U.S. patent application number 10/858497 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for sill plate retainer.
Invention is credited to Steven M. Benedetti, Rosalind Nessel.
Application Number | 20070000102 10/858497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37667422 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000102 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Nessel; Rosalind ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
Sill plate retainer
Abstract
A resilient clip is provided for engaging a dog house coupling
feature of a trim component. The resilient clip has a mating member
for engaging a hole defined in a body panel. The resilient clip
includes a triangular mating feature that is positioned relative to
the coupling region. The triangular mating feature contacts at
least one surface of the dog house structure to minimize rotation
of the resilient clip with respect the to the dog house. This
reduces rotation of the resilient clip with respect to the hole
defined in the body panel.
Inventors: |
Nessel; Rosalind;
(Birmingham, MI) ; Benedetti; Steven M.; (Sterling
Heights, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20040244160 A1 |
December 9, 2004 |
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Family ID: |
37667422 |
Appl. No.: |
10/858497 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10829103 |
Apr 21, 2004 |
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10858497 |
Jun 1, 2004 |
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10842355 |
May 10, 2004 |
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10858497 |
Jun 1, 2004 |
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60476745 |
Jun 6, 2003 |
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60469438 |
May 9, 2003 |
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60474833 |
May 30, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/591.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 21/09 20130101;
F16B 5/0657 20130101; Y10T 24/45225 20150115; Y10T 24/309
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/591.1 |
International
Class: |
A44B 1/04 20060101
A44B001/04 |
Claims
1. A fastener for coupling a component having a dog house
engagement feature to a sheetmetal aperture defined by a sheet of
metal comprising: a body portion having a locking portion
configured to be mated with the sheetmetal aperture, said body
portion having a dog house engagement portion; the dog house
engagement portion defining a triangular engagement flange coupled
to the body portion, the dog house engagement portion defining a
cylindrical portion having cylindrical portion centerline, the
cylindrical portion operable for insertion into a circular dog
house aperture defined by the dog house, the engagement flange
being configured to follow the cylindrical portion and protrude
from the circular doghouse aperture to contact an engagement
surface defined on the dog house so as to minimize rotation of the
body with respect to the dog house, said engagement surface
adjoining the doghouse aperture, wherein the triangular engagement
flange defining at least one surface being parallel to the
cylindrical portion centerline.
2. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises an
umbrella member coupled to the dog house engagement portion, the
umbrella member being configured to fluidly seal the sheetmetal
aperture.
3. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein the locking portion
comprises a plurality of deformable members, each member defining a
tooth configured to engage the sheetmetal aperture.
4. The fastener according to claim 3 wherein the deformable members
are coupled to an umbrella member.
5. The fastener according to claim 3 wherein the deformable members
are coupled to a wedged-shaped portion.
6. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein the engagement flange
is configured to couple with a triangular insertion slot defined by
the dog house.
7. The fastener according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling
flange disposed between the cylindrical portion and the triangular
engagement flange.
8. (canceled)
9. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein the dog house
engagement portion is coupled to an umbrella portion.
10. (canceled)
11. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein the body portion
comprises a support member configured to limit the insertion of the
fastener into the dog house aperture.
12. The fastener according to claim 9 wherein the umbrella portion
defines a generally oval base and an oval deformable portion.
13. A fastener for coupling a flanged component to a sheetmetal
aperture defined by a sheet of metal comprising: a body portion
having a locking portion configured to be mated with the sheetmetal
aperture, said body portion having a dog house engagement portion;
the dog house engagement portion comprising a cylindrical portion,
having a cylindrical portion centerline, said cylindrical portion
operable to couple with a circular dog house aperture defined by a
dog house, a triangular engagement member coupled to the body
portion, said triangular engagement member having a pair of
engagement surfaces which are parallel to the centerline, at least
one of the engagement surfaces is configured to protrude from the
dog house aperture to contact a surface of the dog house so as to
minimize rotation of the body with respect to the dog house, said
surface of the dog house adjoining the dog house aperture.
14. The fastener according to claim 13 wherein the body comprises
an umbrella member coupled to the dog house engagement portion, the
umbrella member being configured to fluidly seal the sheetmetal
aperture.
15. The fastener according to claim 13 wherein the locking portion
comprises a plurality of deformable members, each member defining a
tooth configured to engage the sheetmetal aperture.
16. The fastener according to claim 15 wherein the deformable
members are coupled to an umbrella member.
17. The fastener according to claim 15 wherein the deformable
members are coupled to a wedged-shaped portion.
18. The fastener according to claim 13 wherein the engagement
surfaces are configured to couple with a triangular insertion slot
defined in a dog house.
19. The fastener according to claim 18 wherein the triangular
engagement member has a pair of flat intersecting bearing
surfaces.
20. (canceled)
21. The fastener according to claim 13 wherein the dog house
engagement portion is coupled to an umbrella portion.
22. The fastener according to claim 13 wherein the locking portion
is a wedge-shaped member defining a plurality of deformable
flanges.
23. The fastener according to claim 13 wherein the body portion
comprises a support member configured to limit the insertion of the
fastener into the sheetmetal aperture.
24. The fastener according to claim 21 wherein the umbrella defines
a generally oval base and an oval deformable portion.
25. A fastener for coupling a component having a dog house
engagement feature to a sheetmetal aperture defined by a sheet of
metal comprising: a body portion having a locking portion
configured to be mated with the sheetmetal aperture, said body
portion having a dog house engagement portion, the body comprises
an umbrella member configured to be coupled to a dog house
engagement portion, the umbrella member being configured to fluidly
seal the sheetmetal aperture; wherein the dog house engagement
portion comprising a cylindrical portion operable to couple with a
circular dog house aperture defined by the dog house, said
cylindrical portion having a cylindrical portion centerline, a
triangular engagement member coupled to the body portion, having a
pair of engagement surfaces, said engagement surface being parallel
to the centerline, at least one of the engagement surfaces is
configured to protrude from the dog house aperture to contact a
surface of the dog house so as to minimize rotation of the body
with respect to the dog house, said surface of the dog house
adjoining the doghouse aperture.
26. The fastener according to claim 25 wherein the locking portion
comprises a plurality of deformable members, each member defining a
tooth configured to engage the sheetmetal aperture.
27. The fastener according to claim 26 wherein the deformable
members are coupled to the umbrella member.
28. An assembly for coupling a component to a sheetmetal aperture
comprising: a dog house defining a cylindrical aperture and a pair
of angled insertion surfaces; a body portion having a locking
portion configured to be mated with the sheetmetal aperture, said
body portion having a dog house engagement portion; the dog house
engagement portion defining an engagement flange coupled to the
body portion, the dog house engagement portion defining a
cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion disposed within the
circular aperture, the engagement flange protruding from the
circular doghouse aperture and in contact with the angled insertion
surfaces so as to minimize rotation of the body with respect to the
dog house.
29. The assembly according to claim 28 wherein the body portion
comprises an umbrella member coupled to the dog house engagement
portion, the umbrella member being configured to fluidly seal the
sheetmetal aperture.
30. The fastener according to claim 28 wherein the locking portion
comprises a plurality of deformable members, each member defining a
tooth configured to engage the sheetmetal aperture.
31. The fastener according to claim 30 wherein the deformable
members are coupled to an umbrella member.
32. The fastener according to claim 30 wherein the deformable
members are coupled to a wedged-shaped portion.
33. The fastener according to claim 28 wherein the engagement
flange engages a triangular insertion slot defined by the pair of
angled insertion surfaces.
34. The fastener according to claim 33 wherein the engagement
flange is a triangular flange.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/476,745, filed on Jun. 6, 2003. The disclosure
of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to resilient clip
fasteners and more particularly to a resilient clip fastener to
secure the body portion of the resilient clip to a structure. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a resilient clip
fastener having a construction that utilizes a plastic body portion
which has a mating portion configures to couple to a dog house
attachment feature of a trim component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many current vehicles employ resilient clips to secure
various components to the vehicle body. One such application
concerns interior panels that mount to the interior of the vehicle
such as on the sill plate moldings. Such panels serve not only to
provide occupants with a convenient point to step during ingress to
and egress from the vehicle, but also provide sealing capabilities
for intrusion of water, dust, and noise.
[0004] During assembly of the vehicle, it is conventional procedure
to install the sill plate panels from the exterior of the vehicle
as it is moving down the assembly line. This operation is common
whether the vehicle is a 2 door or 4 door passenger car.
[0005] In order to accomplish this assembly task, the sill plate
assembly is typically equipped with numerous fasteners, located
along the length of the sill plate panel assembly. The fasteners
are adapted to penetrate through corresponding holes located in the
reinforcing sheet metal members of the vehicle interior. It is the
responsibility of the line operators to properly orient the panel
assembly adjacent the interior of the vehicle and press the
fasteners into the various mounting holes in the reinforcing sheet
metal members to secure the panel assembly to the interior of the
vehicle.
[0006] For aesthetic reasons, the panel fasteners are typically
secured in some fashion to the backside of the panel so that they
are not visible from the interior of the vehicle after the panel
assembly is installed. Consequently, it is often incumbent upon the
line operators to blindly "feel" for the location of the mounting
holes with their fingers before pressing the fasteners into the
holes from the opposite show-surface side of the panel.
[0007] Due to slight misalignments, which can occur between the
fasteners and their corresponding mounting holes, some of the
fasteners may not be properly seated and secured to the sheet
metal. These seating problems often arise from the rotation of the
fastener with respect to a rectangular hole, which essentially
prevents the easy fastening of the trim component to the body.
[0008] Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an improved
fastener having a relatively low installation force and a
relatively high removal force that is relatively more tolerant of
misalignment problems. Ideally, the fastener should be inexpensive
to manufacture, reliable and simple to install. Furthermore, the
fastener should be particularly adapted for securing structures to
one another in a manner, which minimizes vibration, and the
concomitant noise problems that are often associated with such
fasteners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one preferred form, the present invention provides a
resilient clip for engaging a dog house coupling feature of a trim
component and a mating member for engaging a hole defined in a body
panel. The resilient clip includes a body portion having a coupling
region, and a triangular mating feature that is positioned relative
to the coupling region. The triangular mating feature contacts at
least one surface of the dog house structure to prevent rotation of
the resilient clip with respect the to the dog house. This reduces
rotation of the resilient clip with respect to the hole defined in
the body panel. The mating member has a pair of fastening members
configured to engage the sides of the mounting hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Additional advantages and features of the present invention
will become apparent from the subsequent description and the
appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a fastener constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the fastener of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view the fastener of FIG. 1 illustrating the
spacing of the structures in greater detail;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of a fastener constructed in
accordance with the teachings of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the fastener of FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of the fastener of FIG. 5 illustrating
the spacing of the structures in greater detail;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a trim component having a
dog house attachment feature configured to engage the fastener
according to the teachings of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 represents a perspective view of an alternate
fastener according to the teaching of the present invention;
and
[0019] FIG. 9 represents a top view of the fastener shown in FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a fastener 20 in accordance
with the present invention is disclosed. The fastener 20 is defined
by a plastic body portion 22 which engages a trim component 23
having a dog house engagement portion 24. Integral with the dog
house engagement portion 24 are a pair of engagement surfaces 26
and 27 disposed on abutting flange 28 which are used to engage the
mating surfaces 29 of the dog house engagement portion 24.
Additionally, the body portion 22 has a mating portion 30 which is
formed by two sets 32 and 34 of three locking members 36, 38, 40.
The two sets 32 and 34 of three locking members 36, 38, 40 are
coupled together at a proximal end 42 by an angled or wedge-shaped
member 44. The two sets 32 and 34 of three locking members 36, 38,
40 are coupled together at a distal end 46 by a sealing umbrella
portion 48. Each of the three locking members 36, 38, 40 define
retaining snap in teeth 50 which facilitate the coupling of the
plastic body portion 22 to a sheet metal structure 51.
[0021] The umbrella portion 48 functions to seal the mounting hole
53 in the sheet metal structure 51 and is formed of an oval planar
portion 49 which is surrounded by a generally oval deformable
portion 55. The teeth 50 are configured to pull the deformable oval
portion onto the sheet metal 51. Coupled to the distal end 46 and
disposed on the sealing umbrella portion 48 is a retaining flange
52 of the dog house engagement portion 24 which functions to
laterally bind the fastener 22 to the dog house.
[0022] Generally, the abutting flange 28 of the dog house
engagement portion 24 is defined by the sides of triangular
abutting flange member 28. The triangular abutting flange member 28
is defined by the pair of planar engaging surfaces 26 and 27. The
planar engaging surfaces 26 and 27 are configured to engage or
contact the triangular insertion slot 62 defined in the dog house
that facilitates the insertion of the dog house engagement portion
24 into the dog house.
[0023] Disposed on the lower surface of the umbrella region is a
pair of engagement members 64 and 66. The engagement members 64 are
generally perpendicular to the lower surface 69 of the sealing
umbrella portion 48. Optionally, these engagement members 64 can
engage apertures formed in the sheet metal structure in order to
prevent rotation of the fastener with respect to the sheet metal
structure. FIGS. 1-3 depict a t-shaped engagement member 64 which
has a rounded surface 65 which abut the surface of the aperture in
the sheet metal structure. FIGS. 4-6 depict oval engagement members
66. The engagement members 66 function to stand the engagement
plastic fastener 20 a predetermined distance from the body panel
surface.
[0024] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 4, is a view of dog house
engagement portion 24 coupled to the plastic body portion 22. The
dog house engagement portion 24 has a generally cylindrical-shaped
member 68 and has the retaining flange 52. The retaining flange 52
has a surface 70 which engages an interior surface of the dog house
of the trim component. The generally cylindrical-shaped member 68
has a circular outer surface 72 which functions to guide the
engagement portion between the angled insertion surfaces of the dog
house. The circular outer surface 72 further functions to mate with
a circular aperture defined within the dog house and prevent its
lateral removal. The dog house engagement portion 24 includes a
connecting flange 74 that is configured to rigidly connect the
triangular flange member 28 to the cylindrical coupling member
72.
[0025] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the dog house 80 defines an upper
keyhole slot 76 which allows displacement of the dog house
retention members 82. The dog house defines a circular aperture 84
having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of
cylindrical-shaped member 68. The triangular insertion slot 62 is
defined between the mating surfaces 29 of the dog house 80. Either
engagement surfaces 26 and 27 may contact one of the mating
surfaces 29. This minimizes rotation and translation of the
fastener 20.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fastener 120 in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The
fastener 120 is defined by a plastic body portion 122 having a dog
house engagement portion 124. Integral with the dog house
engagement portion 124 are pairs engagement surface 26 and 27
disposed on abutting flange 28 which are used to engage a surface
of the dog house engagement portion 124. Additionally, the body
portion 122 has a locking portion 130 which is formed by two sets
132 and 134 of three locking members 36, 38, 40. The two sets 132
and 134 of three locking members 36, 38, 40 are coupled together at
a proximal end 42 by an angled or wedge-shaped member 44. The two
sets 32 and 34 of three locking members 36, 38, 40 are coupled
together at a distal end 46 by a sealing umbrella portion 48. Each
of the three locking members 36, 38, 40 define retaining snap in
teeth 50 which facilitate the coupling of the plastic body portion
22 to a sheet metal structure 51. The dog house engagement portion
124 is a cylindrical body 126 without a capping flange 52.
[0027] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will
readily recognize from such a discussion, and from the accompanying
drawings and claims that various changes, modifications, and
variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
* * * * *