowing the clipping tab to tilt effortlessly back and forth for easy mounting of the plastic part. By its deformable nature, the deformable support rib does not hinder the tilting from front to back of the clipping tab, thereby giving it satisfactory elasticity.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the deformable support rib comprises a proximal part bearing on the rear face of the clipping tab or formed in one piece with said rear face, and a part distal, opposite to said proximal part, at least one of these two parts being secured on or formed in one piece with the plastic part or support.

Conformed into two parts, the deformable support rib may thus include a proximal part intended to provide satisfactory elasticity to the clipping tab, in particular by its elastically deformable character generating an elastic pushing force tending to repel the lug clipping of the clipping tab forwards when it has been tilted backwards during the mounting of the plastic part or support on the vehicle body. The deformable support rib may also include a distal part which is less easily deformable and less elastic than the proximal part, but which acts as a reinforcement part for the clipping tab in order to reinforce its resistance to tearing.

According to another example of implementation of the invention, the clipping tab according to claim 2, characterized in that the proximal part of the deformable support rib is molded in one piece with the rear face of the clip tab.

According to a further example of implementation of the invention, the base of the proximal part of the deformable support rib is not secured to the plastic part or support, said deformable support rib being secured on or formed in one piece with the plastic part or support by its distal part. In fact, the proximal part is even more flexible if its base is at least partially detached from the plastic part or support carrying the clipping tab.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the distal part of the deformable support rib is molded in one piece with the plastic part or support.

According to another example of implementation of the invention, the proximal part of the deformable support rib is curved, preferably in a semicircle. This shape indeed offers excellent elasticity to the deformable support rib.

According to a further example of implementation of the invention, the distal part of the deformable support rib is substantially rectilinear. This shape offers excellent resistance to tearing from the deformable support rib.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the distal part of the deformable support rib extends along an axis forming an angle +/- a with respect to the rear face of the clipping tab when considered from above, the angle a being between 10 ° and 80 °, preferably between 15 ° and 50 °, and more preferably between 20 ° and 30 °. Thus extending at an angle, the deformable support rib is less rigid and more flexible than a perpendicular rib - that is to say at 90 ° as is the case with the reinforcement ribs. The tilt range shown provides a good compromise between flexibility and tear resistance for the deformable support rib. In fact, while a 90 ° rib offers very little flexibility, a rib substantially parallel to the rear face of the clipping tab, that is to say inclined at an angle close to 0 ° - offers insufficient resistance. tearing.

According to another example of implementation of the invention, the length of the proximal part and that of the distal part of the deformable support rib each represent between 30% and 70%, preferably between 40% and 60% , and more preferably substantially 50% of the total linear length of the deformable support rib. Indeed, a too short proximal part would provide insufficient elasticity, while a too short distal part would provide insufficient resistance to tearing.

According to a further example of implementation of the invention, the height of the deformable support rib gradually decreases from the rear face of the clipping tab to the free end of the distal part so as to form A ramp. This shape makes it possible to retain an overall elasticity and flexibility sufficient for the deformable support rib, without reducing its resistance to tearing, since this does not reduce the length of the part of said rib which is secured to or formed of a single piece with the plastic piece.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the height of the distal part of the deformable support rib gradually decreases from the proximal part to the free end of the distal part so as to form a ramp . When the proximal part of the deformable support rib is not fixed to the plastic part or support, preferably only the distal part is shaped as a ramp.

According to another example of implementation of the invention, the deformable support rib extends upward over at least 50%, preferably at least 70% and more preferably at least 90% of the height of the tab. of clipping. Indeed, the higher the deformable support rib, the more it provides resistance to tearing from the fixing lug, but it must also not be too high, under penalty of penalizing the elasticity and flexibility of said tab and interfere with its operation as a fixing part to be engaged in an orifice provided in the support.

According to a further example of implementation of the invention, the thickness of the distal part of the deformable support rib gradually increases from the proximal part to the free end of the distal part. Thus, by varying the thickness of the deformable rib, it promotes the flexibility and elasticity of the latter in its proximal part, and rather favors its resistance to tearing in its distal part.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the deformable support rib has an average thickness between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm and more preferably substantially equal to 1 mm. This thickness is indeed preferred for a polypropylene or polyolefinic copolymer clip because it offers a good compromise between flexibility and tear resistance for the deformable support rib. Obviously, the thicker the deformable support rib, the more its resistance to tearing increases and its flexibility decreases, and vice versa. This thickness can however be easily adapted to the plastic material used for the part intended to be fixed on a support and to the stresses intended to be undergone by the clipping tab.

According to another example of implementation of the invention, the clip tab and its deformable support rib are formed in one piece with the plastic part or support. Indeed, it is easy and inexpensive to manufacture the plastic part or support with the clipping tab and its deformable rib formed thereon, for example by molding a single part of the assembly. Separate manufacture of the clip tab and / or its deformable rib, in order to then attach them to the plastic part or support, for example by gluing, screwing, welding, interlocking or any other fixing means is also possible, but much less advantageous, in particular in the case where the clip tab and its deformable rib do not deteriorate in use.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a plastic part or support intended either to be fixed on a support, more particularly on the body of a road vehicle, in particular of the automobile type, either to serve as a support for fixing another piece to be fixed, characterized in that it comprises one or more clip tab (s) according to any one of the preceding claims.

According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the plastic part or support has a recess located under the part of the proximal part of the deformable support rib. This recess allows the proximal part of the deformable support rib not to be secured by its base on the plastic part or support, while preferably being formed in one piece with it, as extended by the part distal which is itself preferably formed in one piece with the plastic part or support.

According to another example of implementation of the invention, the plastic part or support is made of polypropylene or of a polyolefin copolymer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, in which:

[Fig.l] [0034] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a plastic part or support comprising two conventional clip tabs according to the prior art;

[Fig.2] Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but in which the plastic part or support comprises two clipping tabs according to the invention, each with a deformable rib Support ;

[Fig.3] [Figure 3] is a top view of a clip tab according to the invention, equipped with a deformable support rib; and [Fig. 4] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] [0041] Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of the part encircled in Figure 3, illustrating a variant in which the part or support material plastic has a recess located under the proximal part of the deformable support rib.

Detailed description The structurally and functionally identical elements present in several separate figures are assigned the same numeric or alphanumeric reference.

As can be seen in Figure 1, in its upper part a clipping tab (1) conventional according to the prior art comprises a portion projecting forward forming a clipping lug (2) intended to be engaged resiliently in an orifice. In its lower part, this clipping tab (1) comprises a thinned part forming a foot (3) for its attachment to a plastic part or support (4) intended either to be fixed on a support (not shown) comprising at at least one receiving orifice for said clipping tab (1), or to receive a part to be fixed (not shown) comprising at least one receiving orifice for said clipping tab (1).

By front part or front face (5) of a clip tab (1) means the part or the engaging face of the part or support of plastic material (4) which is directed either towards the support on which said plastic part or support (4) is intended to be fixed, either towards the part to be fixed on said plastic part or support (4). Thus, the front part or front face (5) of a clip tab (1) also designates the part or the engaging face of the plastic part or support (4) which is intended to come into contact against said support or said part to be fixed.

Conversely, by rear part or rear face (6) of a clip tab (1) means the part or the face (6) which is opposite to the front part or the front face (5).

As mentioned above, a conventional clip tab (1) according to the prior art lacks flexibility and rigidity, and a part that is too thinned at the level of its foot (3) results in poor resistance to tearing for the clip tab (1). Thus, during multiple assemblies and reassemblies of the plastic part or support (4) which is equipped with it, this type of classic clipping tab (1) generally ends up at the level of its foot (3).

The clipping tab (7) according to the invention also comprises a clipping lug (8) provided in the upper part of its front face (9), also designated as the engagement face (9) because said lug clip (8) is intended to be engaged in an orifice provided in the support or the part to be fixed. The clip tab (7) also has a thinned lower part forming a foot (10).

It is characterized in that, on its rear face (11), it further comprises a deformable rib (12) of support integral with or formed in one piece with the piece or support of plastic material (4) .

This deformable rib (12) extends projecting from the plastic part or support (4) substantially in the same direction in which the clipping tab (7) extends projecting from the part or plastic support (4). Thus, when the clip tab (7) projects in a manner substantially orthogonal to the plastic part or support (4), said deformable support rib which is associated with it extends substantially orthogonal to the area of the plastic part or support (4) on which it is secured or shaped. For example, if we consider that the surface of the plastic part or support (4) on which the clip tab (7) is provided is horizontal (as shown in the figures), the clip clip (7) is vertical and its deformable rib (12) for support also rises substantially vertically upwards. Thus, the lateral flanks (13a, 13b) of the deformable rib (12) preferably preferably form substantially a right angle with the part of the plastic part or support (4) on which the clipping tab (7) is provided.

The front part (14) of the deformable rib (12) for support, also designated as the proximal part (14) because bearing on the rear face (11) of the clipping tab (7) or shaped d 'one piece with it is preferably curved, for example forming a semicircle when viewed from above, providing elasticity and flexibility to the deformable rib (12) for support.

The rear part (15) of the deformable rib (12) for support, also designated as the distal part (15) because opposite to said proximal part (14), is preferably substantially rectilinear, improving resistance to tearing of the deformable rib (12) for support.

The proximal part (14) and / or the distal part (15) of the clipping tab (7) are secured to or formed in one piece with the plastic part or support (4).

Preferably, at the proximal part (14) the base of the deformable rib (12) for support is not secured to the piece or support of plastic material (4). In this case, the plastic part or support (4) has a recess (19) located under the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) for support. This recess (19) can have various forms. As shown in Figure 4, the recess (19) of the plastic part or support (4) can be provided substantially only under the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) and substantially match its contours . As shown in Figure 5, the recess (19) may be larger than the surface occupied by the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12), which in particular ensures that the proximal part (14) does not come into contact with the plastic part or support (4), whatever the deformations it undergoes.

In the case where the base of the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) of support is not secured to the piece or support of plastic material (4), said deformable rib (12) is secured to or formed in one piece with the plastic part or support (4) by its distal part (15) and / or with the rear face (11) of the clipping tab (7).

The proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) for support is preferably molded in one piece with the rear face (11) of the clip tab (7). Even in the preferred case where the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) is curved and forms an arc when viewed from above, the deformable support rib (12) is locally connected to the rear face (11) of the clip tab (7) by a fixing part (20) which preferably extends perpendicular to the rear face (11) of the clip tab (7).

The distal part (15) of the deformable rib (12) for support is preferably molded in one piece with the plastic part or support (4).

The deformable rib (12) for support, in particular in its distal part (15), extends along a general axis forming an angle +/- a with respect to the rear face (11) of the clip tab (7 ) when viewed from above, the angle a being between 10 ° and 80 °, preferably between 15 ° and 50 °, and more preferably between 20 ° and 30 °.

The length of the proximal part (14) and that of the distal part (15) of the deformable rib (12) for support each represent between 30% and 70%, preferably between 40% and 60%, and more preferably substantially 50% of the total linear length of the deformable support rib (12).

According to a variant of the invention, the height of the deformable rib (12) for support decreases progressively from the rear face (11) of the clipping tab (7) to the free end of the distal part (15) so as to form a ramp.

According to another variant, the height of the proximal part (14) can remain substantially constant, while it is only the height of the distal part (15) which decreases in ramp.

The deformable rib (12) for support extends upward over at least 50%, preferably at least 70% and more preferably at least 90% of the height of the clipping tab (7).

The deformable rib (12) for support has an average thickness between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm and more preferably substantially equal to 1 mm. As mentioned above, this thickness can be easily modified to adjust the elasticity and the tear resistance of the deformable support rib (12).

The thickness of the distal part (15) of the deformable rib (12) for support preferably increases progressively from the proximal part (14) to the free end of the distal part (15). It is thus thicker at the end of the distal part (15) which requires having the most resistance to tearing and for which the elasticity and flexibility have less priority.

It is thus possible to adjust the overall flexibility of the clipping tab (7) according to the invention for example by modifying the thickness of the deformable rib (12), by modifying the dimensions of the proximal part (14 ) and / or the distal part (15) and / or by modifying the angle of inclination +/- a of the deformable rib (12).

According to a preferred variant of the invention, the thickness of the distal part (15) of the deformable rib (12) for support increases progressively from the proximal part (14) to the free end of the part distal (15). Thus, the deformable support rib (12) is thicker in its most distant part, for which the resistance to tearing is thus favored locally at the expense of flexibility in an area where the resistance to tearing is greater. that flexibility.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clip tab (7) and its deformable rib (12) for support are formed in one piece with the plastic part or support (4), preferably by molding.

The plastic part or support (4), as well as the clip tab (7) and its deformable rib (12) for support are preferably made of polypropylene or of a polyolefin copolymer.

The plastic part or support (4) may also include guide and centering fingers (16) which are each intended to be introduced into an orifice provided in the bodywork of the motor vehicle on which said part or support plastic material (4) must be fitted.

In the figures given by way of example, it will be noted that each clipping tab (1, 7) is provided at a window (17) shaped in an engagement part (18) with a U-shaped section. of the plastic part or support (4), this engagement part (18) being designed to be received on a support or to receive another projecting part to be fixed.

It is obvious that the present description is not limited to the examples explicitly described, but also includes other embodiments and / or implementation. Thus, a technical characteristic described can be replaced by an equivalent technical characteristic without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and a described step of implementing the method can be replaced by an equivalent step without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Plastic clip (7) provided projecting from a plastic part or support (4) and intended either to secure said plastic part or support (4) on a support, more particularly on the bodywork of a road vehicle in particular of the automobile type, or to ensure the fixing of another part to be fixed on said plastic part or support (4), said clipping tab (7) comprising a clipping lug (8) in the upper part of its front face (9), said clipping lug (8) being intended to be engaged in an elastic manner in an orifice provided in the support or the part to be fixed, characterized in that on its rear face (11) opposite its front face (9), the clip tab (7) comprises a deformable rib (12) for support secured to or formed in one piece with the plastic part or support (4), said deformable rib ( 12) support extending protruding from the pi species or plastic support (4) substantially in the same direction in which the clip tab (7) extends projecting from the plastic part or support (4). [Claim 2] Clipping lug (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformable rib (12) for support comprises a proximal part (14) bearing on the rear face (11) of the clipping lug (7) or shaped d '' a single piece with said rear face (11), and a distal part (15), opposite to said proximal part (14), at least one of these two parts being integral with or formed in one piece with the part or plastic support (4). [Claim 3] Clip tab (7) according to claim 2, characterized in that the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) for support is molded in one piece with the rear face (11) of the clip tab ( 7). [Claim 4] Clip tab (7) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the base of the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) for support is not secured to the piece or support of plastic material ( 4), said deformable rib (12) for support being integral with or formed in one piece with the plastic part or support (4) by its distal part (15). [Claim 5] Clip tab (7) according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the distal part (15) of the deformable rib (12) support is molded in one piece with the plastic part or support (4). [Claim 6] Clip tab (7) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib (12) for support is curved, preferably in a semicircle. [Claim 7] Clipping tab (7) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the distal part (15) of the deformable rib (12) for support is substantially rectilinear. [Claim 8] Clip tab (7) according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the distal part (15) of the deformable support rib (12) extends along an axis forming an angle +/- a with respect to to the rear face (11) of the clipping tab (7) when viewed from above, the angle a being between 10 ° and 80 °, preferably between 15 ° and 50 °, and more preferably between 20 ° and 30 ° . [Claim 9] Clip tab (7) according to any one of Claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the length of the proximal part (14) and that of the distal part (15) of the deformable support rib (12) each represent between 30% and 70%, preferably between 40% and 60%, and more preferably substantially 50% of the total linear length of the deformable rib (12) for support. [Claim 10] Clip tab (7) according to any one of Claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the height of the deformable rib (12) for support decreases progressively from the rear face (11) of the clip tab (7) up to 'at the free end of the distal part (15) so as to form a ramp. [Claim 11] Clip tab (7) according to any one of Claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the height of the distal part (15) of the deformable support rib (12) decreases progressively from the proximal part (14) to at the free end of the distal part (15) so as to form a ramp. [Claim 12] Clip tab (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable support rib (12) extends upwards over at least 50%, preferably at least 70% and more preferably at least 90% the height of the clip tab (7). [Claim 13] Clip tab (7) according to any one of Claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the thickness of the distal part (15) of the deformable support rib (12) increases progressively from the part proximal (14) to the free end of the distal portion (15). [Claim 14] Clip tab (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable support rib (12) has an average thickness of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1 , 5 mm and more preferably substantially equal to 1 mm. [Claim 15] Clip tab (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said clip tab (7) and its deformable support rib (12) are formed in one piece with the plastic part or support. (4). [Claim 16] Plastic part or support (4) intended either to be fixed to a support, more particularly to the body of a road vehicle, in particular of the automobile type, or to serve as a support for fixing another piece to be fixed, characterized in that it comprises one or more clip tab (s) (7) according to any one of the preceding claims. [Claim 17] Plastic part or support (4) according to claim 16 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a recess located under the part of the proximal part (14) of the deformable rib ( 12) support. [Claim 18] Plastic part or support (4) according to claim 11, characterized in that it is made of polypropylene or of a polyolefin copolymer. 1/4