Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – In situ attached-type channel or trim strip – Vehicle trim
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2001-08-21
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
In situ attached-type channel or trim strip
Vehicle trim
C052S716600, C052S716700, C052S716100, C052S718040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276109
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a motor vehicle trim panel assembly and a method of making the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A motor vehicle body typically includes a pair of longitudinal “rocker” panels where the vertical sides of the body intersect the horizontal floor of the body. For aesthetic purposes, the rocker panels are commonly covered or shrouded by a pair of trim panel assemblies each including a molded plastic trim panel having a facia portion shaped to fit over a vertical side of the rocker panel and a skirt portion shaped to fit over a horizontal bottom of the rocker panel. The trim panel is molded in a selected color with a plurality of integral L-shaped supports on an inside surface of the facia portion each including a platform facing the vertical side of the rocker panel and a strut perpendicular to the platform at an outboard edge of the platform. A push-in fastener of the trim panel assembly is mounted in a slot in the platform of each of the L-shaped supports. Force applied to an outer surface of the facia portion at each of the L-shaped supports thrusts the push-in fastener thereon into a socket in the vertical side of the rocker panel to secure the facia portion of the trim panel to the rocker panel without the push-in fasteners being externally visible. The strut of each of the L-shaped supports transfers or reacts to the facia portion a fraction of the thrust applied to the corresponding push-in fastener to prevent flexure of the platform of the L-shaped support. In order to mold the trim panel with such integral L-shaped supports, a relatively complex mold is required including a plurality of sliding cores which must be withdrawn from inside of the L-shaped supports in order for the trim panel to be extracted from the mold. Such sliding cores increase the cost of the molds and are responsible for visible undulations in the outer surface of the facia portion of the trim panel attributable to relatively more rapid curing of the plastic melt which contacts the sliding cores. A trim panel assembly and method according to this invention are improvements over trim assemblies having such molded plastic trim panels with integral L-shaped supports and methods of making the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a new and improved trim panel assembly and method of making the same including a molded plastic trim panel having a facia portion shaped to fit over the body panel, an integral skirt portion, a plurality of flat cantilever platforms on an inside surface of the facia portion facing the body panel, and a plurality of pairs of raised bosses on the inside surface of the facia portion below the platforms. Each platform has a pair of side panels attached thereto by integral “living” hinges. A push-in fastener of the trim panel assembly is supported in a slot in each platform. The side panels are folded down and snapped behind the raised bosses which retain the side panels in active positions defining struts or braces between the platform and the inside surface of the facia portion. Force applied to an outside surface of the facia portion at each of the platforms thrusts the push-in fastener thereon into a socket in the body panel to secure the facia portion of the trim panel to the body panel without the push-in fasteners being externally visible. The struts transfer or react to the facia portion a fraction of the thrust applied to the corresponding push-in fastener to prevent flexure of the platform. Because each platform is integral with the facia portion along only one edge of the platform, the plastic trim panel can be extracted from its mold without resort to sliding cores. Manufacturing expense and surface undulations attributable to such sliding cores are thus avoided.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2084717 (1937-06-01), Wiley
patent: 3153468 (1964-10-01), Sweeney
patent: 3310929 (1967-03-01), Garvey
patent: 3680903 (1972-08-01), Hulten
patent: 3841044 (1974-10-01), Brown et al.
patent: 3842565 (1974-10-01), Brown et al.
patent: 3938842 (1976-02-01), Ruhl
patent: 4011635 (1977-03-01), Meyer
patent: 4039215 (1977-08-01), Minhinnick
patent: 4268079 (1981-05-01), Nomura et al.
patent: 4321780 (1982-03-01), Hooper et al.
patent: 4388355 (1983-06-01), Ikemizu
patent: 4393560 (1983-07-01), Kato
patent: 4707008 (1987-11-01), Falco
patent: 5195793 (1993-03-01), Maki
patent: 5275455 (1994-01-01), Harney et al.
patent: 5288530 (1994-02-01), Maki
patent: 5353571 (1994-10-01), Berdan et al.
patent: 5639522 (1997-06-01), Maki et al.
patent: 5660897 (1997-08-01), Maki
patent: 5697644 (1997-12-01), Logan et al.
patent: 5736215 (1998-04-01), Buchholz et al.
Hingorani Arun G.
Seitz Louis
A Phi Dieu Tran
Friedman Carl D.
General Motors Corporation
Leahy Charles E.
LandOfFree
Motor vehicle trim panel assembly and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Motor vehicle trim panel assembly and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Motor vehicle trim panel assembly and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2479784