JP3842401B2 - Wheel cover mounting clip - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clip used to attach a wheel cover to an automobile wheel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a structure for attaching the wheel cover to the wheel, a structure schematically shown in FIG. 1 is known. In this configuration, the wheel cover 1 is fixed to the rim flange portion 3 of the wheel via the clip 2. First, a plurality of clips 2 are fixed along the peripheral edge of the rim flange portion 3 of the wheel, and the wheel cover 1 is fixed to the rim flange portion 3 by connecting and fixing the wheel cover 1 to each clip 2. .
[0003]
Since the clip 2 is shown schematically in FIG. 1, this is shown in detail in FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the clip 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a method of fixing the clip 2 to the rim flange portion 3. Note that mushroom-like protrusions 28 are densely formed on the upper surface of the connecting portion 26 (see FIG. 3), but the illustration thereof is omitted in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity.
[0004]
The clip 2 includes a resin main body 25 and a metal clamping member 21. The resin main body 25 is fixed to the rim flange portion 3 (see FIG. 4), the positioning portion 27 disposed along the inner peripheral surface 3a of the rim flange portion 3, and the wheel from the upper end position of the positioning portion 27. And a connecting portion 26 extending inward in the radial direction. The connecting portion 26 is connected and fixed to the back surface of the wheel cover 1. Further, the positioning portion 27 includes a curved wall surface 27a adapted to the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 3a of the rim flange portion 3, and a substantially flat flat wall surface 27c on the opposite side. A concave portion 27b extending in the wheel axis direction is formed in the central portion of the curved wall surface 27a. As a result, the curved wall surface 27a is divided into two at intervals in the wheel circumferential direction.
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 3, the metal clamping member 21 is a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is a substantially flat clamping plate 22 that fits the flat wall surface 27 c of the positioning portion 27 of the resin body 25. And a clamping curved plate 23 adapted to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 3b of the rim flange portion 3. A rectangular opening 29 is formed in the upper end surface of the positioning portion 27 of the resin body 25. By inserting the sandwiching plate 22 of the metal sandwiching member 21 into the opening 29, the resin body 25 and the metal The sandwiching member 21 can be combined. The concave portion 27b formed in the positioning portion 27 of the resin main body 25 allows the front end portion 23a of the holding curved plate 23 of the metal holding member to pass smoothly when the resin main body 25 and the metal holding member 21 are combined. However, such a recess is not necessarily formed.
[0006]
The clip 2 formed by combining the resin main body 25 and the metal clamping member 21 is held in the posture shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the rim flange portion 3, and using a mallet or the like in the arrow direction in FIG. When struck, the clip 2 is fixed to the rim flange portion 3 of the wheel (see FIG. 4). That is, the rim flange portion 3 and the positioning portion 27 of the clip body disposed along the inner peripheral surface 3a are sandwiched by the metal sandwiching member 21 from both sides. The clamping flat plate 22 of the metal clamping member 21 extends along the flat wall surface 27c of the positioning portion 27, and the clamping curved plate 23 extends along the curved outer peripheral surface 3b of the rim flange portion 3.
[0007]
After a plurality of clips 2 are attached along the periphery of the rim flange portion 3 of the wheel, the wheel cover 1 is attached to the wheel by connecting the wheel cover 1 and the clip 2 as shown in FIG. That is, a large number of elastically deformable mushroom-like projections 28 are formed densely on the upper surface of the connecting portion 26 of the clip 2. An engagement member 30 in which similar mushroom-like projections 28 ′ are densely formed on a flat substrate is fixed to the rear surface of the wheel cover 1. That is, the engaging member 30 fixed to the back surface of the wheel cover 1 and the connecting portion 26 of the clip 2 form a kind of planar fastener. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cut-and-raised portion 22a is formed in the vicinity of the tip of the sandwiching flat plate 22 to prevent it from coming off.
[0008]
When the wheel cover 1 is attached to the wheel by the above method, when the clip 2 is hit with a wooden mallet or the like, the clip 2 is held in the posture shown in FIG. 3 by hand. Although the raising portion 22a is provided, the engagement between the metal holding portion 21 and the resin main body 25 is unstable, and the metal holding portion is dropped or the position of the entire clip 2 is shifted. It is difficult to accurately fix the clip 2 at a desired position.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, a technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a clip for attaching a wheel cover that can be easily and accurately fixed to a desired position on the periphery of the rim flange portion of the wheel.
[0010]
[Means / Actions / Effects to Solve Problems]
The present invention was devised in order to effectively solve the above-described problem. In the initial stage of the fixing operation to the rim flange portion, a temporary fixing means for engaging the rim flange portion and temporarily fixing the clip is provided. A wheel cover mounting clip provided is provided. According to the present invention, a wheel cover mounting clip having the following configuration is provided.
[0011]
The clip for attaching the wheel cover according to the present invention has a curved wall surface along the inner peripheral surface of the rim flange portion of the wheel to which the wheel cover is attached, and is disposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rim flange portion. `` Positioning part that is extended from the upper end of the positioning part to the inner side in the radial direction of the wheel and connected to the wheel cover '' and `` a positioning part that extends from the upper end of the positioning part to the outer peripheral surface side of the rim flange part '' In addition, a predetermined gap is formed between the curved wall surface of the positioning part, and a rim flange part inserted into the gap is provided with a clamping piece that clamps and fixes the rim flange part in cooperation with the positioning part. And the elastic protrusion for temporary fixing extended toward the said clearance gap is formed in the lower end part vicinity of the curved wall surface of a positioning part.
[0012]
In the wheel cover mounting clip having the above-described configuration, at the initial stage of fixing the clip to the rim flange portion, the tip end portion of the holding piece and the elastic protrusion extending from the curved wall surface of the positioning portion pinch the rim flange portion. Thus, the clip is temporarily fixed at a desired position on the periphery of the rim flange portion. That is, it is possible to perform a final fixing operation using a mallet or the like on the clip in the temporarily fixed state. Therefore, the position of the clip is not displaced, and the clip can be accurately attached at a desired position along the periphery of the rim flange portion.
[0013]
In the wheel cover mounting clip of the present invention, a plurality of the temporary fixing elastic protrusions are formed along the vertical direction, and the length of each protrusion is set to become longer as it goes downward. preferable. When a plurality of temporary fixing elastic protrusions are provided, in the work of fixing the clip to the rim flange portion, the rim flange portion is sandwiched in order from the lower protrusion. Since the elastic projections are more easily elastically deformed as the length is longer, the clip can be fixed to the rim flange portion more easily by setting the length of each projection to be longer downward. It becomes.
[0014]
Moreover, in the wheel cover mounting clip of the present invention, the positioning portion, the connecting portion, and the sandwiching piece may be integrally formed of resin or the like, or may be configured by combining a plurality of components.
[0015]
When combining a plurality of parts, “a clip body in which the positioning portion and the connecting portion are integrally formed and has an opening that penetrates in the wheel axis direction near the boundary between the positioning portion and the connecting portion” "A member having a substantially U-shaped cross section having first and second legs, and is assembled to the clip body by inserting the first leg into the opening, and the second leg It is preferable to constitute a wheel cover mounting clip with a “holding member that functions as the above-mentioned holding piece”.
[0016]
Further, in this case, (1) a substantially flat flat wall surface is provided on the back side of the curved wall surface of the positioning part, and (2) a clamping plate that fits the first leg part of the clamping member to the flat wall surface of the positioning part. Thus, the second leg portion is composed of a sandwich curved plate adapted to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the rim flange portion, and (3) the sandwich curved plate when the sandwich flat plate is inserted into the opening on the curved wall surface of the positioning portion. It is preferable to form a concave portion that allows passage of the tip portion. And, as a retaining means for the clamping member, “an elastic projection standing near the entrance of the opening and pressing the clamping flat plate against the flat wall surface” and “the tip of the clamping curved plate standing in the concave portion” It is preferable to include an elastic protrusion that abuts against the tip when passing through the recess. When such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to reliably prevent the holding member from being accidentally dropped from the clip body.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a clip for attaching a wheel cover of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The clip for attaching the wheel cover of the present invention has the same general configuration as the clip 2 according to the prior art shown in FIGS. The difference between the conventional clip 2 and the clip of the present invention is that a temporary fixing rib and a retaining rib described later are formed on the resin main body. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the components common to the clip 2 shown in FIGS.
[0018]
The wheel cover mounting clip 101 according to the present invention (see FIG. 9) includes a resin main body (clip main body) 100 and a metal clamping member 21 (not necessarily made of metal but may be made of plastic). Composed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the resin main body 100, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. In FIG. 5, the illustration of the mushroom-like projection group formed densely on the upper surface of the connecting portion 26 is omitted.
[0019]
First, the elastic protrusions (temporary fixing ribs) 41, 42, and 43, which are the first characteristic part in the present invention, will be described. In FIG. 6, a curved wall surface 27a indicated by a broken line indicates that in the case of the clip 2 according to the prior art of FIG. In the present invention, the lower end portion of the curved wall surface 27a is a cut portion 50 formed as if it is cut linearly in an oblique direction, and three elastic protrusions 41, 42, 43 protruding from the cut portion 50 are used. Is formed. Each elastic protrusion extends in a direction parallel to the connecting portion 26 and is formed integrally with the resin main body 100. As can be seen from FIG. 6, each elastic protrusion 41, 42, 43 extends beyond the surface position of the curved wall surface 27 a in the conventional resin main body 25 indicated by a broken line. As will be described later, this is a configuration necessary for sandwiching the rim flange portion 3 between the elastic protrusion and the sandwiching curved plate.
[0020]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a method of fixing the wheel cover mounting clip 101 to the rim flange portion 3, and corresponds to FIG. When the clip 101 is fixed to the rim flange portion 3, a gap 60 formed between the curved wall surface 27a of the positioning portion 27 of the resin main body and the sandwiching curved plate (second leg portion) 23 of the sandwiching member (see FIG. 9) is sandwiched between the positioning portion 27 and the sandwiching curved plate 23. In the clip 101 of the present invention, the rim flange portion 3 is erected on the cut portion at the lower end of the curved wall surface of the positioning portion. The elastic protrusions 41, 42, 43 thus formed extend toward the gap 60.
[0021]
In the conventional example shown in FIG. 3, it is necessary to hold the clip 2 by hand in order to maintain the posture of the clip 2 with respect to the rim flange portion 3 as shown. In contrast, in the clip 101 of the present invention, the elastic protrusions 41, 42, 43 are elastically deformed at the distal ends thereof, whereby the elastic protrusions and the sandwiching curved plate distal end portion 23a of the sandwiching member are connected to the end of the rim flange portion 3. As a result, the clip 101 is held in the posture shown in FIG. 7 (temporarily fixed). In this state, the clip 101 can be fixed to the rim flange portion 3 by using a mallet or the like and hitting it similarly to the case of FIG. FIG. 8 shows this state and corresponds to FIG. In FIG. 8, the wheel cover is not shown.
[0022]
As can be seen from FIG. 8, even when the clip 101 is fixed to the rim flange portion 3, the elastic protrusions 41, 42, 43 are elastically deformed and pressed against the inner peripheral surface 3a of the rim flange portion. Also in the clip 101 of the present invention, as in the case of the clip 2, the metal clamping member 21 clamps the rim flange portion 3 and the positioning portion 27 of the resin main body 100 from both sides. It can be seen that the elastic protrusions 41, 42 and 43 are enhanced by the elastic resistance. The protrusion indicated by reference numeral 31 is a retaining rib described later. However, after the clip 101 is fixed to the rim flange portion 3, the elastic protrusion 41, 42, and 43 are elastic as described above. It also has a function of increasing the clamping force by the clamping member 21 by resistance.
[0023]
In the illustrated example, each of the elastic protrusions 41, 42, and 43 has a fin shape (see FIG. 5), but the shape is not particularly limited in the present invention. In addition, as long as the clip 101 is temporarily fastened by biting into the end of the rim flange portion 3, it is not necessary to be formed in both the left and right cut portions 50, and only one of the cut portions is formed. Also good.
[0024]
Furthermore, although three elastic protrusions are formed along the vertical direction of the cut portion 50, the number thereof is not particularly limited. When a plurality of elastic protrusions are formed, as can be seen from FIG. 6, it is preferable to set the length of each protrusion to be longer as it goes downward. The longer the elastic protrusion is, the easier the elastic deformation is. Therefore, by setting the length of each protrusion to be longer as it goes downward, it becomes easier to fix the clip to the rim flange. .
[0025]
Next, the elastic protrusions (prevention ribs) 31 and 32, which are the second feature of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the wheel cover mounting clip 101 of the present invention before being fixed to the rim flange portion 3.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 6, the wall-shaped positioning portion 27 of the resin main body 100 includes a curved wall surface 27a adapted to the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 3a of the rim flange portion, and a substantially flat flat wall surface 27c on the back side thereof. Yes. As shown in FIG. 8, the positioning portion 27 is disposed at a desired position on the periphery of the rim flange portion 3 with the curved wall surface 27a being along the inner peripheral surface 3a of the rim flange portion. And the clamping member 21 clamps the positioning part 27 of the resin main body 100 arrange | positioned at the rim flange part 3 and the inner peripheral surface side from both sides. At this time, the clamping flat plate (first leg portion) 22 of the clamping member 21 is along the flat wall surface 27c of the positioning portion 27, and the clamping curved plate (second leg portion) 23 is along the rim flange outer peripheral surface 3b.
[0027]
The sandwiching flat plate 22 of the sandwiching member 21 can be disposed along the flat wall surface 27c of the positioning portion 27 by being inserted into an opening 29 formed on the upper end surface of the positioning portion 27. That is, in FIG. 9, the clamping member 21 is assembled to the resin main body 100 by moving relative to the resin main body 100 from directly above to directly below as indicated by an arrow. As already described, a cut-and-raised portion 22a for preventing the removal is provided at a position in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the sandwiching flat plate 22. Therefore, the width of the opening 29 is also sized to allow the passage of the cut-and-raised 22a, and conversely, the sandwiching flat plate 22 is easily dropped from the opening 29.
[0028]
In order to prevent the sandwiching flat plate 22 from falling off, an elastic protrusion 32 that projects in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the sandwiching flat plate 22 (the arrow direction in FIG. 9) is provided near the entrance of the opening 29. The elastic protrusion 32 protrudes to a position where its tip end is in pressure contact with the surface of the sandwiching flat plate 22, and presses the sandwiching flat plate 22 against the flat wall surface 27c. When the cut-and-raised portion 22a is provided on the sandwiching flat plate 22 as in the illustrated example, the elastic protrusion 32 needs to abut on the surface of the sandwiched flat plate 22 opposite to the cut-and-raised portion 22a. is there. When such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to reliably prevent the sandwiching flat plate 22 from falling off by the synergistic effect of the cut and raised portion 22a and the elastic protrusion 32.
[0029]
The resin main body 100 is provided with another elastic protrusion 31 that functions as a retaining rib. The elastic protrusion 31 is provided on the concave portion 27b that functions as a passage that allows passage of the distal end portion 23a of the sandwiching curved plate 23 when the resin main body 100 and the sandwiching member 21 are assembled. When the engagement between the cut-and-raised portion 22a and the engaging recess 27d is disengaged from the state shown in FIG. 9 and the clamping member 21 is about to move upward, as shown by the auxiliary line A in FIG. The protrusion 31 comes into contact with the sandwiched curved plate tip 23a to prevent its movement. When the cut-and-raised portion 22a is provided, the pinched curved plate distal end portion 23a moves further to the right than shown in FIG. 9 by disengaging the cut-and-raised portion 22a and the engaging recess 27d. I think that.
[0030]
As can be seen from the above description, the synergistic effect of the two elastic protrusions 31 and 32 provides a sufficient retaining effect even when the cut-and-raised 22a is not provided, and the effect is further increased when the cut-and-raised 22a is provided. . The elastic protrusions 31 and 32 may be fin-like or rod-like protrusions as in the case of the elastic protrusions 41, 42, and 43 as the temporary fixing ribs described above.
[0031]
In the embodiment described above, the example in which the clip for attaching the wheel cover is configured by combining the clip main body and the clamping member has been shown. However, in the present invention, the entire clip can be integrally formed with resin or the like. . In addition, the illustrated connecting portion 26 is connected and fixed to the rear surface of the wheel cover by a kind of planar fastener using the densely formed mushroom-like projections 28 and 28 '. The connection mode between the wheel cover 1 and the wheel cover 1 is not particularly limited, and a general planar fastener using a loop portion and a hook portion, a snap engagement means using a male member and a female member, or the like is used. May be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional configuration for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel.
2 is an exploded perspective view of the wheel cover mounting clip shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of fixing the wheel cover mounting clip shown in FIG. 1 to a rim flange portion. FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the wheel cover mounting clip shown in FIG. 1 fixed to a rim flange portion. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a resin main body constituting the wheel cover mounting clip of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of fixing the wheel cover mounting clip of the present invention to the rim flange portion.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the wheel cover mounting clip of the present invention fixed to the rim flange portion.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wheel cover mounting clip according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wheel cover 2 Wheel cover attachment clip 3 Rim flange part 3a Rim flange part inner peripheral surface 3b Rim flange part outer peripheral surface
21 Metal clamping members
22 Holding plate
22a Cut and raised part
23 Clamping curved plate
25 Resin body
26 Connection
27 Positioning part
27a Curved wall
27b recess
27c flat wall
27d engagement recess
28, 28 'mushroom-like projections
29 opening
30 Engagement member
31, 32 Elastic protrusion (Retaining rib)
41, 42, 43 Elastic protrusion (temporary fixing rib)
50 excision
60 Clearance
100 resin body
101 Wheel cover mounting clip

Claims (2)

The wheel cover (1) has a curved wall surface (27a) along the inner peripheral surface (3a) of the rim flange portion (3) of the wheel to which the wheel cover (1) is attached. The curved wall surface (27a) is connected to the inner peripheral surface (3a) of the rim flange portion. Positioning part (27) disposed in contact with
A connecting portion (26) extending from the upper end of the positioning portion to the inside in the wheel radial direction and connected to the wheel cover (1);
A predetermined gap (60) is formed between the upper end of the positioning portion and the outer peripheral surface (3b) of the rim flange portion to form a predetermined gap (60) between the positioning portion and the curved wall surface (27a). A clamping piece (23) for clamping and fixing the inserted rim flange part (3) in cooperation with the positioning part ;
A clip for attaching a wheel cover, wherein an elastic protrusion (41, 42, 43) for temporary fixing extending toward the gap is formed in the vicinity of the lower end (50) of the curved wall surface (27a) of the positioning portion. Because
The wheel cover mounting clip is
It is integrally formed with the positioning portion (27) and a connecting portion (26), and a clip body having an opening (29) penetrating in the axial direction of the wheel in the vicinity of the boundary between the connecting portion and the positioning portion ( and 100),
A member having a substantially U-shaped cross section having first and second legs, and is assembled to the clip body (100) by inserting the first leg (22) into the opening (29). The second leg portion (23) is composed of a clamping member (21) functioning as the clamping piece ,
The positioning portion (27) has a substantially flat flat wall surface (27c) on the back side of the curved wall surface (27a) ,
A sandwiching curved plate in which the first leg of the sandwiching member (21) is a sandwiching flat plate (22) adapted to the flat wall surface (27c) of the positioning portion , and the second leg is adapted to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface ( 3b ) of the rim flange. (23), each configured,
The curved wall surface (27a) of the positioning portion is formed with a recess (27b) that allows passage of the distal end portion (23a) of the sandwiched curved plate (23) when the sandwiched flat plate is inserted into the opening (29). And
An elastic projection (32) standing near the entrance of the opening (29) and pressing the clamping plate (22) against the flat wall surface (27c) , and a clamping curve standing on the recess (27b) characterized in that the plate tip (23a) is provided with a retaining means in contact with the elastic protrusion tip end portion (23a) (31) and the clamping member (21) when passing through the concave portion (27b) The wheel cover mounting clip.   A plurality of the temporary fixing elastic protrusions (41, 42, 43) are formed along the vertical direction, and the length of each protrusion is set to become longer as it goes downward, The wheel cover mounting clip according to claim 1.

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