Mounting clip for plastic containers

Abstract

A clip for attaching a component to a container. The clip has a generally tubular body including folds giving the clip a corrugated appearance. The clip and container are formed from similar plastic materials so that when the clip is placed in contact with a container having latent heat from formation, the exterior surface of the folds melts to the container to form a bond area. The folds also define a passageway in which the component is retained.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A clip for securing a component, said clip comprising: 
 a generally tubular body having a plurality of ridges and a continuous internal surface to receive and completely encircle the component.    
     
     
         2 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said tubular body includes a longitudinal axis, said ridges being axially aligned along said longitudinal access.  
     
     
         3 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said tubular body includes grooves between said ridges, said grooves defining said continuous internal surface.  
     
     
         4 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said tubular body is formed from a material compatible for heat bonding.  
     
     
         5 . The clip of  claim 4 , wherein said material is polyethylene.  
     
     
         6 . A component attachment assembly comprising: 
 a component; and    a clip having a plurality of ridges and a continuous internal surface to receive and completely encircle said component.    
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said clip includes a longitudinal axis, said ridges being axially aligned along said longitudinal access.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , including a container, said container being formed from a material compatible for heat bonding with said clip.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said clip is attached to said container with said ridges, said container and said ridges forming a bond area.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said container is formed from a material having a first melting point, said clip being formed from a material having a second melting temperature lower than said first melting temperature.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said container is formed from a high density polyethylene and said clip is formed from a low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said container is a fuel tank for a vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said clip includes grooves between said ridges, said grooves defining said continuous internal surface.  
     
     
         14 . A method of attaching a component to a container comprising: 
 forming a clip having a plurality of ridges axially arranged about a longitudinal axis, said clip having a continuous interior surface;    forming the container by a thermal process resulting in latent heat at a mounting surface;    placing said clip against said mounting surface to melt said folds to said fuel tank to form a bond area.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said clip includes a plurality of grooves between said ridges, said interior surface being defined by said grooves.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said interior surface defines a passageway.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  including the step of assembling the component into said passageway.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the component is a vapor valve line, a wiring harness or a fuel delivery line.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said ridges and said grooves are flexible to allow said clip to attach to curved geometric surfaces.