Closure system for securing a plastic component to a support str

Details Closure system for securing a plastic component to a support str Closure system for securing a plastic component to a support str

1998-03-27

2000-02-08

Melius, Terry Lee

Joints and connections

Interfitted members

Lugged member, rotary engagement

403353, B25G 300

Patent

active

060221674

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a closure system for securing a plastic component to a supporting structure in accordance with the preamble of the main claim.
2. Description of Related Art
Fastening systems for attaching plastic components to a supporting structure are known in a great variety of forms. For example, plastic components are equipped with snap fasteners. Also with bayonet fasteners. Especially in motor vehicles a great number of plastic components are fastened to a supporting structure, to a car body for example, with snap or catch fasteners. Great value is placed on a vibration-free fastening, but also on low manufacturing costs and quick installation.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is addressed to the problem of creating a fastening system which has these advantages and also is in a position to fasten more complex plastic components to a simple supporting structure in a reliable manner.
This problem is solved, setting out from the preamble of the principal claim, by its distinctive characteristics.
The core idea of the invention is to configure the plastic component such that no complex operations on the supporting structure will be necessary, and that no additional elements will be needed on the supporting structure. This is achieved by equipping the plastic component both with a contact surface and with locking means, so that only an opening is required on the supporting structure.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention it is proposed to provide detent projections on the plastic component or on the supporting structure which prevent the plastic component from falling out.
A further advantageous embodiment of the invention lies in the arrangement of inclined tabs on the securing elements. These provide for simple and quick assembly.
In a preferred manner, the supporting structure comprises a metal sheet. This sheet metal is, for example, part of the body of a motor vehicle and has a thickness in the range from 0.3 to 3 mm. The opening in the sheet metal is advantageously punched out. One advantageous application of the fastening system is seen in the case of the air intake tube for an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle. This air intake tube usually leads through a part of the body in an area of the vehicle in which air carrying as little dirt or moisture as possible or air not heated by the motor can be drawn in. It was known to provide such intake tubes with ears or the like and to fasten them with sheet metal screws to a portion of the body. This kind of fastening is very reliable, and yet cost-intensive and requires much work to in the assembly process. If the air intake tube is equipped with the features of the plastic component [of the invention], then a simple but at the same time reliable fastening resistant to vibration is possible.
These and other features of preferred embodiments of the invention are to be found not only in the claims but also in the description and the drawings, and the individual features can be realized singly or plurally in the form of subcombinations in the embodiment of the invention and in other fields, and may constitute advantageous as well as independently patentable embodiments for which protection is hereby claimed. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plastic component, in particular an air intake tube, which is disposed on a flat plate,
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the plastic component,
FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the plastic component,
FIG. 4 shows the supporting structure with opening, and
FIG. 5a-d the assembly steps taken in fastening the plastic component to a metal sheet.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a plastic component 10, in particular a part of an air intake tube for an internal combustion engine. This plastic component is secured to a flat plate, for example to a metal plate 11.
The plastic component 10 has, as

REFERENCES:
patent: 3427552 (1969-02-01), Sauer et al.
patent: 4600277 (1986-07-01), Murray, Jr.
patent: 4653708 (1987-03-01), Rich
patent: 4756638 (1988-07-01), Neyret
patent: 4768545 (1988-09-01), Hoffman
patent: 5397157 (1995-03-01), Hempel et al.

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