BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention proposes improvements to the legs of fastening clips, such as those used to fasten panels and/or to fasten accessories to panels, especially clips for vehicle airbags, in which the base and shape of said legs have been modified to improve the functional properties thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Quick-fastening clips used to fasten panels and accessories to panels have various characteristic features in common. In the type of clip concerned by the improvements proposed by this invention, the panel is clamped elastically between flanges of the clip that press on the hidden or inside surface of the panel, and flexible legs that press on the outside face, opposite the inside face of said panel. The clip and the elements attached thereto, or the above-described clamp, are thereby fastened to the panel.

Although the improvements to which this invention relates are applicable to a wide variety of clips, they are especially useful for "airbag clips", i.e. clips used to fasten the components of the airbag system.

One such clip is the subject of Spanish patent application P0201009999, in which the clip flexion legs are bent, and crossed, representing an improvement over prior art clips as said flexion legs have greater flexibility and take up less space while being longer. This invention primarily aims to improve said type of flexion leg, increasing the performance thereof even further .

Other advantages of this invention shall become evident in the course of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention proposes improvements to the legs of fastening clips, such as those used to fasten accessories to panels and/or to fasten panels, especially clips for vehicle airbags, in which the crossed flexion legs of said clips are modified, one of them forming a ring that encircles the other leg.

Said legs start from the base of the clip which provides an extended surface in one of the two transverse directions of the clip.

This base may have structural reinforcement means in the form of a hollow or fold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate comprehension of the invention, this description is accompanied by several sheets of drawings, provided merely by way of non-limiting illustration of the invention. Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of clips according to the prior art, in particular those disclosed by Spanish patent application P0200900630, mentioned above.

Figures 3 and 4 show perspective views of a clip like that described in figure 1, but incorporating the improvements that characterize this invention.

Figure 5 is a front view of the embodiment of the clip of figures 3 and 4.

Figures 6 and 7 show a clip according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, adapted to different panel thicknesses . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of improvements to the legs of fastening clips, such as those used to fasten accessories to panels and/or to fasten panels, especially clips for vehicle airbags, in which one leg (4) of each set of two of said flexion legs (2), which are opposite one another and crossed, is shaped so as to encircle the other leg (3) .

As can be seen in the attached figures, said flexion legs (2) come in sets of two individual legs (3 and 4) which are crossed, roughly forming an "X", one (4) of said legs being divided into two branches (5 and 6) forming an approximately elliptical closed perimeter, through which the other leg (3) is inserted. Said leg (4) ends in a bent portion (13) shaped so as not to damage the abovementioned panel on which it presses. These legs (3 and 4) start from the base (7) of the clip, which extends further in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction. Said base (7) may include structural reinforcements to reinforce the surface thereof, such as hollows (8) or folds. The base (7) has a degree of elasticity and may, when reguired for certain purposes, have a slightly concave or inverted "V" shape, when the clip is viewed from a distance, helping increase the elasticity thereof by acting as a sort of spring. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the attached figures, said base (7) is flat.

The clip which incorporates the improvements of this invention, for example that shown in the figures, has other features that do not pertain to the subject matter of this invention but are necessary for the clip to function correctly. This is the case of the wings (9) of the clip (1), the ledges (10) for abutting against the top of the panel, and the mechanism for releasing the clip from the panel. In the clip shown in the attached figures, the release mechanism comprises a pair of holes (11) that are accessible from outside the panel and can be operated with a tool that acts on projecting parts (12) of said wings (9), causing them to contract and releasing the clip (1) from the panel.

As stated above, other structures different to those described in the above paragraph are possible, without altering the essence of the invention. The structural improvement resulting from the improvements proposed in this invention has various advantages. One advantage is that it prevents pieces from getting entangled, for example when they are being fitted or when several pieces are stored in the same container for packaging or transport purposes .

Another advantage of this structural arrangement is an increase in the inertial capacity, flexibility and strength of said flexion legs (2), mainly owing to the increase in material used to make them, which ultimately means that less force is needed to insert the clip (1) in the panel . Another such advantage is the greater range of thicknesses for which a clip according to this invention may be used. The attached figures 6 and 7 show two different cases of panel thicknesses and show how the clip of said practical embodiment advantageously adapts to these thicknesses.

Moreover, the existence of a base (7) which extends further in the longitudinal direction and has flexion legs (2) that are further from the center of the clip gives the legs, and the clip as a whole, greater elasticity .

Obviously, details in terms of finish and shape may be varied as long as this does not modify or adversely affect the essence of the invention.