Fixing device with a clip

1 . A fastener device comprising a clip ( 200 ) and a fastener element ( 100 ), the clip ( 200 ) being formed by a main plate ( 210 ) and a backing plate ( 220 ) interconnected by a connection strip ( 230 ), and the fastener element ( 100 ) comprising a tube ( 110 ) secured to the main plate ( 210 ) and provided with an internal channel ( 120 ), the device being characterized by the fact that, at rest, the backing plate ( 220 ) is of non-rectilinear shape being convex towards the tube ( 110 ).

2 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the backing plate ( 220 ) is adapted to accept deformation into the plane state under mechanical stress.

3 . A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 , characterized by the fact that it is formed by a single piece of molded plastics material.

4 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized by the fact that it is made of polyoxymethylene.

5 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized by the fact that it is made of a material that allows elastic deformation to take place locally.

6 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized by the fact that the internal channel ( 120 ) of the tube ( 110 ) opens out at least to the inside of the clip ( 200 ).

7 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , characterized by the fact that the internal channel ( 120 ) of the tube ( 110 ) is adapted to receive a complementary fastener member ( 500 ) of the screw type, e.g. a metal screw or a sheet metal screw or a screw of soft material, a pin, a bolt, a ¼-turn fastener member, or any equivalent means, i.e. in general terms any fastener member having a flared head and a shank suitable for being engaged and held in the tube.

8 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized by the fact that the internal channel ( 120 ) of the tube possess a smooth surface.

9 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized by the fact that the internal channel ( 120 ) of the tube is tapped.

10 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , characterized by the fact that the internal channel ( 120 ) of the tube ( 110 ) presents draft, flaring slightly towards the end of the tube ( 110 ).

11 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , characterized by the fact that the main plate ( 210 ) possesses an orifice ( 218 ) in alignment with the channel ( 120 ) of the tube.

12 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , characterized by the fact that the backing plate ( 220 ) is of curved shape being convex towards the tube ( 110 ).

13 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , characterized by the fact that the backing plate ( 220 ) is formed by a circular cap centered about an axis orthogonal to the axis ( 112 ) of the tube and parallel to the connection strip ( 230 ).

14 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , characterized by the fact that the backing plate ( 220 ) possesses a through slot ( 228 ) for receiving the complementary fastener member.

15 . A device according to claim 14 , characterized by the fact that the slot ( 228 ) is of shape and dimensions adapted to avoid interacting with the complementary fastener member, regardless of the thickness of the part placed and clamped in the clip ( 200 ), and thus regardless of the extent to which the backing plate ( 220 ) is deformed.

16 . A device according to claim 14 or claim 15 , characterized by the fact that the slot ( 228 ) is elongate in a direction perpendicular to the connection strip ( 230 ).

17 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 , characterized by the fact that the two plates ( 210 , 220 ) are of different widths.

18 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , characterized by the fact that the backing plate ( 220 ) is wider than the main plate ( 210 ).

19 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 18 , characterized by the fact that the backing plate ( 220 ) is connected to the connection strip ( 230 ) by two segments ( 224 , 225 ) that converge towards the connection strip ( 230 ).

20 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 19 , characterized by the fact that the connection strip ( 230 ) at rest is inclined relative to the axis ( 112 ) of the tube ( 110 ).

21 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 20 , characterized by the fact that the connection strip ( 230 ) diverges relative to the axis ( 112 ) of the tube ( 110 ) going towards the backing plate ( 220 ).

22 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , characterized by the fact that the main plate ( 210 ) is provided on its inside surface with projecting means ( 240 ) suitable for holding the part that is inserted in the clip and for centering the device relative to a through hole formed in the part for fastening.

23 . A device according to claim 22 , characterized by the fact that the retaining means ( 240 ) is formed by a stud centered on the axis ( 112 ) of the tube.

24 . A device according to claim 23 , characterized by the fact that the stud ( 240 ) is defined by an end facet ( 244 ) that is truncated by a plane ( 246 ) directed towards the opening of the clip and that converges towards the main plate ( 210 ) going towards the opening outline of the clip ( 200 ).

25 . A device according to claim 23 or claim 24 , characterized by the fact that the portion of the stud ( 240 ) directed towards the connection strip ( 230 ) serves as an abutment against the edge of the hole formed in the part for assembly once the stud has been put into place so as to prevent the device from being removed freely.

26 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 25 , characterized by the fact that the opening facets ( 213 , 223 ) of the plates ( 210 , 220 ) are truncated and define chamfers ( 214 , 224 ) that diverge towards the outside of the clip.

27 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 26 , characterized by the fact that the free height (H 1 ) available at rest between the two plates ( 210 , 220 ) is ≧1.5 mm.

28 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 27 , characterized by the fact that the height (H 2 ) of the opening outline of the clip, measured between the two free edges ( 213 , 223 ) of the plates ( 210 , 220 ) is of the same order of magnitude as the height of the connection strip ( 230 ).

29 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 28 , characterized by the fact that the height (H 2 ) of the opening outline of the clip, measured between the two free edges ( 213 , 223 ) of the plates ( 210 , 220 ) is at least ≧2H 1 .

30 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 29 , characterized by the fact that the height (H 2 ) of the opening outline of the clip, measured between the two free edges ( 213 , 223 ) of the plates ( 210 , 220 ) is at least ≧3H 1 .

31 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 30 , characterized by the fact that the two connection zones ( 232 , 234 ) between the connection strip ( 230 ) and each of the two plates ( 210 , 220 ) respectively are adapted to be subjected to deformation such that under stress the connection strip ( 230 ) tilts progressively and the clip deforms like a deformable parallelogram, the two plates ( 210 , 220 ) remaining accurately parallel to each other.

32 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 30 , characterized by the fact that the connection strip ( 230 ) is deformable so as to enable the main plate ( 210 ) and the backing plate ( 230 ) to be maintained generally parallel.

33 . A device according to any one of claims 1 to 32 , characterized by the fact that it is made to have a distinctive color forming contrast relative to the parts to be fastened together, so as to act as an indicator of its own presence.