WO2018237365A1

WO2018237365A1 - Nut fastening clamp and nut fastening clamp assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018237365A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/039171
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhilin Li
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2017-06-23
Filing date: 2018-06-22
Publication date: 2018-12-27

Abstract

Nut clamp comprising a base plate (102); a sleeve (140) extending through the base plate; a first holding arm (110) extending downwardly from a first side of the base plate; a second holding arm (120) extending downwardly from second side of the base plate, the first side and the second side being disposed on opposite sides of the base plate; a first biasing arm (113) extending outwardly and upwardly from a lower end of the first holding arm so as to form an angle with the first holding arm; a second biasing arm (123) extending outwardly and upwardly from a lower end of the second holding arm so as to form an angle with the second holding arm, wherein the connection between the first biasing arm and the lower end of the first holding arm and/or the connection between the second biasing arm and the lower end of the second holding arm forms a transition region (119,126) of a reduced thickness.

Description

NUT FASTENING CLAMP AND NUT FASTENING CLAMP ASSEMBLY

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to China application

Nos. 201710488143.5 and 201720743528.7, each of which was filed on June 23, 2017 and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to a panel clamp, and in particular to a clamp assembly that is adjustable in length between two panels by receiving a screw, bolt, or other attachment means.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the automotive industry, it is often necessary to fix fittings in which the fixing point is at a distance from the mounting point and the fixing operation will be performed without changing the above-mentioned distance. For example, a device for fixing an accessory such as a vehicle roof rack to a ceiling of a vehicle requires a fixed distance between the floor of the roof of the vehicle and the panel to prevent the panel from being collapsed when the accessory is fixed. The clamps suitable for such applications are usually length-adjustable nut clamping clip assemblies, which comprise a clamp fixed on one panel and a bolt threaded in the clamp; the length of the entire clamp assembly can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the screw bolted into the clamp. Since it is necessary to adjust the length of the screw bolted into the clamp, the clamp should remain relatively fixed so as not to rotate or shake with the rotation of the bolt. One type of clamp used in the prior art is to put a plastic-made buckle around a metal-made cylinder to fasten the clamp to the panel. However, such clamps are not only complicated in structure but also costly. Since a large number of such clamp assemblies are usually used on a car, the accumulated clamp costs have a great influence on the overall cost of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] This application is intended to solve the above technical problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a nut clamp with a simple structure and a reduced cost.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present application, the present application provides a nut clamp comprising a base plate, the base plate comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; a sleeve, the sleeve extending through the base plate, the sleeve comprising an upper opening at an upper surface of the base plate and a lower opening at a lower surface of the base plate; a first holding arm extending downwardly from a first side of the base plate; a second holding arm extending downwardly from second side of the base plate, the first side and the second side being disposed on opposite sides of the base plate; a first biasing arm extending outwardly and upwardly from a lower end of the first holding arm so as to form an angle with the first holding arm; a second biasing arm extending outwardly and upwardly from a lower end of the second holding arm so as to form an angle with the second holding arm, wherein the connection between the first biasing arm and the lower end of the first holding arm and/or the connection between the second biasing arm and the lower end of the second holding arm forms a transition region of a reduced thickness.

[0006] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, an angle setting between the first biasing arm and the first holding arm, and an angle setting between the second biasing arm and the second holding arm are such that the distance between the top of the first biasing arm and the inside of the top of the second biasing arm is greater than the length of a hole of the panel so that, after the first holding arm and the second holding arm are inserted into the hole of the panel, the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm can abut against the lower surface of the panel.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the nut clamp further comprises: a third side and a fourth side; wherein the third side and the fourth side are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the base plate, and are adjacent to the first side and the second side; the width between the third side and the fourth side is greater than the width of the top end of the first holding arm and the top of the second holding arm; the top end of the first biasing arm and the top end of the second biasing arm are lower than the lower surface of the base plate.

[0008] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the first holding arm and the second holding arm respectively have an upward U shape; the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm respectively extend outward and upward from the upwardly open U-shaped bottom.

[0009] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, it further comprises: a first release operation portion disposed at an upper portion of the first biasing arm; a second release operation portion disposed at an upper portion of the second biasing arm, wherein the top end of the first release operation portion and the top end of the second release operation portion are closer to the sleeve than the top ends of the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm, respectively.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion are configured such that when the nut clamp is installed in the hole of the panel, the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion can be operated through the hole from above the panel, so that the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm are deflected toward each other inward.

[0011] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion are arms formed from the upper portion of the first biasing arm and the upper portion of the second biasing arm extending upwardly and inwardly, respectively.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the top end of the first release operation portion and the top end of the second release operation portion are higher than the lower surface of the base plate.

[0013] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the upper portion of the first biasing arm and the upper portion of the second biasing arm respectively have a U-shaped structure; a first release operation portion is formed to extend upwards and inwardly from a bottom of a U- shaped structure in an upper portion of the first biasing arm; a second release operation portion is formed to extend upwards and inwardly from a bottom of a U-shaped structure in an upper portion of the second biasing arm.

[0014] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion are concaves formed from the upper portion of the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm extending inwardly, respectively.

[0015] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, it further comprises a holding protrusion extending from the first side and the second side of the base plate for the first holding arm and the first holding arm, for holding the nut clamp on the panel by cooperating with the first holding arm and the second holding arm.

[0016] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the nut clamp is integrally formed.

[0017] According to the above-mentioned first aspect, the nut clamp is stamped and formed from a sheet metal.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present application, the present application provides a nut clamp assembly comprising: a nut clamp according to the first aspect of the present application, wherein the sleeve inner surface of the nut clamp is provided with a thread; and a bolt that can be screwed in or out of the sleeve.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present application, the bolt has a receiving channel, the bolt being received in the sleeve from a lower opening of the sleeve; when the height of the nut clamp assembly is adjusted, a fastening driving tool can be extended into the receiving channel of the bolt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1A is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of a nut clamp according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure IB is an enlarged view of the portion of the area A in Figure 1 A;

[0022] Figure 2A is a schematic side view of the nut clamp shown in Figure 1 A;

[0023] Figure 2B is a top view of the nut clamp shown in Figure 1 A when mounted on a panel;

[0024] Figure 2C is a side view of the nut clamp shown in Figure 1 A when mounted on a panel;

[0025] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of a nut clamp assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the nut clamp assembly and the panel shown in Figure 3;

[0027] Figure 5A is a three-dimensional schematic structural perspective view of the nut clamp assembly shown in Figure 3 when mounted on a panel;

[0028] Figure 5B is a three-dimensional schematic structural bottom view of the nut clamp assembly shown in Figure 3 when mounted on a panel;

[0029] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of a nut clamp according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of a nut clamp according to yet another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0031] Various embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification. It should be understood that although terms indicating directions are used in the present application, such as "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", and other various example structures and elements of the present application, but these terms are used herein for purposes of illustration only and are based on the exemplary orientation shown in the figures. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be set in different directions, these terms indicating directions are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numerals used in this application refer to the same parts.

[0032] Figure 1A is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of a nut clamp according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure IB is a partial enlarged view of area A in Figure 1 A.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1 A, the nut clamp 100 comprises a base plate 102, a sleeve

140, a first holding arm 110 and a second holding arm 120 on both sides of the base plate 102, and a first biasing arm 113 and a second biasing arm 123 disposed on the first holding arm 110 and the second holding arm 120.

[0034] The base plate 102 comprises an upper surface 151 and a lower surface 152.

The base plate 102 is roughly square and has four sides, namely, an opposing first side 145 (right side) and a second side 147 (left side), and an opposing third side 131 (back side) and fourth side 132 (front side). The sleeve 140 extends through the base plate 102, comprising an upper opening 141 in an upper surface 151 of the base plate 102 and a lower opening 143 in a lower surface 152 of the base plate 102. Certainly, the square shape is only an exemplary shape of the base plate 102, and the base plate in any other shape is also within the protection scope of the present application.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1 A, the first holding arm 110 and the second holding arm

120 extend downward from the first side 145 and the second side 147 of the base plate 102, respectively. The right first holding arm 110 is conveniently seen from the perspective shown in

Figure 1 A. As an example of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 A, the structure of the left second holding arm 120 is the same as that of the first holding arm 110. In the following, the first holding arm 110 is taken as an example to illustrate the structure of two holding arms. The first holding arm

110 is a U-shaped structure that is open upward, and the U-shaped structure is hollow and has a bottom at the lower end 118 of the first holding arm 110. The first biasing arm 113 extends outwardly and upwardly from the lower end 118 of the first holding arm 110. As one example, a first biasing arm 113 and extending from the bottom of the U-shaped first holding arm 110 outwardly; certainly, the first biasing arm 113 may not extend from the bottom of the U-shaped structure begins, but extend from a side of the lower end 118 of the first holding arm 110. The connection of the first biasing arm 113 with the first holding arm 110 is elastic such that the first biasing arm 113 can be deflected inwardly toward the first holding arm 110. The hollow structure of the U-shaped first holding arm 110 can be used for accommodating the first holding arm 110 deflected inward by a certain angle. Certainly, the first holding arm 110 may not be a U -shaped structure as long as the first holding arm 110 is provided with a hollow portion to be able to accommodate the inwardly deflected first biasing arm 113 to some extent.

[0036] Still as shown in Figure 1 A, the nut clamp 100 further comprises a first release operation portion 116, and the first release operation portion 116 is disposed at an upper portion of the first biasing arm 113. As an example, the first release operation portion 116 is an arm formed by extending upward and inward from the upper portion of the first biasing arm 113, and may also be referred to as a first release operation arm 116. As an example, the upper portion of the first biasing arm 113 has a U-shaped structure, and the first releasing operation arm 116 extends out from the bottom of the U-shaped structure. The top of the first biasing arm 113 is the end of the U-shaped structure, so that the ends of the U-shaped structure form two abutting ends 113a and 113b. After the clamp 100 is inserted into the panel 210 (Figure 4), the first biasing arm 113 abuts the abutting ends 113a and 113b of the panel 210 to prevent the lower surface of the clamp 100 from being pulled out from the panel 210. Certainly, the upper portion of the first biasing arm 113 may not have a U-shaped structure, and only one abutting end may be formed. The first release operation arm 116 may not extend out from the bottom of the U-shaped structure but may extend from the side of the upper portion of the first biasing arm 113.

[0037] The second holding arm 120 has the same structure as the first holding arm

110, and is symmetrically disposed with respect to the center line C of the first holding arm 110 with respect to the clamp 100. A second biasing arm 123 extending outwards and upwards is also disposed at the lower end 127 of the second holding arm 120. An upper portion of the second biasing arm 123 is provided with a second releasing operation arm 125 extending upwardly and inwardly. The second bias arm 123 and the second release operation arm 125 respectively have the same structure as the first biasing arm 113 and the first release operation arm 116 and, with the first biasing arm 113 and the first release operation arm 116, respectively are symmetrically disposed with respect to the center line C of the fastening clamp 100.

[0038] As shown in the enlarged view of area A in Figure 1 A as shown in Figure IB, a thinned transition area 119 is formed at the junction of the lower end 118 of the first holding arm 110 and the first biasing arm 113. Similarly, a thinned transition area 126 may also be formed at the junction of the lower end 127 of the second holding arm 120 and the second biasing arm 123. The thinned transition area 119 and the thinned transition 126 are such that the material thickness at the connection of the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 with the corresponding first holding arm 110 and the second holding arm 120 is smaller than the material thickness of the other parts. This can increase the elasticity of the joint so that the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 are more easily biased inward. Since the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 are more easily biased inward, the clamp 100 can be more easily inserted into the panel 210. Certainly, only one of the transition area 119 between the first holding arm 110 and the first biasing arm 113 and the transition area 126 between the second holding arm 120 and the second biasing arm 123 may be thinned. This also enables the clamp 100 to be inserted into the panel 210 more easily.

[0039] According to one example of the present application, the nut clamp 100 is integrally formed by stamping from a metal sheet. For such a nut clamp 100 which is integrally formed by stamping of metal sheets, the material thicknesses of the respective parts are substantially uniform. By providing the above-mentioned thinned transition area, the thickness of the material at the connection between the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 and the corresponding first holding arm 110 and the second holding arm 120 is smaller than that of other portions, thereby increasing the elasticity of the joint, making it easier for the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 to be biased inward.

[0040] The nut clamp 100 integrally formed by stamping of a metal sheet has a large structural strength, a brief introduction of a processing process, and a high production efficiency. However, the nut clamp 100 may also be made of elastic plastic or other materials, and inward biasing of the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 may also be made easier by providing a thinned transition area, which are within the scope of the present application.

[0041] Figure 2A is a side view of a nut clamp shown in Figure 1; and Figure 2B is a nut clamp shown in Figure 1 mounted on a plan view when the panel 210; Figure 2C is a side view of a nut clamp mounted on the panel 210 as shown in Figure 1.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2A, the first biasing arm 113 forms an included angle al with the first holding arm 110, and the second biasing arm 123 forms an included angle a2 with the second holding arm 120. As one example, the angle al and the angle a2 are substantially the same. The al angle setting between the first biasing arm 113 and the first holding arm 110, and the a2 angle setting between the second biasing arm 123 and the second holding arm 120 can make the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 to open outwards without being forced from the first holding arm 1 13 and the second holding arm 120, so that a space LI is formed between the inner sides of the abutting ends 113 a and 113 b of the first biasing arm 113 and the inner sides of the abutting ends 123 a and 123 b of the second biasing arm 123. The heights of the top ends (i.e., abutting ends) of the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 are lower than the lower surface 152 of the base plate 102 so as to be at the tops of the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123. The lower surface 152 of the base plate 102 forms a pitch HI . In addition, the heights of the tips of the first release operation arm 116 and the second release operation arm 125 exceed the height of the lower surface 152 of the base plate 102. There is a space L3 between the top outer side of the first release operation arm 116 and the second release operation arm 125. However, there is a space L4 between the outside of the first holding arm 110 and the second holding arm 120 (as shown in Figure 2C).

[0043] As shown in Figure 2B, there is a width Wl between the third side 131 and the fourth side 132 of the base plate 102 of the nut clamp 100. The widest width of the first holding arm 110 or the second holding arm 120 is W2. As one example, the width of the top end of the first holding arm 110 and the top end of the second holding arm 120 is the widest width W2, respectively. The hole 211 of the panel 210 has a width W3 (as shown in Figure 4).

[0044] As shown in Figure 2C, the nut clamp 100 is inserted from above the panel

210 into the hole 211 of the panel 210 (the hole 211 can be seen more clearly in Figure 4); after the insertion action is completed, the base plate 102 of the nut clamp 100 is located above the panel 210, and the first and second biasing arms 113 and 123 are located below the panel 210. In order to allow the nut clamp 100 to be inserted into the hole 211 of the panel 210, the spacing L4 between the outside of the first holding arm 110 and the second holding arm 120 is set to be smaller than the length L2 of the hole 211 of the panel 210, and the widest width W2 of the first holding arm 110 or the second holding arm 120 is set to be smaller than the width W3 of the hole 211 of the panel 210. In order to prevent rotation of the nut clamp 100 after being inserted into the hole 211 relative to the panel 210, the top end of the first holding arm 110 and the top end of the second holding arm 120 are set to be the widest, and the width W2 thereof is close to that of the hole 211; the width W3 is only slightly smaller than the width W3 of the hole 211. In addition, in order to make the base plate 102 of the nut clamp 100 above the panel 210 after the insertion operation is completed, the width Wl between the third side 131 and the fourth side 132 of the base plate 102 is set larger than the width W3 of the hole 211 of the panel 210. In addition, the space LI between the insides of the abutting ends 113 a and 113 b of the first biasing arm 113 and the insides of the abutting ends 123 a and 123b of the second biasing arm 123 is greater than the length L2 of the hole 211 of the panel 210. Thus, after the hole 211 of the nut 210 inserted into the clamp panel 100, a first biasing arm 113 abuts the end 113a and 113b, and the abutting ends 123 a and 123b of the second biasing arm 123 can abut against the lower surface of the panel 210 to fix the nut clamp 100 in the panel 210.

[0045] The height difference HI between the top end of the first biasing arm 113 and the top end (i.e., the abutting end) of the second biasing arm 123 and the bottom surface 152 of the base plate 102 is set to match the thickness of the panel 210 so that, after the first holding arm 110 and the second holding arm 120 are inserted into the hole 211 of the panel 210, the panel 210 can be accommodated between the top of the first biasing arm 113 and the top of the second biasing arm 123 and the base plate 120. As one example, the height difference HI between the top end of the first biasing arm 113 and the top end of the second biasing arm 123 and the bottom surface 152 of the base plate 102 is slightly greater than the thickness of the panel 210.

[0046] In addition, the space L3 between the top of the first release operation arm 116 and the top outside of the second release operation arm 125 is smaller than the length L2 of the hole 211 of the panel 210. Since the height of the top of the first release operation arm 116 and the top of the second release operation arm 125 exceeds the height of the bottom surface 152 of the base plate 102, and after the clamp 100 is inserted into the panel 210, the panel 210 is located under the base plate 102. Below the surface 152, therefore, after the clamp 100 is inserted into the panel 210, the height of the top end of the first release operation arm 116 and the top end of the second release operation arm 125 is higher than the upper surface of the panel 210. In addition, the distance L3 between the top of the first release operation arm 116 and the top outside of the second release operation arm 125 is smaller than the length L2 of the hole 211 of the panel 210. After the clamp 100 is inserted into the panel 210, the top end of the first release operation arm 116 and the top end of the second release operation arm 125 can protrude upward from the hole 211 of the panel 210 above the panel 210. That is, after the clamp 100 is inserted into the panel 210, it can be seen from above the panel 210 that the first release operation arm 116 and the second release operation arm 125 are located in the hole 211.

[0047] The process of mounting the clamp 100 into the hole 211 of the panel 210 is as follows. Since the length L2 of the hole 211 is smaller than the interval LI between the top ends of the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123, the widthwise side of the hole 211 when the nut clamp 100 is inserted downward into the hole 211, the sides force the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 to deflect inward. After the top of the first biasing arm 113 and the top of the second biasing arm 123 pass through the hole 211, the first biasing arm 113 and the elastic force of the second biasing arm 123 is deflected outward by the elastic force so that the top end of the first biasing arm 113 and the top end of the second biasing arm 123 (i.e., the abutting end) can abut against the lower surface of the panel 210.

[0048] When the nut clamp 100 is installed in place in the hole 211 of the panel 210, the base plate 102 of the nut clamp 100 is located above the panel 210, and the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 are located below the panel 210, and it abuts against the lower surface of panel 210 by its end. Thus, the panel 210 is sandwiched between the base plate 102 of the nut clamp 100 and the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123, so that the nut clamp 100 is firmly mounted in the hole 211 of the panel 210. The top end of the first release operation arm 116 and the top end of the second release operation arm 125 extend up from the hole 210 of the panel 211 to above the panel 210.

[0049] When it is required to remove the clamp 100 from the panel 210, the height and the spacing of the top end of the first release operation arm 116 and the top of the second release operation arm 125 can be set out of the hole 211. The first release operation arm 116 and the second release operation arm 125 may be pressed toward each other with a tool or a hand on the side of the upper surface of the panel 210. Thus, they are deflected toward each other toward the inner side, thereby causing the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 to be deflected toward each other inward. As the first biasing arm 113 and the second biasing arm 123 deflect toward the inside toward each other, the distance between the top of the first biasing arm 113 and the top of the second biasing arm 123 will become smaller. When the distance between the top end of the arm 113 and the top outside of the second biasing arm 123 becomes smaller than the length L2 of the hole 211 of the panel 210, the nut clamp 100 can be pulled out of the hole 211 of the panel 210.

[0050] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structural schematic view of a nut clamp assembly 300 having the nut clamp 100 shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the nut clamp assembly 300 shown in Figure 3 with the panel 210 also shown. Figures. 5A and 5B are three- dimensional structural schematic views of the nut clamp assembly 300 shown in Figure 3 when installed on the panel 210, respectively.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the nut clamp assembly 300 comprises a nut clamp 100 and a bolt 320. The inner surface of the sleeve 140 of the nut clamp 100 is provided with a thread (not shown in the figure). The outer surface of the bolt 320 is provided with an outer thread 322. The bolt 320 can be screwed in or unscrewed from the lower opening 143 of the sleeve 140. The sleeve 140 adjusts the length of the nut clamp assembly 300 as a whole.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4, 5A, and 5B, as one embodiment, the bolt 320 has a receiving channel 421 extending along its length. When it is desired to adjust the height of the nut clamp assembly 300, the fastening drive tool may extend from the upper opening 141 of the sleeve 140 into the receiving channel 421 of the bolt. By adjustment of the screwing depth of the bolt 320 in the nut clamp 100 with the tightening driving tool, the height (or length) of the nut clamp assembly 300 can be adjusted. In fact, the bolt 320 can also be solid, with a cross, a flat-head, or any other groove that facilitates the use of a tool to be screwed on its upper end, and the bolt 320 can also be turned using a corresponding screwdriver.

[0053] One application of the length-adjustable nut clamp assembly 300 is where there is a need to maintain a spacing between two mounting plates. By adjusting the depth to which the bolt 320 is screwed in the sleeve 140 of the nut clamp 100, the length of the entire nut clamp assembly 300 can be adjusted so that different spacings can be accommodated.

[0054] For example, a vehicle roof has two panels, a lower bearing plate and an upper veneer, with a certain spacing between the two panels. When installing the luggage rack or other heavy objects on the roof of the vehicle, it is necessary to install the luggage rack or other heavy objects on the two panels at the same time to ensure the structural strength of the installation. When using the nut clamp assembly 300 of the present application to mount the roof rack to the ceiling of the vehicle, first, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the nut clamp assembly 300 is first fixed on the panel 210 in the upper portion through the nut clamp 100; then, by adjusting the depth of the bolt 320 screwed in sleeve 140 of the nut clamp 100, the head 523 (shown in Figure 5B) of the bolt 320 can be brought against the lower bearing plate (not shown). Since as described above, after the nut clamp 100 is installed in the hole 211 of the panel 210, it cannot move relative to the panel 210 up, down, back and forth, left and right, nor can it rotate relative to the panel 210. Therefore, after the nut clamp assembly 300 is fastened to one of the panels 210 through the nut clamp 100, inserting the driving tool from the upper opening 141 of the sleeve 140 rotates the bolt 320 relative to the nut clamp 100, so that the head 523 of the bolt 320 just comes into contact with the lower bearing plate; thus, the length of the nut clamp assembly 300 adapts to and maintains the spacing between two panels. After the length of the nut clamp assembly 300 is adjusted, the mounting hole on the luggage rack is aligned with the receiving channel 421 of the bolt 320, and then one end of the fixing screw (not shown) is inserted into the mounting hole in the luggage rack and the receiving channel 421 of the bolt 320. After the insertion end of the fixing screw is passed through the receiving channel 421 of the bolt 320, a fastening nut (not shown) is screwed on the insertion end, and the luggage rack can be tightly mounted. By using a plurality of height-adjustable nut clamp assemblies 300 to maintain the spacing between the two panels, the upper veneer panel will not be collapsed when the luggage rack is secured to the vehicle roof with the fastening screw.

[0055] Figure 6 shows a structural view of a nut clamp 600 of another embodiment of the present application. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 except that the first biasing arm 613 and the second biasing arm (covered up in Figure 6) and the first release operation portion 616 and the second release operation portion (covered up in Figure 6) are different from those in the first embodiment. The second biasing arm and the second release operation portion have the same structure as the first biasing arm 613 and the first release operation portion 616, respectively. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, neither the upper portion of the first biasing arm 613 nor the upper portion of the second biasing arm is provided with a bifurcation of a U-shaped structure; thus, the upper portion of the first biasing arm 613 and the upper portion of the second biasing arm respectively have only one abutting end for engaging with the lower surface of the panel. In addition, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first release operation portion 616 and the second release operation portion are still arm-shaped structures extending inward and upward from upper portions of the first biasing arm 613 and the second biasing arm. However, they also bend inwardly while extending inwardly from the upper portions of the first biasing arm 613 and the second biasing arm. This arrangement may allow the abutting end of the first biasing arm 613 and the second biasing arm to better abut against the lower surface of the panel 210. [0056] In addition, as shown in Figure 6, the base plate 602 is further provided with holding protrusions 621, 622, 623, and 624. The holding protrusions 621, 622, 623, and 624 extend outward from the first side 145 and the second side 147, respectively, and are located in the hollow portions of the first holding arm 610 and the second holding arm 620. After insertion of the nut clamp 600 into the hole 211 of the panel 210, the holding protrusions 621, 622, 623, and 624 are located above the panel. The protrusions 601, 602, 603, and 604 are kept cooperating with the first biasing arm 613 and the second biasing arm to better retain the nut clamp 600 on the panel. Certainly, the nut clamp 100 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 may also be provided a similar holding protrusion portion.

[0057] Figure 7 shows a structure of a nut clamp 700 according to a further embodiment of the present application with a bolt 320 therein.

[0058] The embodiment shown in Figure 7 is similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 except that the first biasing arm 713 and the second biasing arm (covered up in Figure 6) and the first release operation portion 716 and the second release operation portion (covered up in Figure 6) are different from those in the first embodiment. The second biasing arm and the second release operation portion have the same structure as the first biasing arm 713 and the first release operation portion 716, respectively. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the upper portion of the first biasing arm 713 and the upper portion of the second biasing arm are not provided with a bifurcation of the U-shaped structure. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first release operation portion 716 and the second release operation portion are not arm-shaped structures, but notches formed extending inwardly at the upper portion of the first biasing arm 713 and the upper portion of the second biasing arm, respectively. For the embodiment shown in Figure 7, after the nut clamp 700 is installed in the hole of the panel, the first release operation portion 718 and the second release operation portion 725, like the upper portion of the first biasing arm 713 and the upper portion of the second biasing arm, are located below the panel. However, the notch shapes of the first release operation portion 716 and the second release operation portion can be seen through the through hole above the panel. Therefore, when it is necessary to remove the nut clamp 700 of this structure from the panel 210, it is necessary to use a tool to pass through the hole from above the panel so as to project into the notch shape of the first release operation portion 716 and the second release operation portion. As a result, an inward biasing force is applied to the first release operation portion 716 and the second release operation portion. In addition, holding protrusion portions 721, 722, 723, and 724 similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 6 may also be provided in the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0059] Due to the above-mentioned structure design, the nut clamp of the present application makes it not only easy to install, but also can be more firmly held in the panel, so that it is more conducive to adjusting the screwing depth of the bolt in the nut clamp for adjusting the length of the nut clamp assembly. In addition, the nut clamp of the present application is also designed to be conveniently detached from the panel when needed, and the mounting panel will not be damaged when disassembled. A nut clamp of the present application has a simple and compact structure and is easy to be integrally formed. Therefore, it can facilitate industrial production and reduce production costs.

[0060] Although the present application will be described with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the nut clamp and nut clamp assembly of the present application may have many change forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that there are different ways to change the parameters in the disclosed embodiments of the present application, which should fall within the spirit and scope of the present application and the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A nut clamp comprising: a base plate comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; a sleeve extending through the base plate, the sleeve comprising an upper opening in the upper surface of the base plate and a lower opening in the lower surface of the base plate; a first holding arm extending downwardly from a first side of the base plate; a second holding arm extending downwardly from a second side of the base plate, the first side and the second side being disposed on opposite sides of the base plate; a first biasing arm extending outwardly and upwardly from a lower end of the first holding arm, thereby forming an angle (al) with the first holding arm; and a second biasing arm extending outwardly and upwardly from a lower end of the second holding arm, thereby forming an angle (a2) with the second holding arm; wherein at least one of a junction between the first biasing arm and the lower end of the first holding arm forms a thinned transition region or a junction between the second biasing arm and the lower end of the second holding arm forms a thinned transition zone.

2. The nut clamp of claim 1, wherein an angle setting between the first biasing arm and the first holding arm and an angle setting between the second biasing arm and the second holding arm are such that a distance (LI) between a top of the first biasing arm and an inside of a top of the second biasing arm is greater than a length of a hole of the panel so that, after the first holding arm and the second holding arm are inserted into the hole of the panel, the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm can abut against a lower surface of the panel.

3. The nut clamp assembly of claim 2, further comprising: a third side and a fourth side; wherein the third side and the fourth side are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the base plate and are adjacent to the first side and the second side; wherein a width (L3) between the third side and the fourth side is larger than a top of the first holding arm and a width (L4) of a top of the second holding arm; and wherein the top of the first biasing arm and the top of the second biasing arm are lower than the bottom surface of the base plate.

4. The nut clamp of claim 1, wherein: the first holding arm and the second holding arm are U-shaped with an upward opening, respectively; and the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm extend outward and upward, respectively, from the upwardly open U-shaped bottom.

5. The nut clamp of claim 1, further compri a first release operation portion disposed at an upper portion of the first biasing arm; and a second release operation portion disposed at an upper portion of the first biasing arm; and wherein a top end of the first release operation portion and a top end of the second release operation portion are respectively closer to the sleeve than the top end of the first biasing arm and the top end of the second biasing arm.

6. The nut clamp of claim 5, wherein the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion are configured such that when the nut clamp is installed in the hole of the panel, the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion can be operated through the hole from above the panel, so that the first biasing arm and the second biasing arm are deflected toward each other inward.

7. The nut clamp of claim 5, wherein the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion are arms formed from the upper portion of the first biasing arm and the upper portion of the second biasing arm extends upwardly and inwardly.

8. The nut clamp of claim 7, wherein the top end of the first release operation portion and the top end of the second release operation portion are higher than the lower surface of the base plate.

9. The nut clamp of claim 7, wherein the upper portion of the first biasing arm and the upper portion of the second biasing arm respectively have a U-shaped structure; a first release operation portion is formed to extend upward and inward from the bottom of the U-shaped structure of the upper portion of the first biasing arm; and a second release operation portion is formed to extend upward and inward from the bottom of the U-shaped structure of the upper portion of the second biasing arm.

10. The nut clamp of claim 5, wherein the first release operation portion and the second release operation portion are concaves formed from the upper portion of the first biasing arm and the upper portion of the second biasing arm, respectively, extending inwardly.

11. The nut clamp of claim 5, further comprising: holding protrusions extending from the first side and the second side of the base plate to cooperate with the first holding arm and the second holding arm to hold the nut clamp on the panel.

12. The nut clamp of claim 1, wherein the nut clamp is integrally formed.

13. The nut clamp of claim 12, wherein the nut clamp is stamped and formed from a sheet metal.

14. A nut clamp assembly comprising: the nut clamp according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is provided with a thread; and a bolt, the bolt capable of being screwed into or out of the sleeve.

15. The nut clamp assembly of claim 14, wherein the bolt comprises a receiving channel, the bolt being received in the sleeve from a lower opening of the sleeve so that when the height of the nut clamp assembly is adjusted, a fastening driving tool can be extended into the receiving channel of the bolt.