Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Trim molding fastener – Having laterally extending biasing appendage
Patent
1998-09-10
2000-04-18
Brittain, James R.
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Trim molding fastener
Having laterally extending biasing appendage
24289, 24295, 24453, 296189, 525821, 52713, A44B 2100
Patent
active
060499524
ABSTRACT:
An energy absorbing interior trim component of plastics is attached to a supporting structural member of a vehicle by one or more special fastening devices. The trim component has a shell-like main housing defining an interior cavity that contains a plurality of laterally spaced energy absorbing ribs, which are designed to deform and collapse upon predetermined impact loads applied to the trim component. The ribs are strategically located and sized for optimized energy absorbing purposes and in accordance with the interior dimensions and shape of the trim component. Each fastening device comprises a steel spring clip having laterally spaced clamping jaw arms for easy installation and substantially permanent attachment to the ribs and having an attachment head which readily fastens into structure defining a narrow elongated slot in the supporting structural member. The trim component is inhibited from inadvertent disconnection from the structural member but can be removed for replacement or repair with simple tools. The energy of an impact load applied to the interior trim component is transferred to the energy absorbing ribs which collapse, tear or otherwise deform to dissipate the transferred impact energy. The fastening device is also designed to fold over to an out of the way position within the interior cavity of the trim component when the component is impacted. The trim component and fastener are an economical and readily manufacturable.
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Kodali Sudhakar
Mihelich Thomas D.
Schneider Werner H.
Brittain James R.
Chrysler Corporation
MacLean Kenneth H.
Sandy Robert J.
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