IP Library Granted Patent US 10,797,477
Granted Patent B1
US 10,797,477 · App. 16/670,052 · Granted Oct 6, 2020

Clip for flat wiring and robotic assembly

Inventors: David R. Peterson (Aurora, OH); Joseph Sudik, Jr. (Niles, OH)
Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
H02G3/32B60R16/0215
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,797,477
App. No.
16/670,052
Granted
Oct 6, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

A clip includes first and second portions that are joined to one another by a living hinge. A snap includes first and second coupling elements that are respectively provided on the first and second portions. The first and second coupling elements are decoupled from one another in a closed clip position and are coupled to one another in an open clip position. Each of the first and second portions define an elongated slot that extends through a width of the clip that has an open end and a closed end. The open ends face a same direction. Each of the first and second portions include a first and second spring respectively. The first and second springs face one another. The first and second springs are configured to clamp about a wiring in the closed clip position.

Claims (54)

1. A clip, comprising:

first and second portions joined to one another by a living hinge,

a snap including first and second coupling elements respectively provided on the first and second portions,

the first and second coupling elements decoupled from one another in a closed clip position and coupled to one another in an open clip position;

wherein each of the first and second portions define an elongated slot extending through a width of the clip having an open end and a closed end, the open ends facing a same direction;

wherein each of the first and second portions include a first and second spring respectively,

the first and second springs facing one another,

the first and second springs configured to clamp about a wiring in the closed clip position;

wherein the first spring circumscribes a first opening extending through a width of the first portion and the second spring circumscribes a second opening extending through a width of the second portion;

wherein the first and second openings define a trapezoidal shape; and

wherein each of the first portions supports a first and second projection respectively extending to a first and second face,

the first projections adjacent to the hinge,

and the second projections adjacent to the snap,

the first faces abutting one another in the closed clip position, and the second faces abutting one another in the closed clip position.

2. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the clip is unitary molded plastic structure.

3. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the first and second springs provided by resilient fixed beam structures with a flat portion that is configured to engage the wiring.

4. The clip of claim 1 , wherein each elongated slot defines two parallel interior walls.

5. The clip of claim 1 , wherein a relief notch is provided between the first and second projections and each of the springs.

6. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the clip extends a width direction, a length direction and a height direction,

a clip height greater than a clip width and less than a clip length,

and comprising an attachment feature extending from the first portion in the height direction at least half of the clip height.

7. The clip of claim 6 , wherein the attachment features extends from the second portion.

8. The clip of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling element is provided by one of a hook and a protrusion,

and the second coupling element is provided by the other of the hook and the protrusion.

9. The clip of claim 1 , comprising a first bar interconnecting the first portions of multiple clips, and a second bar interconnecting the second portions of the multiple clips.

10. A clip assembly comprising multiple clips according to claim 1 , the assembly further comprising a sprue interconnecting multiple clips along a width direction,

the sprue configured to be removed during a clip manufacturing process.

11. A wiring harness assembly comprising:

a wiring harness having multiple wires, each wire having a conductor covered in insulation, the insulation includes webbing that interconnects the wires to one another,

wherein each conductor is formed of a solid, non-stranded conductive material and wherein each of the conductors has a rectangular profile having a width and a height,

wherein the width is at least twice the height; and

the clip according to claim 1 .

12. A wiring harness clip, comprising:

first and second portions joined to one another by a living hinge,

a snap including first and second coupling elements respectively provided on the first and second portions,

the first and second coupling elements decoupled from one another in a closed clip position and coupled to one another in an open clip position;

wherein each of the first and second portions define an elongated slot extending through a width of the clip having an open end and a closed end, the open ends facing a same direction;

wherein each of the first and second portions include a spring facing one another,

the springs configured to clamp about a wiring in the closed clip position,

wherein each spring is characterized as having a trapezoidal shape with a minor parallel portion that is configured to engage the wiring;

wherein the first and second portions each circumscribe a trapezoidal opening extending through a width of the clip; and

wherein each of the first and second portions supports a first and second projection respectively extending to a first and second face,

the first projections adjacent to the hinge,

and the second projections adjacent to the snap,

the first faces abutting one another in the closed clip position,

and the second faces abutting one another in the closed clip position.

13. The clip of claim 12 , wherein the clip is a unitary molded plastic structure.

14. The clip of claim 12 , wherein a relief notch is provided between the first and second projections and each of the springs.

15. A wire harness assembly, comprising:

having wiring with multiple wires,

each wire having a conductor covered in insulation, the insulation includes webbing that interconnects the wires to one another,

wherein each conductor is formed of a solid, non-stranded conductive material and wherein each of the conductors has a generally rectangular profile having a width and a height,

wherein the width is at least twice the height;

and the clip according to claim 12 .

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2026
From: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
To: APTIV MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT SERVICES GMBH
Reel/Frame 075493/0823 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2024
From: APTIV MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT SERVICES S.À R.L.
To: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
Reel/Frame 066551/0219 →
MERGER Recorded Feb 11, 2024
From: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES (2) S.À R.L.
To: APTIV MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT SERVICES S.À R.L.
Reel/Frame 066566/0173 →
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Feb 11, 2024
From: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
To: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES (2) S.À R.L.
Reel/Frame 066746/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2019
From: PETERSON, DAVID R.; SUDIK, JOSEPH, JR
To: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 050880/0664 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,618,243