One-piece wire retainer clip with expandable fastener for securing

Abstract

A one-piece molded plastic wire retainer clip, comprising first and second sections joined by a flexible hinge, is provided for supporting flexible, axially shiftable insulated electric wires on an automobile steering column. The first section comprises a first base member having a pair of upwardly projecting resilient bifurcated legs defining a slot having an opening for receiving wires laterally inserted thereinto. A hollow expandable fastener projects downwardly from the first base member for insertion into a mounting hole in the steering column. The second section comprises a second base member having a closure plate supported thereon which has an aperture for receiving the free ends of the legs. When the first section is swung from unlatched to latched position, the closure plate blocks the slot opening and secures the wires in the slot. First latches on the two base members and second latches on the legs and closure plate maintain the closure plate in blocking position. Screw-receiving holes in the two base plates align with the fastener bore when the two sections are in latched position to enable a screw to be inserted thereto to effect fastener expansion to secure the clip to the steering column and to maintain the base members in latched position. The screw also secures a protective shroud to the steering column.