Attachment connection for vehicle trim component

Details Attachment connection for vehicle trim component Attachment connection for vehicle trim component

2000-03-22

2001-05-29

Wilson, Neill (Department: 3627)

Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr

Headed fastener element with nut, washer, securing means or cap

Lap bolt or fastener

C411S508000, C411S526000, C411S902000, C411S908000, C024S324000, C024S453000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238157

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an attachment connection for securing a vehicle trim component to a vehicle body.
BACKGROUND ART
Vehicle trim components such as door panel liners, headliners, insignia plaques, etc. are conventionally secured to a vehicle sheet metal panel by separate fasteners which necessarily involve inventory costs as well as the cost involved with assembling the fasteners to the sheet metal panel and the trim component to the fastener.
Patents noted during an investigation conducted in connection with the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,636 Tanaka; U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,208 Boundy; U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,567 Clinch; U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,396 Benoit; U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,501 Gugle et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,954 Sobin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,858 Bolanos et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,573 de Beers et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,631 Nowosiadly; U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,891 Meyer; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,729 Baack; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,631 Hironaka et al.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved attachment connection for securing a vehicle trim component to a vehicle body sheet metal panel.
In carrying out the above object, the attachment connection for securing the vehicle trim component to the vehicle body sheet metal panel includes an attachment projection extending from the trim component and an attachment formation molded in situ on the attachment projection from a softer material than the attachment projection. An opening formed in the sheet metal panel includes a cantilevered leaf spring having a terminal end that is engaged with the softer attachment formation of the attachment projection upon insertion of the attachment projection into the opening to thereby provide securement of the trim component.
In the preferred construction of the attachment connection, the leaf spring has a curved section to provide enhanced spring action thereof when its terminal end engages the attachment formation. The terminal end of the leaf spring also preferably has a curved shape that engages the attachment projection.
The preferred construction of the attachment connection has the opening of the vehicle body panel provided with clearance spacings on opposite sides of the leaf spring. These clearance spacings preferably have enlarged portions adjacent the terminal end of the leaf spring where the attachment projection is inserted.
In another embodiment of the vehicle trim component attachment connection, the attachment formation on the attachment projection includes oppositely facing securement portions, and the opening in the sheet metal panel has a pair of the cantilevered leaf springs having terminal ends that respectively engage the opposite facing securement portions of the attachment formation on the attachment projection to provide the securement of the trim component. The pair of leaf springs of this embodiment each has a curved section to provide enhanced spring action thereof when their terminal ends engage the oppositely facing securement portions of the attachment formation on the attachment projection. The terminal ends of both leaf springs have curved shapes that engage the oppositely facing securement portions of the attachment formation of the attachment projection.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2347863 (1944-05-01), Woodward
patent: 2790222 (1957-04-01), Creedon
patent: 3938587 (1976-02-01), Vian
patent: 4499636 (1985-02-01), Tanaka
patent: 4861208 (1989-08-01), Boundy
patent: 5036567 (1991-08-01), Clinch
patent: 5301396 (1994-04-01), Benoit
patent: 5339501 (1994-08-01), Gugle et al.
patent: 5416954 (1995-05-01), Sobin
patent: 5423858 (1995-06-01), Bolanos et al.
patent: 5704573 (1998-01-01), de Beers et al.
patent: 5846631 (1998-12-01), Nowosiadly
patent: 5907891 (1999-06-01), Meyer
patent: 5934729 (1999-08-01), Baack
patent: 5947631 (1999-09-01), Hironaka et al.
patent: 3194206 (1991-08-01), None

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