Hole cover

Abstract

A hole cover mountable in a hole in a panel without exceeding the specified value for the insertion load, and which is capable of remaining secure after mounting. The relative movement between locking claws and a panel from the start of the hole cover insertion until mounting is complete is indicated by the movement strokes upward from a reference line R on the panel. The magnitude of the insertion load with respect to each stroke is determined by the shapes of the respective inclined surfaces. The peak load-generating stroke position (dash-dot-dot line) at the time of panel insertion is controlled by giving the inclined surfaces on the locking claws of the hole cover different shapes, thereby keeping the insertion load peak value for the hole cover product as a whole within the specified value for the insertion load.

1 . A hole cover comprising a flange and a main body that extends downward from the flange and has an engaging and locking portion, which hole cover is adapted to close a hole in a panel by insertion of the main body into the hole in the panel and fastening of the main body to the panel with the flange and the engaging and locking portion, wherein the engaging and locking portion comprises a plurality of locking claws which are provided on an outside surface of the main body and are configured so as to, during insertion of the main body, come into contact with an edge of the hole in the panel and deflect inward, the plurality of locking claws being composed of a plurality of different types of locking claws, which plurality of types of locking claws have insertion load peak values at the time of insertion that differ temporally. 
     
     
         2 . The hole cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking claws have inclined surfaces that contact the edge of the hole in the panel during insertion and the different types of locking claws have inclined surfaces of different shapes, by which means the insertion load peak values at the time of insertion differ temporally. 
     
     
         3 . The hole cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of locking claws are comprised up of two locking claws of each of two types. 
     
     
         4 . The hole cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of locking claws are comprised up of two locking claws of each of three types. 
     
     
         5 . The hole cover according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of locking claws are arranged in such a way that the locking claws of the same type are each disposed at opposing positions on a diagonal across a center of the main body. 
     
     
         6 . The hole cover according to  claim 2 , wherein the main body has a longitudinal wall suspended downward from a center portion of the flange, the locking claws protrude upward and outward from a bottom end of the longitudinal wall, and the inclined surfaces are included on peripheral surfaces of the locking claws. 
     
     
         7 . The hole cover according to  claim 6 , wherein the outermost protruding portions of the inclined surfaces on the locking claws of different types have different heights from the bottom end of the longitudinal wall.