U.S. patent application number 15/158784 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for motor vehicle roof ditch cover clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Newfrey LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Newfrey LLC. Invention is credited to Tien T. Diep, Jason A. Meyers.
Application Number | 20170334369 15/158784 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60255500 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170334369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meyers; Jason A. ; et
al. |
November 23, 2017 |
MOTOR VEHICLE ROOF DITCH COVER CLIP
Abstract
The ditch molding clip can include a single piece body. The
single piece body can include (1) an outer frame surrounding an
interior opening, (2) a clip-to-molding retention coupling
including a plurality of resilient arm members extending from the
outer frame and designed to engage and retain a corresponding edge
of the molding, (3) a clip-to-weld-stud retention coupling
positioned within the interior opening and including an aperture
designed to receive and retain the weld stud, and (4) an extensible
member extending between the outer frame and the clip-to-molding
retention coupling. A longitudinal length of the extensible member
can be designed to lengthen to allow the clip-to-weld stud
retention coupling to move within the interior opening to
accommodate for variations in the positioning of the weld stud
relative to the ditch. The extensible member can have a corrugated
configuration.
Inventors: |
Meyers; Jason A.; (Shelby
Township, MI) ; Diep; Tien T.; (West Bloomfield,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Newfrey LLC |
New Britain |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Newfrey LLC
New Britain
CT
|
Family ID: |
60255500 |
Appl. No.: |
15/158784 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/0657 20130101;
B60R 13/0212 20130101; B60R 13/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 13/02 20060101
B60R013/02 |
Claims
1. A ditch molding clip for coupling a molding to a weld stud of a
ditch of a motor vehicle surface, the ditch molding clip
comprising: a single piece body comprising: an outer frame
surrounding an interior opening a clip-to-molding retention
coupling including a plurality of resilient arm members extending
from the outer frame and designed to engage and retain a
corresponding edge of the molding; a clip-to-weld-stud retention
coupling positioned within the interior opening and including an
aperture designed to receive and retain the weld stud; an
extensible member extending between the outer frame and the
clip-to-molding retention coupling; wherein a longitudinal length
of the extensible member is designed to lengthen to allow the
clip-to-weld stud retention coupling to move within the interior
opening to accommodate for variations in the positioning of the
weld stud relative to the ditch.
2. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein the aperture has an
elongated shape, and wherein the elongated shape is designed to
accommodate for longitudinal variations in a position of the weld
stud.
3. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein the extensible member
is designed to lengthen to allow the clip-to-weld stud retention
coupling to move laterally within the interior opening to
accommodate for lateral variations in a position of the weld
stud.
4. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein the aperture has an
elongated shape that is elongated longitudinally, and wherein the
extensible member has an initial longitudinally extending
orientation.
5. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein the extensible member
has a height in a top-to-bottom direction that is designed to
resist torsional rotation about the longitudinal length of the
extensible member.
6. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein the extensible member
has a height in a top-to-bottom direction that is designed to
resist movement of the clip-to-weld stud retention coupling in an
upward direction transverse to the longitudinal length of the
extensible member.
7. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein of the extensible
member has an upper surface that is positioned to contact an
adjacent surface of the molding during coupling with the weld
stud.
8. The ditch molding clip of claim 7, wherein the upper surface
defines an overall contact area width that is greater than a
transverse wall width of the extensible member.
9. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein a pair of the
extensible members is provided.
10. The ditch molding clip of claim 1, wherein the single piece
body comprises a molded polymeric body
11. A ditch cover clip for coupling a ditch cover to a weld stud of
a ditch of a motor vehicle surface, the ditch cover clip
comprising: a single piece molded polymeric body comprising: an
outer frame surrounding an interior opening a clip-to-cover
retention coupling including a plurality of resilient arm members
extending from the outer frame and designed to engage and retain a
corresponding edge of the cover; a clip-to-weld-stud retention
coupling positioned within the interior opening and including an
aperture designed to receive and retain the weld stud; a pair of
extensible members extending between the outer frame and the
clip-to-cover retention coupling; wherein the extensible member has
a corrugated configuration.
12. The ditch molding clip of claim 11, wherein the aperture has an
elongated shape, and wherein the elongated shape is designed to
accommodate for longitudinal variations in a position of the weld
stud, and wherein the extensible member is designed to lengthen to
allow the clip-to-weld stud retention coupling to move laterally
within the interior opening to accommodate for lateral variations
in a position of the weld stud.
13. The ditch molding clip of claim 11, wherein the aperture has an
elongated shape that is elongated longitudinally, and wherein the
extensible member has an initial longitudinally extending
orientation.
14. The ditch molding clip of claim 11, wherein the extensible
member has a height in a top-to-bottom direction that is designed
to resist torsional rotation about the longitudinal length of the
extensible member.
15. The ditch molding clip of claim 11, wherein the extensible
member has a height in a top-to-bottom direction that is designed
to resist movement of the clip-to-weld stud retention coupling in
an upward direction transverse to the longitudinal length of the
extensible member.
16. The ditch molding clip of claim 11, wherein the extensible
member has a height in a top-to-bottom direction that is
substantially the same as an overall height of the outer frame.
17. The ditch molding clip of claim 11, wherein of the extensible
member has an upper surface that is positioned to contact an
adjacent surface of the cover during coupling with the weld
stud.
18. The ditch molding clip of claim 17, wherein the upper surface
defines an overall contact area width that is greater than a
transverse wall width of the extensible member.
19. The ditch molding clip of claim 17, wherein the corrugated
configuration is oriented to provide the upper surface with a
sinusoidal shape.
20. The ditch molding clip of claim 11, wherein the single piece
body comprises a molded polymeric body.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to clips for coupling a
molding to a ditch in the surface of a motor vehicle, and more
particularly to clips for coupling a cover over a roof ditch of an
automobile.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] It is common to use ditch moldings on motor vehicles. Ditch
moldings may be applied in relation to surface ditches to cover
joints, seams and other unappealing features, or they may be
applied in relation to surface ditches simply for aesthetic
purposes. Because it is not always easy to attach molding directly
to automobile body parts, molding is often attached using a
specialized retainer clip.
[0004] A variety of automobiles now include a roof ditch that
extends along a portion of the roof above the doors. The roof ditch
is typically defined by the joint between the roof and the side
panel of the automobile. Typically, the roof ditch is covered at
least in part by a roof ditch molding or cover. Such molding
typically has an interior support of metal or the like with a
generally "C" shaped section profile. The interior support can be
covered with a more pliable material such as rubber or the like
which extends outwardly to engage sides of the roof ditch.
[0005] In many applications, retaining clips couple the roof ditch
cover to corresponding weld studs positioned along the roof ditch.
In some instances, the lateral position of the various weld studs
relative to the side or sides of the ditch can vary along the roof
ditch. Since the clip operates by coupling to both the ditch cover
and the stud, such variation in the lateral positioning of the weld
studs can cause the cover to engage the side of the roof ditch,
which can prevent the retaining clip from being able to operatively
couple with both the cover and weld stud. Even if coupling is not
prevented, the overlying molding will tend to be out of position,
which can result in functional or aesthetic deficiencies of the
ditch cover. Accordingly, a continuing need exists for a roof ditch
molding retainer which accommodates lateral variations in the
positioning of the weld studs along the length of the ditch
molding.
SUMMARY
[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a
ditch molding clip for coupling a molding to a weld stud of a ditch
of a motor vehicle surface is provided. The ditch molding clip can
include a single piece body. The single piece body can include (1)
an outer frame surrounding an interior opening, (2) a
clip-to-molding retention coupling including a plurality of
resilient arm members extending from the outer frame and designed
to engage and retain a corresponding edge of the molding, (3) a
clip-to-weld-stud retention coupling positioned within the interior
opening and including an aperture designed to receive and retain
the weld stud, and (4) an extensible member extending between the
outer frame and the clip-to-molding retention coupling. A
longitudinal length of the extensible member can be designed to
lengthen to allow the clip-to-weld stud retention coupling to move
within the interior opening to accommodate for variations in the
positioning of the weld stud relative to the ditch.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a
ditch cover clip for coupling a ditch cover to a weld stud of a
ditch of a motor vehicle surface is provided. The ditch cover clip
can include a single piece molded polymeric body. The single piece
molded polymeric body can include (1) an outer frame surrounding an
interior opening, (2) a clip-to-cover retention coupling including
a plurality of resilient arm members extending from the outer frame
and designed to engage and retain a corresponding edge of the
cover, (3) a clip-to-weld-stud retention coupling positioned within
the interior opening and including an aperture designed to receive
and retain the weld stud, and (4) a pair of extensible members
extending between the outer frame and the clip-to-cover retention
coupling. The extensible member can have a corrugated
configuration.
[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded partial perspective view of an
exemplary assembly including one example of a motor vehicle roof
ditch clip in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary assembly
of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the exemplary clip of the
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4, but with the
extensible members of the example clip in an extended position.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the example clip of the
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0017] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one example embodiment of a clip 20 in
accordance with the present disclosure. The ditch molding or cover
clip 20 is designed to couple a ditch molding or cover 11 to a weld
stud 13 of a ditch 15 of a motor vehicle surface 17. The ditch 15
can include a pair of longitudinally extending side surfaces or
side walls 19. Alternatively, the clip can be designed to couple a
molding to the weld stud 13 of a ditch 15 of a motor vehicle
surface 17 having a single side wall 19.
[0020] The ditch cover clip 20 can be a single-piece body 22 and
can be a molded polymeric body 22. The body 22 can include an outer
frame 24 surrounding an interior opening 26. A clip-to-molding or
clip-to-cover retention coupling 28 can include a plurality of
resilient arm members 30 extending laterally outwardly from the
outer frame 24. The resilient arm members 30 can include coupling
lips or detents 32 so that each resilient arm 30, including the
coupling detent 32, is designed to engage and retain a
corresponding edge 21 of the cover 11.
[0021] Outwardly extending stop members 36 can be provided to
sandwich the corresponding edge between the detent 32 and the stops
36. Resilient arm members 34 can also be provided to engage a notch
(not shown) in the edge 21 to prevent longitudinal movement of the
clip 20 along the length of the cover 11. Alternatively, the
resilient arm members 30 themselves can engage the edge 21 at such
a notch.
[0022] A clip-to-weld-stud retention coupling 38 can be positioned
within the interior opening 26. The clip-to-weld-stud retention
coupling 38 can include an aperture 40 designed to receive and
retain a head 23 of the weld stud 13. For example, the
clip-to-weld-stud retention coupling 38 can include an angled entry
surface 42 and an oppositely disposed retention surface 44. The
aperture 40 can have an elongated oval shape to accommodate
variations in the positioning of the weld stud 13. As in the
illustrated example, the aperture 40 can be elongated in a
direction that is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the
ditch 15. Thus, the elongated oval aperture 40 can accommodate
variations in the longitudinal positioning of the weld stud 13
relative to the ditch 15. Alternatively, the aperture 40 can be
elongated in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal
direction of the ditch 15 to accommodate variations in the lateral
positioning of the weld stud 15 relative to the ditch 15.
[0023] A pair of extensible members 46 can extend between the outer
frame 24 and the clip-to-molding retention coupling 38. The
extensible members 46 are designed to lengthen longitudinally to
allow the clip-to-weld stud retention coupling 38 to move within
the interior opening 26 to accommodate for variations in the
positioning of the weld stud 13 relative to the ditch 15. In the
illustrated example, the extensible members 46 have a corrugated
configuration in which corrugations of the corrugated wall extend
in a side-to-side direction that is transverse to the longitudinal
direction of the extensible members. In other words, the sinusoidal
end wall 48 of the corrugated wall 50 faces toward the top of the
clip 22.
[0024] As in the illustrated embodiment, the corrugated extensible
members 46 can have non-extended position extending, or can be
molded to, or can initially, extend in a direction in which the
longitudinal lengthening of the extensible members 46 accommodates
variations in the lateral positioning of the weld stud 13 relative
to the ditch 15. Alternatively, the corrugated extensible members
46 can have a non-extended or initial position extending in a
direction in which longitudinal lengthening of the extensible
members 46 accommodates variations in the longitudinal positioning
of the weld stud 13 relative to the ditch 15.
[0025] As in the illustrated example, in the non-extended or
initial position of the extensible members 46, the extensible
members 46 can longitudinally extend in a direction that is in
alignment with the direction in which the aperture 40 is elongated.
In addition, this aligned direction that the extensible members 46
initially extend in, and that the aperture 40 is elongated in, can
also be aligned with the longitudinal direction 54 of the ditch 15
and of the cover 11. Alternatively, this aligned direction that the
extensible members 46 initially extend in, and that the aperture 40
is elongated in, can be aligned transverse to the longitudinal
direction of the ditch 15.
[0026] The corrugated extensible members 46 can be designed to
resist movement other than longitudinal lengthening thereof. For
example, the extensible members 46 can be designed to resist
torsional rotation about the longitudinal length 56 of the
extensible member 46, of to resist rotation along the longitudinal
length of the extensible members that would result in movement in a
height direction, or both. As in the illustrated example, this can
be accomplished in whole or in part, by the extensible member 46
having a height in a top-to-bottom direction (as oriented in FIG.
2) of the extensible member 46 that is substantially the same as
the overall height of the outer frame 24.
[0027] This can also be accomplished in whole or in part, via the
upper or top surface 48 of each extensible member 46. As in the
illustrated example, the top surface 48 of each extensible member
46 is positioned adjacent an interior surface 25 of the ditch
molding or cover 11 such that the top surface 48 of the extensible
member 46 contact against the interior surface 25 of the ditch
cover 11. This can also be accomplished in whole or in part, via
the top surface 48 having an overall contact area width 58, due to
its sinusoidal shape as a result of the corrugated configuration of
the extensible member 46, that is greater than the largest
transverse width 60 of the wall or member 50 per se that forms or
is the extensible member 46. The transverse width 60 of the wall 50
per se can vary along its length in order to facilitate flexing and
extension and contraction of the extensible member 46.
[0028] Use of the example clip illustrated herein can include
coupling a plurality of the clips 20 to the ditch cover 11 at
various positions along the longitudinal length thereof that
correspond to various positions along the longitudinal length of
the ditch 15 at which corresponding weld studs 13 have been
attached. The clip-to-cover retention couplings 28 of each clip 20
engage and retain the opposing edges 21 of the cover 11 as
described above. The resilient arm members 34 can facilitate
correct longitudinal positioning of the clips 20 via engagement
with notches in the edges 21 as described above.
[0029] This cover 11 and multi-clip 20 sub-assembly can then be
positioned over the ditch 15 and pressed down to engage the
clip-to-weld-stud coupling 38 of each clip against the head 23 of a
corresponding weld stud 13. The elongated oval shape of the stud
retaining aperture 40 can accommodate for variations in the
longitudinal positioning of a weld stud 13 in the ditch 15.
[0030] Variations in the lateral positioning of a weld stud 13 in
the ditch 15 can be accommodated for by the corrugated extensible
members 46. For example, as the head 23 of a slightly laterally
offset weld stud 13 engages the entry surface of the stud retaining
aperture 40 and enters the aperture 40, the weld stud 13 becomes
laterally centered within the aperture 40. To the extent the cover
11 and clip 20 are unable to move laterally to accommodate the
lateral offset, a tensile force is exerted along the corrugated
extensible members 46 causing them to elongate or increase their
longitudinal length.
[0031] In some cases, the cover 11 and clip 20 is unable to move
laterally as a result of lateral positioning forces imposed by
clips 20 that have been previously coupled to weld studs 13 along
the length of the cover 11. In some cases, the cover 11 and clip 20
is unable to move laterally as a result of lateral positioning
forces imposed by the cover 11 engaging against an adjacent side
edge or wall 19 of the ditch 15. In some cases, a combination of
both these lateral positioning forces can be at play.
[0032] In the illustrated example, the initial, non-extended
position (FIG. 4), the corrugated extensible members 46 extend
longitudinally in an initial, non-extended direction 56 that is in
alignment with the longitudinal direction 54 of the cover 11, the
ditch 15, or both. In the extended position (FIG. 5), the
corrugated extensible members 46 extend longitudinally in an
extended direction 62 at an angle 64 to the non-extended direction
56 and to the longitudinal direction 54 of the cover 11 or ditch
15.
[0033] Spatially relative terms, such as "top," "bottom," "upper,"
"lower," "height," "length," "width," and the like, are used herein
for ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. Such spatially relative terms, however, are not
intended to require a specific orientation of the device in use or
operation, and other orientations are possible with the spatially
relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0034] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *