CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application S/N 62/450,626 entitled "RETENTION CLIP WITH ANTI-ROTATE FEATURE," filed on January 1 , 2017, the entire disclosure of which being expressly incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to retention clips and more particularly to a retention clip having a plurality of tabs protruding from a lower plate of the retention clip to engage a mounting surface and inhibit rotational movement of the retention clip.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Retention clips, also referred to as "P-clips" because their shape resembles the letter "P," are commonly used in many applications to secure an object in a mounting location. For example, retention clips are commonly used to secure wiring harnesses in a desired location on an engine or other mounting surface. Conventionally, if retention clip rotation is to be inhibited, retention clips are mounted to objects by placing a fastener through an opening in the retention clip and an opening in a separate anti-rotation washer, then threading the fastener into a mounting bore formed in the object. This requires the installer to handle the retention clip, the washer and the fastener while aligning the fastener with the bore and orienting the retention clip in a desired position. Also during installation, an upper plate and lower plate of the retention clip may move laterally relative to one another, making it difficult to thread the fastener through the retention clip opening and the washer. Thus, convention retention clip designs require multiple parts and can be relatively difficult to install, thereby extending service times and cost. As such, a need exists for a retention clip with fewer parts and lower cost that provides simplified, safe installation and an anti-rotation feature. SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a retention clip, comprising: an upper plate having an upper fastener opening; an intermediate segment depending from the upper plate and having a loop portion for receiving an object to be retained; and a lower plate depending from the intermediate segment and having at least one protrusion extending therefrom and a lower fastener opening; wherein the upper plate is substantially parallel to the lower plate and aligned such that the upper fastener opening registers with the lower fastener opening; and wherein the at least one protrusion projects from the lower plate away from the upper plate to engage a surface of an object to which the retention clip is mounted and inhibits rotation of the retention clip. In one aspect of this embodiment, the upper plate further comprises an alignment protrusion extending therefrom into a gap adjacent the at least one protrusion of the lower plate to inhibit movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate. In another aspect, the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions including a connected end which is connected to the lower plate and a protruding end which is spaced away from the lower plate. In a variation of this aspect, the connected end of each of the plurality of protrusions is disposed adjacent a protruding end of an adjacent protrusion. In another variation, the connected end of each of the plurality of protrusions is disposed adjacent a connected end of an adjacent protrusion. In another aspect of this embodiment, the intermediate segment further comprises a protective layer disposed on the loop portion to inhibit damage to the object to be retained. In a variation of this aspect, the protective layer is formed of rubber or plastic dried onto the loop portion. In another variation the protective layer is a sleeve. In yet another aspect, the upper fastener opening is formed adjacent a curved distal end of the upper plate and the lower fastener opening is formed adjacent a curved distal end of the lower plate. In another aspect, the intermediate segment includes an extension portion depending from the loop portion, a first transition portion depending from the extension portion, and a second transition portion depending from the extension portion. In still another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions, at least one of the plurality of protrusions being disposed along a distal end of the lower plate, adjacent the lower fastener opening. In another aspect, the at least one protrusion is one of a tab, a dimple or a ridge.

[0005] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of forming a retention clip is provided, comprising: forming an upper fastener opening through one end of an elongated plate; forming a lower fastener opening through another end of the elongated plate; forming a plurality of protrusions adjacent the lower fastener opening; each protrusion having a connected end which is connected to the elongated plate and a protruding end which is spaced away from the elongated plate; bending the one end of the elongated plate to form an upper plate including the upper fastener opening; bending the other end of the elongated plate to form a lower plate including the lower fastener opening; bending the upper plate onto the lower plate such that the upper fastener opening registers with the lower fastener opening, the plurality of protrusions project away from the upper plate, and a loop portion is formed for receiving an object to be retained. One aspect of this embodiment further comprises forming an alignment protrusion in the one end of the elongated plate, wherein bending the upper plate onto the lower plate comprises extending the alignment protrusion into a gap adjacent one of the plurality of protrusions to inhibit movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate. In another aspect, forming a plurality of protrusions comprises forming the connected end of each protrusion adjacent a protruding end of an adjacent protrusion. Another aspect further comprises installing a protective layer on the loop portion to inhibit damage to the object to be retained. In a variant of this aspect, installing a protective layer comprises one of dipping the loop portion into a material and allowing the material to dry or placing a sleeve on the loop portion.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an assembly for attaching an object to a mounting surface, comprising: a retention clip, comprising: an upper plate having an upper fastener opening; an intermediate segment depending from the upper plate and having a loop portion for receiving the object; and a lower plate depending from the intermediate segment and having at least one protrusion extending therefrom and a lower fastener opening; wherein the upper plate is substantially parallel to the lower plate and aligned such that the upper fastener opening registers with the lower fastener opening; and wherein the at least one protrusion projects from the lower plate away from the upper plate to engage the mounting surface and inhibit rotation of the retention clip; and a fastener configured to extend through the upper fastener opening and the lower fastener opening into a bore formed in the mounting surface. In one aspect of this embodiment, the upper plate further comprises an alignment protrusion extending therefrom into a gap adjacent the at least one protrusion of the lower plate to inhibit movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate. In another aspect, the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions including a connected end which is connected to the lower plate and a protruding end which is spaced away from the lower plate.

[0007] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retention clip according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in an intermediate stage of manufacturing;

[0010] FIGs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the retention clip of FIG. 1 in its final form;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the retention clip of FIG. 1 in its final form;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the retention clip of FIG. 1 being mounted to an object;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a die for forming the retention clip of FIG. 1 ; [0014] FIG. 7 A is a side elevational view of a retention clip according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 7B is a bottom plan view of the retention clip of FIG. 7A; and

[0016] FIGs 8 and 9 are perspective views of a retention clip according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a retention clip 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in an intermediate stage of manufacturing. Clip 10 may be formed from a flat sheet of metal or other suitable material using a punch-press or stamping process as is discussed further below. After initial formation, as shown in FIG. 1 , clip 10 generally includes an upper plate 12, an intermediate segment 14 and a lower plate 16. In the state depicted in FIG. 1 , upper plate 12, intermediate segment 14 and lower plate 16 are substantially co-planar. Upper plate 12 includes a body 18 having a curved distal end 20 and defining a fastener opening 22. Upper plate 12 further includes an alignment tab 24 that may be punched out of body 18, but remain connected to body 18 at one end, as is further described below. It should be

understood, however, that alignment tab 24 may be omitted in certain embodiments. While alignment tab is depicted and described as a "tab," it should be understood that other structural features may be used to cooperate with structure on lower plate 16 to inhibit relative movement of the plates. For example, alignment tab 24 may be a dimple or ridge and lower plate 16 may include a corresponding detent or groove to receive the dimple or ridge, or vise-versa. Any other suitable structure may be used. Intermediate segment 14 includes a first transition portion 26, an extension portion 28, a loop portion 30 and a second transition portion 32. The various portions of intermediate segment 14 are indicated in FIG. 1 by lines showing where bends start and end. [0019] Lower plate 16 includes a body 34 having a curved distal end 36 and defining a fastener opening 38. Lower plate 16 further includes a plurality of anti- rotation tabs 40A-F that may be punched out of body 34, but remain connected to body 34 at one end, as is further described below. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , six tabs 40A-F are shown, but it should be understood that more or fewer tabs, even a single tab, may be used in alternative embodiments. As is further described below, tab 40A is positioned in body 34 such that it aligns with alignment tab 24 when clip 10 is in its final form (FIGs. 2-4). In the embodiment shown, tab 40A has a larger width than tabs 40B- F. Tabs 40B and 40F are formed in body 34 and spaced apart from distal end 36. Tabs 40C-E are formed along distal end 36, as is further described herein.

[0020] All of tabs 40A-F protrude outwardly from body 34 in a uniform direction such that a connected end 42 (see FIG. 2) of one tab is adjacent a protruding end 44 (see FIG. 2) of one adjacent tab and the protruding end 44 of the one tab is adjacent a connected end 42 of another adjacent tab. In other words, as viewed in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2, a connected end 42 of each tab 40A-F is disposed before a protruding end 44 of each tab 40A-F or, depending in part of the tightening rotation of a fastener (not shown) extending through openings 22, 38, a connected end 42 of each tab 40A-F is disposed after a protruding end 44 of each tab 40A-F. It should be understood however, that in alternative embodiments, tabs 40A-F may protrude from body 34 in alternate directions or in some other configuration. As best shown in FIG. 2, the formation of each tab 40A-F creates a gap 46 adjacent the tab 40A-F.

[0021] It should further be understood that in alternative embodiments, other structures for anti-rotation may be used instead of tabs. While structures are referred to as "tabs" or "protrusions" herein, any suitable structure that engages the surface to which clip 10 is mounted to inhibit rotational movement may be used, for example, dimples, ridges, punched holes, etc.

[0022] Referring now to FIGs. 2-4, clip 10 is shown in its final form. Clip 10 may be bent in a variety of different ways to form the configuration of FIGs. 2-4. In one embodiment, a strip of material is fed into a multiple station progressive

stamping/forming die-set where openings 22, 38 and tabs 24, 40A-F are punched while clip 10 is in the flat state and then bends 26 and 32 are formed through later stages. Finally, intermediate section 14 is bent around a metal tool of appropriate diameter to form loop portion 30. A substantially right angle bend is formed at first transition portion 26 between upper plate 12 and extension portion 28. Loop portion 30 is bent into a substantially cylindrical shape having a central opening 48. Loop portion 30 is depicted with a protective layer 50. Layer 50 may be formed by dipping clip 10 into a liquid material such as rubber, plastic, or some other suitable material, then allowing the material to dry on loop portion 30. Alternatively, layer 50 may be formed like a sleeve (i.e., an elastomeric strip), and slid onto loop portion 30 prior to the bending of clip 10. Other methods of providing protective layer 50 may be employed, for example, a slit sleeve may be attached to loop portion 30 after clip 10 has been formed. Regardless of the specific embodiment, protective layer 50 is configured to inhibit damage to the object (e.g., a wiring harness) being retained by clip 10.

[0023] A slight bend is formed at second transition portion 32 such that lower plate 16 is substantially parallel with and closely adjacent to (if not in contact with) upper plate 12. Fastener openings 22 and 38 of FIG. 1 are aligned, together forming fastener opening 52. As best shown in FIG. 4, when clip 10 is bent into its final form, alignment tab 24 of upper plate 12 aligns with and extends into the gap 46 created when tab 40A is formed. The cooperation between alignment tab 24 and gap 46 adjacent tab 40A maintains the relative positioning of upper plate 12 and lower plate 16 and inhibits lateral or twisting movement in the directions indicated by arrow 54 (FIGs. 2 and 3).

[0024] FIG. 5 depicts clip 10 mounted to an object 56 using a fastener 58. In this example, fastener 58 is a threaded bolt that is threaded into a corresponding bore formed in object 56, although other fasteners may be used. As should be apparent from the foregoing, as fastener 58 is further tightened into object 56, tabs 40A-40F are compressed between lower plate 16 and the upper surface 60 of object 56.

Consequently, tabs 40A-F engage and partially embed into upper surface 60, thereby inhibiting rotational movement (i.e., about the longitudinal axis 62 of fastener 58) of clip 10.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 6, a portion of a die 64 for forming clip 10 is shown. As shown, die 64 includes a body 66 having an upper surface 68. A plurality of wedge shaped protrusions 70A-F extend from upper surface 68 in an arrangement and size corresponding to tabs 40A-F. Body 66 further includes a central opening 72. As should be apparent from the foregoing, using a press and a corresponding negative die (not shown), die 64 may be used to form lower plate 16, including tabs 40A-F, fastener opening 38 and distal end 36.

[0026] Referring now to FIGs. 7A-B, an alternative embodiment of the retention clip is shown. Retention clip 100 shares common components with retention clip 10, and the common components use the same reference numbers increased by 100. As shown, clip 100 generally includes an upper plate 1 12, an intermediate segment 1 14 and a lower plate 1 16 bent or otherwise processed to form a clip that is generally the same shape as clip 10 of FIGs. 2-4. Clip 100, however, includes eight tabs 140A-H disposed along the perimeter of fastener opening 152 instead of six tabs disposed along the distal end 36 of clip 10. Clip 100 also includes an opening 153 that extends through upper plate 1 12 and lower plate 1 16. Opening 153 may be used by a supplier to connect retention clip 100 to a wire harness at a specific location by passing a wire tie through opening 153 and connecting the wire tie to the wire harness.

[0027] FIGs. 8 and 9 depict another embodiment of a retention clip according to the present disclosure. Retention clip 200 shares common components with retention clip 10, and the common components use the same reference numbers increased by 200. As shown, clip 200 generally includes an upper plate 212, an intermediate segment 214 and a lower plate 216 bent or otherwise processed to form a clip that is general the same shape as clip 10. Clip 200, however, includes two rows of punch-outs

215 instead of the tabs of the embodiments described above. Punch-outs 215 are formed by piercing lower plate 216 from the upper surface as shown in FIG. 8. Material from the piercing protrudes from the lower surface of lower plate 216 as shown in FIG. 9, thereby providing the anti-rotation feature for the clip 200.

[0028] Clip 200 also differs from the previously described clips in that the alignment feature is formed along the ends of upper plate 212 and lower plate 216. Specifically, upper plate 212 includes a tab 217 extending from its end 219. Lower plate

216 includes an upturned end 221 having a notch 223 formed therein. When upper plate 212 and lower plate 216 are bent together, tab 217 is situated within notch 223 and upturned ends 221 prevent side to side movement of tab 217, thereby maintaining upper plate 212 in alignment with lower plate 216.

[0029] In the detailed description herein, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

[0030] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 1 12(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus

[0031] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features.

Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.