Clip for fastening a component, such as a footrest, to a workpiece

Abstract

A clip ( 1 ) comprises a shank ( 6 ) adapted to be inserted into a mounting hole of a footrest, a flange ( 7 ) formed at a first end of the shank, and first engagement means ( 9 ) provided at a second opposite end of the shank ( 6 ), so as to support the footrest by means of the shank ( 6 ), the flange ( 7 ) and the first engagement means ( 9 ). The clip ( 1 ) further comprises an engagement pawl 10 provided in the shank ( 6 ) to be engaged with a stud so as to fasten the footrest to a body panel. The first engagement means ( 9 ) includes a head ( 13 ) connected to the second end of the shank through a column ( 11 ), a first flexible arm ( 14 ) extending obliquely from the second end of the shank toward the head ( 13 ), a second arm ( 15 ) having an intermediate portion connected to the top end of the first arm ( 14 ) and a first end adjacent to the head ( 13 ) and extending obliquely from the first end toward the flange, and an inner space ( 17 ) for allowing the first and second arms to be retracted therein. Under a condition that the flange ( 7 ) is in contact with one of the surfaces of the footrest, the first end of the second arm is brought into contact with the head ( 13 ), and a second end of the second arm is brought into contact with the other surface of the footrest.

1 . A clip for attaching a component such as a footrest to a workpiece such as a car body panel, comprising: a shank adapted to be inserted into a mounting hole of the component to the workpiece; a flange formed at a first end of said shank; first engagement means provided at a second end of said shank; and second engagement means provided in said shank, wherein said shank, said flange and said first engagement means are cooperable with each other to support said component, and said second engagement means is engaged with a fastener fixed on said workpiece so as to fasten said component to said workpiece, wherein said first engagement means includes: 
 a head connected to the second end of said shank;    a first flexible arm extending from a position on said shank and spaced apart from said head toward and outward of said head;    a second arm having a first end adjacent to said head and an intermediate portion connected to and supported by the top end of said first arm, said second arm extending from said first end toward said flange and away from said shank; and    an inner space defined between the root portion of said first arm and said head to allow said first and second arms to be retracted therein when said shank is inserted into said mounting hole of said component, and    wherein said first end of said second arm is formed to bring it into contact with said head under a condition that said shank is inserted into said mounting hole of said component to bring said flange into contact with one of the surfaces of said component, and a second end of said second arm is formed to bring it into contact with the other surface of said component under the above flange contact condition.    
   
   
       2 . The clip as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said head and said second end of said shank are connected with one another by means of a column extending in the axial direction of said shank, and said inner space is formed in said column.  
   
   
       3 . The clip as defined in  claim 2 , wherein two sets of said first and second arms are provided on opposite sides of said column.  
   
   
       4 . The clip as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said second arm is formed of a thick rigid plate member, and said first arm is formed of a thin elastic plate member, wherein under the above flange contact condition, said first arm serves to support said second arm to pull it toward said shank so as to bring said first end of said second arm into contact with said head and bring said second end of said second arm into contact with said component.  
   
   
       5 . The clip as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said second end of said second arm is formed in a wide plate for increasing the contact area thereof with said component.  
   
   
       6 . The clip as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said head is formed with an engagement concave portion for receiving said first end of said second arm to be brought into contact with said head.  
   
   
       7 . The clip as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said head is formed with an engagement concave portion for receiving said first end of said second arm to be brought into contact with said head.  
   
   
       8 . The clip as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is a stud standing on said workpiece, wherein said shank has a hollow portion for receiving said stud therein, and said second engagement means comprises an engagement pawl formed in said hollow portion and adapted to be engaged with said stud.  
   
   
       9 . The clip as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said head is formed with a slot for allowing a tool to be engaged therewith, so that said shank having said stud received therein can be axially rotated with said tool in the direction causing said shank to be detached from said stud.  
   
   
       10 . The clip as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said fastener is a stud standing on said workpiece, wherein said shank has a hollow portion for receiving said stud therein, and said second engagement means comprises an engagement pawl formed in said hollow portion and adapted to be engaged with said stud.