DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of connectors. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the field of connecting arrangements.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following term is generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
The expression ‘dog house’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to, but is not limited to, a molded-in type of a connector configured on a base for facilitating the holding of another component on the base.
BACKGROUND
Conventional connecting arrangement for mounting a component on a base employs a dog house which is a molded-in type of a connector used for mounting one or two components via a clip. Typically, the dog house is integral with the component on which the clip is to be connected. However, a disadvantage associated with the conventional connecting arrangement is that, once connected, the position of the clip cannot be adjusted or oriented, and the clip is retained in a particular fixed orientation.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a connecting arrangement in which the orientation of the clips can be changed in accordance with the application requirements.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present invention is to provide a connecting arrangement that facilitate changing the orientation of clips.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a connecting arrangement that is easy to operate.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a connecting arrangement that has simple configuration.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a connecting arrangement that is reliable.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a connecting arrangement for mounting a component on a base.
The connecting arrangement comprises a male part and a female part. The male part is configured on the base. The male part comprises a dog house, a collar, and a clip. The dog house extends from an operative top surface of the base. The dog house has a slot configured thereon. The collar is receivable within the slot of the dog house. The collar has a first plate and a second plate connected to each other via a joining element, thereby defining a groove therebetween. In an embodiment, the groove extends along most of the periphery of the collar.
Further, a socket is configured on an operative top surface of the collar. In another embodiment, the socket is configured on the first plate of the collar.
The clip is defined by a spherical head and a conical portion. The spherical head is configured to be received within the socket to facilitate reorientation of the clip in the collar. In an embodiment, the spherical head and the socket form a ball and socket type of joint.
The female part is configured on the component to be mounted on the base. The female part has a hole configured to receive the conical portion to facilitate mounting of the component on the base.
In an embodiment, the collar is snap fitted into the slot of the dog house by means of the joining element.
In another embodiment, the conical portion of the clip is made of a resilient material. In still another embodiment, the conical portion of the clip is snap fitted in said female part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A connecting arrangement of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of a conventional connecting arrangement;
Figure 1B illustrates an isometric view of another conventional connecting arrangement;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a connecting arrangement for mounting a component on a base in accordance with present disclosure;
Figure 3A to Figure 3C illustrate isometric views of the components of a male part of the connecting arrangement of Figure 2.
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the connecting arrangement of Figure 2.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 - Conventional arrangement
101 - First support location
102 - Base
103 - Second support location
104 - Dog house
105 - Component
106 - Clip
108 - Projection
110 - Double sided tape
200 - Another conventional arrangement
201 - First support location
202 - Base
203 - Second support location
204 - First dog house
205 - Component
206A - First Clip
206B - Second clip
208 - Second dog house
208A - Complementary depression
300 - Connecting arrangement
301 - First support location
302 - Base
303 - Second support location
304 - Dog house
305 - Component
306 - Collar
306a - Groove
306b - Socket
306c - First plate
306d - Second plate
307 - Female part
308 - Clip
308a - Spherical head
308b - Conical portion
309 - Slot
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of a conventional connecting arrangement 100 (hereinafter also referred to as “conventional arrangement 100”). The conventional arrangement 100 is used to provide support or to mount a component 105 on the base 102. The base 102 has a bent configuration and the component 105 that is to be mounted on the base 102 is supported at two distinct locations (101, 103).
At location 101, a dog house 104 is configured such that the dog house 104 extends from the base 102. The dog house 104 has a slot configured thereon to receive a clip 106. The clip 106, subsequent to being received inside the dog house 104, holds the component 105 securely at location 101. Further, at location 103, a projection 108 is provided which extends from the base 102. A strip of double sided tape 110 is affixed over the projection 108. The double sided tape 110 holds the component 105 adhesively, thereby providing a certain degree to adhesion thereto and supporting the component 105 over the base 102. The disadvantage of this conventional arrangement 100 is that the double sided tape 110 being expensive does not provide a reliable support.
Figure 1B illustrates an isometric view of another conventional connecting arrangement 200 (hereinafter also referred to as “the conventional arrangement 200”). The conventional arrangement 200 is used to provide support or facilitate mounting of a component 205 on a base 202. The base 202 has a bent configuration, and the component 205 that is to be mounted on the base 202 is supported at two distinct locations (201, 203).
At first support location 201, a first dog house 204 is configured such that the first dog house 204 extends from the base 202. The first dog house 204 has a slot to receive a first clip 206A. The first clip 206A, subsequent to being received inside the first dog house 204, holds the component 205 securely at the first support location 201. Further, at a second support location 203, a second dog house 208 having an inclined configuration is configured on the base 202. The second dog house 208 is configured to mate with a complementary depression 208A configured on the component 205. A second clip 206B is received inside the second dog house 208 to hold the component 205 at the second support location 203. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that it requires customization in the component 205 which may not always be feasible.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a connecting arrangement in which the orientation of the clip can be changed in accordance with the application requirements, thereby alleviating the above mentioned drawbacks of the conventional connecting arrangement.
A preferred embodiment of a connecting arrangement of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The connecting arrangement of the present disclosure is now described with reference to Figure 2 through Figure 4.
A connecting arrangement 300 is used to provide support or to mount a component 305 on a base 302. In an embodiment, the base 302 has a bent configuration. The connecting arrangement comprises a male part (not exclusively labelled in the figures) and a female part 307. The male part comprises a dog house 304, a collar 306, and a clip 308. The dog house 304 extends from an operative top surface of the base, and has a slot 309 configured thereon. The collar 306 is receivable within the slot 309 of the dog house 304. The collar 306 has a first plate 306c and a second plate 306d connected to each other via a joining element (not shown in figures), thereby defining a groove 306a therebetween. Further, the collar 306 has a socket 306b configured on an operative top surface thereof.
The clip 308 is defined by a spherical head 308a and a conical portion 308b. The spherical head 308a is configured to be received within the socket to facilitate reorientation of the clip 308 in the collar 306.
The female part 307 is configured on the component 305 which is to be mounted on the base 302. The female part 307 has a hole configured on the component 305 to receive the conical portion 308b to facilitate mounting of the component 305 on the base 302. In an embodiment, the conical portion 308b of the clip 308 is snap fitted in the female part 307.
In an embodiment, the conical portion 308b is made of a plastic. In another embodiment, the conical portion 308b is made of a resilient material. In still another embodiment, the conical portion 308b is made of a flexible material.
In an embodiment, the component 305 is supported by the connecting arrangement 300 of the present disclosure at plurality of locations of the base 302.
In an exemplary embodiment, the component 305 is supported by the connecting arrangement 300 at two distinct locations (301, 303) of the base 302, wherein the connecting arrangement 300 is configured at a first support location 301 and another connecting arrangement 300 is configured at a second support location 303.
Referring to Fig. 2, the clip 308 can be oriented in a first position I and a second position II. Positions I and II are only for exemplary purposes and should not be construed as the only positions in which the clip 308 can be oriented. More specifically, the clips 308 have three rotational degrees of freedom.
Thus, the connecting arrangement 300 of the present disclosure facilitates the reorientation of the clips 308 as per the application requirements. Also, the operation of the connecting arrangement 300 only involves fitting the collar 306 inside the dog house 304, and then inserting the spherical head 308a of the clip 308 inside the socket 306b of the collar 306. As such, the connecting arrangement 300 also has a very simple operative configuration. Further, the use of the connecting arrangement 300, as envisaged in the present disclosure, at the first support location 301 and the second support location 303 provide more reliable support and mounting of the component 305 on the base 302 as compared with the conventional connecting arrangements.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a connecting arrangement that:
• facilitates reorientation of the clips;
• has simple configuration;
• is reliable; and
• is easy to operate.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM
1. A connecting arrangement (300) for mounting a component (305) on a base (302), said arrangement (300) comprising:
a male part configured on said base (302), said male part comprising:
a dog house (304) extending from an operative top surface of said base (302), said dog house (304) having a slot (309) configured thereon;
a collar (306) receivable within said slot (309) of said dog house (304), said collar (306) having a first plate (306c) and a second plate (306d) connected to each other via a joining element and defining a groove (306a) therebetween, said collar (306) having a socket (306b) configured on an operative top surface thereof; and
a clip (308) defined by a spherical head (308a) and a conical portion (308b), said spherical head (308a) configured to be received within said socket (306b) to facilitate reorientation of said clip (308) in said collar (306); and
a female part (307) configured on said component (305), said female part having a hole configured to receive said conical portion (308b) to facilitate mounting of said component (305) on said base (302).
2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collar (306) is snap fitted in said slot (309) via said joining element.
3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said socket (306b) is configured on said first plate (306c) of said collar (306).
4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base (302) has a bent configuration.
5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said groove (306a) extends along the periphery of said collar (306).
6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spherical head (308a) and said socket (306b) form a ball and socket joint.
7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conical portion (308b) is made of a resilient material.
8. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conical portion (308b) of said clip (308) is snap fitted in said female part (307).