Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – In situ attached-type channel or trim strip – Vehicle trim
Reexamination Certificate
1994-09-06
2001-11-20
Johnstone, Adrienne C. (Department: 1733)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
In situ attached-type channel or trim strip
Vehicle trim
C052S718040, C156S071000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318045
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application in general relates to a clip which allows a vehicle molding to be mounted to a vehicle body quickly, efficiently and inexpensively.
Moldings are now mounted to vehicle bodies a number of ways. The moldings may be attached to the vehicle body with common fastening elements such as a stud welded to the body. An example of this type of mount are so-called weld studs which attach clips to the body for securing the molding. Push-in fasteners require a hole to be formed in the vehicle body. Both methods are somewhat undesirable since they are relatively expensive and will more than likely cause corrosion.
Adhesive strips has also been utilized on the back of moldings to secure the molding to the vehicle body. These strips have typically included adhesive extending for the entire length of the molding member. This is somewhat undesirable since it requires the molding to have a proper surface to receive the adhesive.
It is an object of the present invention to disclose a method and structure for securing a molding to a vehicle body that is relatively easy, efficient and inexpensive to utilize.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a disclosed embodiment of the present invention, clips are mounted at spaced locations on a rear face of a molding. The term “molding” as used in this application refers to any member attached to a body such as a trim, cladding, rocker panels, or even functional members such as handles. Further, this invention has benefits in attaching a member to non-vehicle bodies. The clips have adhesive rear faces which are affixed to the vehicle body and secure the molding to the vehicle body. In a preferred embodiment, the clips are received in a channel on the rear face of the molding and are spaced at selected locations. The channel may have entry openings at spaced locations such that the clip can be inserted into the molding and slid to a desired position within the channel. As an alternative, the clip may be installed before ends of the molding that close the channels are installed, or the clip corners may be cut on angles and twisted into the channel.
As is known in the art, a roller member may be passed along the length of the molding and causes the adhesive to be secured to the vehicle body, or “wet out”. The present invention achieves a high percentage of wet out adhesive due to its unique structure. As an alternative, the inventive clip allows application of force at the clip location.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clip member includes adhesive surfaces placed on one face of a metal substrate with plastic hills formed on the opposed face of the substrate. The metal substrate is preferably shaped to correspond to the contour of the vehicle body at the location the molding is attached. In that way, the metal substrate closely overlies the vehicle body, allowing a high degree of adhesive wet out.
The outermost plastic hills have outer faces curved to conform to the inner structure of the channel such that the clip is securely retained within the channel. The hills may have crushable fins at positions adjacent the inner periphery of the molding. The hills and fins may provide a bearing surface to transfer force from the roller to the adhesive. It is preferred that the hills and fins are normally spaced from the molding rear face.
The optional crushable fins provide a margin of error for the bearing surface. It is desirable that a roller force the molding rear face against an adequate bearing surface. Since the amount of movement of the rear face of the molding is at least somewhat unpredictable, the crushable fins provide a margin of error. Should the roller move the molding rearwardly less than is expected, the molding may still contact the fins and the force will be transferred to the adhesive. On the other hand, should the roller move the rear face of the molding a greater amount than would be expected, the fins are crushed and the force is transferred through the body of the hill. In this way, the fins provide a margin of error ensuring that the force from the roller is effectively transferred to the adhesive. The structure of the fins is such that they do not break off of the hills, but that a fracture line is formed and the fins are retained on the hills. This prevents rattling and undesirable noise. Alternatively the fin need not fracture, but may be bent resiliently.
In one alternate embodiment, the clip may snap into the channel. In another alternative, the clip may only be retained in one channel, and a tape strip may secure it to molding at the opposite location. Further a clip could be positioned near an end of the molding and an end cap could be molded to the clip.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of clips per unit length of molding are determined based upon the weight of the molding. A particular amount of adhesive area is desirable for each pound of molding.
These and other objects and features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3606432 (1971-09-01), Honatzis
patent: 3703747 (1972-11-01), Hamman
patent: 3837984 (1974-09-01), Wagner
patent: 4250596 (1981-02-01), Hara
patent: 4328052 (1982-05-01), Watanabe
patent: 4368225 (1983-01-01), Nussbaum
patent: 4617209 (1986-10-01), Ives
patent: 5134829 (1992-08-01), Kress
patent: 5353571 (1994-10-01), Berdan
LandOfFree
Clip for mounting molding does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Clip for mounting molding, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Clip for mounting molding will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2617912