FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a single structured cushion clip for vehicle. It is
particularly used in glove box of vehicle without restricting scope of the.
invention to the same.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
Cushion clip is employed .in a vehicle to act as an intermediate part between a
stationary member and a movable member in order to absorb the impact. and
avoid surface to surface contact between the movable and stationary member .
. . The cushion clip can be mounted on stationary/ movable member.
Now reference may be made to fig. 1 indicating a known cushion clip which
comprises a cushion body ( 1) made of Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and a clip
body (2) made of polyacetal (POM). The cushion body is formed in a
substantially hollow cylindrical shape with the soft material and the clip body
constitutes a rigid part. Thus, the cushion clip comprises of ·two parts ·of
different materials which is manufactured by the process of co-molding
requiring a sophisticated tool.
The co-molding process involves injection molding of clip body followed by
rotation of tool for injection molding of cushion body from opposite direction. . r
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Thus the aforesaid cushion clip involves multiple process steps requ1nng
expens1ve tool as· it is not commonly available in our country. Further, it
consumes more time for manufacturing.
Another cushion clip under Patent No. JP 2007225093 is known to have been
provided in the art. This consists of a clip body integral to cushion body. The
clip body is made up of a synthetic resin, and· attachable by being inserted in
an installation hole of an installation member. The cushion body is made up of
a elastomer protruded from a base of the clip body. The cushion body is formed
in a bottomed. cylindrical shape. In the longitudinai section of a cylindrical wall
·crests, and troughs are alternately connected to form an elastically
compressible hollow-bellows.
The above cited arts do not full fill the requirements of the invention, for which
it is designed.·
Hence, there is a need to develop a single structured cushion clip for vehicle so
as to address the aforesaid short comings.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Primary object of the present invention 1::: to provide a single structured
cushion clip for vehicle which overcomes disadvantages associated w1ith the
prior art.
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Another object of the present ·invention is to provide a single structured
. cushion clip for vehicle which is cost effective and simple in construction.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a single structured cushion
clip for vehicle which serves the basic purpose of cushion.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a single structured
cushion clip for · vehicle which results in easy and simplified assembly
operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a single structured cushion clip
for vehicle comprising of cushion body integrated to clip body constituting an
elongated structure made of a single material.
1lRlEF DESCRIPTION OF. THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with. the accompanying
drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows:
Fig. 2 shows:
Fig. 3 shows:
Conventional cushion clip for vehicle;
Cushion clip in accordance with present invention;
Extended part of clip body according to present invention;
DETAIL . DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention discloses a novel cushion clip for vehicle constituting a single
structure made of a single material.
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Now, reference may be made to fig. 2, in which the cushion clip comprises ~
cushion body (1) integrated to a clip body (2) for support.
As already mentioned, the cushion body (1) constitutes a substantially hollow
cylindrical part made of a soft material. The cushion body can also form
hollow-bellows. Thus, the cushion body can take various shapes as per
requirement.
As shown in fig. 2, the clip body (2) compnses a hollow part (3) with an
extended part (4,5) at each end.
The extended part (4) forming one end of the clip body acts as a locking means
during assembly, which estab~ishes connectivity with bottom surface of the
cushion body.
The hollow part (3) between two extended parts (4, 5) is preferably substantially
V -shaped with a hole (6) at the centre to make the same flexible for ease in
assembly. The hole (6) is also preferably substantially V-shaped so as to.
maintain even distribution of load while assembling.
The extended part (5) of the clip body comprises a longitudinal member having
a tappered section at the end (T) as shown in fig. 3. This tappered section
facilitates insertion of the clip into the corresponding opening in the mating
part. Thus, the extended part (5) is used for fitting into the mating part.
'fhe length of the extended part (5) is optimized to be sufficient for assembling
the cushion clip body.
The thickness of the part (5) 1s such that, it is enough for insertion into the
hole of the mating part with tight grip.
The extended part (5) at the other end of the clip body IS longer than the
extended part (4) at one end thereof. Both the extended parts (4, 5) are in
alignment with each other. In the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the clip body is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis.
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All the parts of clip body together with the cushion body are integrated into one.
p1ece.
Thus, the instant invention generates a newly deviced cushion clip, which is
rigid enough to develop .required strength and also flexible enough . for ease in
assembly.
Single structure of the invention is made of a single material for example TPE
by injection molding. Other materials and methods readily apparent to a
person skilled in the art are understood to be within the scope of. the invention.
For injection molding_ of the cushion clip, already available tool for injection
molding can be utilized thus avoiding need of a sophisticated tool unlike prior
art.
Advantageous Features
Involves one step process.
Cost effective.
Easy manufacturing which is less time consuming.
Maintains appearance as in prior art without degrading aesthetic value of
the part where it is used.
Maintains the same strength like pnor art without, affecting NVH
characteristics of mating part in the vebcle.
lt is to be noted that the present invention is -susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-

We Claim:
1. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle comprising of cushion body
integrated to clip body constituting an elongated structure made of a
single material.
2.. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the clip body comprising a hollow part with an extended part at both
ends in the lqngitudinal direction of the cusl).ion clip.
3. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2
wherein the hollow part is preferably. substantially V -shaped with a hole .
at the centre.
4. A single· structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed m any of the
preceding claims wherein the hole is preferably substantially V-shaped.
5. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein the extended part forming one end of the clip
body is connected to bottom surface of the cushion body.
6. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle as· claimed m any of the
preceding claims wherein the extended part forming another end of the
clip body comprises a longitudinal member having a tappered section at.
the end facilitating insertion of the clip into the mating part ..
7. A .single structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein
the ·length of the extended part is optimized to be sufficient for
assembling the cushion clip body.
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8. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed in any of the
. preceding claims wherein the extended part in connection with the
cushion body is shorter than the other extended part.
9. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims wherein the extended parts are in alignment with· each
other.
10. A single structured cushion clip for vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims is associated with the advantageous features such as
herein described.