Clip wtih corresponding clip housing

Abstract

A clip with dual attachment flanges that is easily attachable, removable and re-attachable to and from a vehicle, such as an automobile, boat, snowmobile, or other similar structure. The clip comprises a base, whereby a male member projects perpendicularly from the base on one side of the base substantially from a leg member of the base, first and second legs project from a cross-member substantially in the same plane as the base, the first and second legs projecting from the cross-member on opposite ends of the cross-member, and attachment flanges at the outermost ends of each of the first and second legs. A corresponding clip housing attached to a trim part is provided with flange receipt channels that receive the flanges of the first and second legs to secure the trim part to the clip. The first and second legs of the clip are thus slid over portions of the clip housing to seat the flanges of the first and second legs in their respective flange receipt channels. Slide guide channels may be provided to help align the first and second legs of the clip for easier insertion or removal of the trim part from the clip.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/451,578 filed Mar. 3, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to clips and clip houses that are used to attach a vehicular trim part to a frame or other mounting surface. The clips are mounted to the corresponding clip housing for easy removal and reattachment to a vehicle, such as an automobile, boat, snowmobile, or the like.

2. Description of Related Art

Several types of vehicular body or trim clips are known. Some of these clips, however, pose problems in removal of the trim part from the vehicle after the trim part has been secured to the vehicle. For example, where body work after initial assembly is required on a vehicle due to accidents, or other desired modifications to the vehicle, some of the clips and associated clip housings may not permit easy removal of the trim part from the frame or other mounting structure. Sometimes the clips may break when trim parts are attempted to be removed from the vehicle as a result of the pressure applied to the clip during removal. As a result, replacement clips are required. Alternatively, the clips may become distorted during the trim part removal such that the clip does not attach the trim part as securely to the vehicle after the body work, or other desired modification, has been performed. Thus, either the removal of the trim part is difficult, or the clip breaks, or is distorted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a clip and clip house member that cooperate in combination to securely attach an automotive trim part such as a rocker panel, chin molding, or the like to an automotive mounting surface such as a frame member, sheet metal panel, or other automotive mounting structure. The combination of clip and clip housing allows for easy and secure attachment of the trim part to the associated automotive structure and, quite importantly, the combination allows for easy removal of the automotive trim part from the mounting surface.

The clip comprises a base normally composed of a thermoplastic or thermoset resin material. The clip member is in most cases preferably an integrally molded piece and further includes a male member that projects upwardly from the base. Opposing sides of the male member include a raised curved surface portion. A gap is provided between the top of the base and the raised surface portion, and this gap is adapted to receive the mounting surface of the automotive structure, such as a sheet metal surface or the like. This provides secure engagement of the automotive mounting surface to the clip.

At least one leg member is provided on the clip and projects from the base. At the remote or distal end of the leg, a flange member is provided and is adapted to fit snugly within a flange member receiving channel that is formed in the clip house.

The clip house is usually integrally molded with the automotive trim member and is spaced from the back side surface of the part. The attachment structure of the clip house includes a generally planar engagement surface and a first recess portion of that surface which defines a reception area for secure reception of at least a portion of the clip body therein.

The flange receipt channel of the clip house structure defines a second recessed portion of the clip house engagement surface. This is in the form of a channel having opposed wall members that are connected by a bottom channel surface. The flange from the leg of the clip snugly fits or is snap fit into the channel. The trim part is connected securely to the mounting surface of the automotive structure by means of engagement of the body of the clip into the first recessed portion of the clip house and by snug receipt of the flange carried by the clip into the flange receipt channel of the clip house. Pivotal movement of the flange away from the bottom channel surface and subsequent sliding movement of the flange along the channel will result in ready separation of the trim part from the mounting structure.

The clip and clip house structural combination of the invention is versatile and may be used on a variety of vehicles having a wide range of trim part and mounting structures. These and other features and advantages of the invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right hand side elevational view of the clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of a clip and clip house combination in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective showing another embodiment of a clip and clip house combination in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Turning first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a clip 1 of the invention that is adapted for utilization with either of the clip house embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the clip comprises a base portion 2 and cross-member 3. The top surface of the base portion and cross-member are substantially co-planar. A male member 4 or stud projects upwardly from the base and as shown, is perpendicularly related to the planar surface created by the base 2 and cross-member. On opposing upstanding sides of the male member, or stud, a raised portion 5 is provided and extends laterally therefrom. As shown, the raised portion terminates in a smooth, curved surface 9.

Extending away from the cross-member 3 are parallel legs 6 and 7 with the terminal or distal ends of each being provided with underlying flanges 6a, 7a (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1, the width between the legs 6 and 7 is designated as W2 with the width of the entire cross-member 3 being shown as W1.

In FIG. 2, sides or pedestals of the raised member 5 are designated as 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d. The terminus or end of the raised portion 9 presents a smooth surface. A gap g is defined between the raised portion and the plane defined by the top surfaces of the base 2 and cross-member 3. This gap is adapted for snug reception of the requisite automotive mounting structure, such as a sheet metal strip, frame, or other automotive body or mounting structure therein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of a clip house formed in accordance with the invention. Here, the clip house 10 comprises a first recess 14 formed therein and defined by walls 13a, 13b, 13c, and the central portion 13. The body of the clip is adapted for close or snug fitting into this first recess. As shown, the entire width of the cross-member 3 is received in this recessed area.

The clip further comprises first and second flange reception channels designated as members 11 and 12 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Each of these channels is provided with a ramp member 15.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the clip is inserted into the clip house so that the two legs of the clip are snugly received in the first and second channels 11 and 12. Similarly, the clip body is friction or snap fit into the large recess provided on the clip house surface. In order to easily remove the trim part 20 from the automotive structure, the trim part 20 is pivoted relative to the flanges 6a, 7a of the clip. Then, the part is slid so that the flanges 6a, 7a move relative to the clip housing and are popped upwardly by means of the ramps 15, 15 as shown in FIG. 3 so that the part is easily removed from the automobile or truck.

Turning now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the invention is shown wherein the clip house comprises flange receipt channels 30 and 40 respectively. Channel 40 is spaced laterally from the first recessed portion of the clip house which first recess portion is adapted for engagement of the body of the clip. This first channel 30 is provided in the shape of an “L” when viewed in plan and comprises an open end 31. The second flange engagement channel 40 also comprises an open end 41 that terminates in the first recess portion of the clip house that is adapted for engagement of the body of the clip. This second flange engagement channel is also in the form of an L. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the flanges of the clip and their associated legs are fit within the channels and slid along the bottom surface of the channels and moved to the right hand side of the clip house shown in FIG. 4 until the flanges lock or are frictionally engaged in the respective channels 30, 40. This will also result in snug engagement of the body member at 2 and cross-member 3 within the first recess portion 14 of the clip house.

In order to readily remove the trim part 20 from the associated automotive structure, the part is pivoted so that, in effect, the flanges 6a, 7a are pivoted relative to the bottom surface of the channels 30, 40. Then the part is slid so that the flanges travel to the left hand side direction shown in FIG. 4 within channels 30, 40. The part is maneuvered so that the flanges slide in a downward fashion (with regard to the FIG. 4 drawing) so that the flanges travel through the open ends 31, 41 of the channels, thereby freeing the part 20 from the clip and the automotive mounting structure attached to the clip.

The invention has been shown in conjunction with specifically preferred embodiments thereof. However, various modifications can be envisioned by those having ordinary skill in the art. The appended claims are intended to encompass such modifications and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A combination for attaching an automotive trim part to a mounting surface of an automotive structure, said combination comprising a clip and a clip housing:

1) said clip adapted for connecting said trim part to said clip housing and comprising a) a base b) a male member projecting from said base, said male member including a raised surface portion thereby defining a gap between said base and said raised surface portion, said gap adapted for secure engagement of said mounting surface therein; c) a leg member projecting from the base, said leg having a distal end spaced from said base and a flange disposed at said distal end;

2) said clip housing attached to said trim part and comprising: a) a generally planar engagement surface; b) a first recessed portion of said engagement surface defining a first reception area adapted for snug reception of at least a portion of said clip base therein; c) a recessed portion of said engagement surface in the form of a flange receipt channel having opposing wall members connected by a bottom flange receipt channel surface, said channel adapted for snug receipt of said clip leg flange therein; whereby said trim part may be securely connected to said mounting surface of said automotive structure and wherein pivotal movement of said flange away from said bottom channel surface and subsequent sliding movement of said flange along said channel will result in separation of said trim part from said mounting structure.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip comprises a pair of leg members with said male member projecting upwardly between said leg members, both of said leg members including a flange at a distal end thereof, said clip house comprising first and second flange receipt channels formed therein; one of said first and second flange receipt channels being in communication with said first recessed portion of said engagement surface, and the other of said first and second flange receipt channels spaced from said first recessed portion of said engagement surface and having an open end portion whereby said flanges may be pivoted relative to said channels and slid therealong to separate said trim part from said mounting surface.

3. Combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said first and second flange receipt channels are substantially “L” shaped when viewed in plan.

4. Combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said flange receipt channel comprises a ramped portion.

5. Combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said first recessed portion of said engagement surface of said clip house comprises a locator tab, said base of said clip comprising a recess therein adapted for mating with said locator tab.

6. Combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip comprises a pair of leg members and wherein said male member projects upwardly between said leg members, both of said leg members including a flange at a distal end thereof, said clip house comprising first and second flange receipt channels formed therein, each of said flange receipt channels having a ramped portion.

7. Combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said raised surface portion extends laterally from said male member and comprises a rounded surface portion.

8. Combination as recited in claim 7, wherein said male member projects generally perpendicularly from said base.

9. A combination of detachable clip attachable to a vehicle structure and a corresponding clip housing attached to a trim part attachable to the clip, the combination wherein,

said clip comprises: a base having a leg member and a cross-member located in common plane; a male member projecting perpendicularly from one side of the base; a raised portion on opposed sides of the male member defining a gap distance from an upper surface of the base, wherein the male member is insertable to a portion of the vehicle structure that seats in the gap distance; a first end leg projecting from said base and ending in a free end; a second end leg projecting from said base in a same direction as the first end leg projects and ending in a free end; an attachment flange at the free end of each of the first end leg and the second end leg; and a corresponding clip housing comprising: a substantially rectangular member having a top, bottom, front, rear and side surface; a central recess adapted for secure engagement of at least a portion of said clip base therein; a first flange receipt channel on the top surface at one end of the rectangular member for receiving the flange of the first end leg; and a second flange receipt channel on the top surface at another end of the rectangular member, the second flange receipt channel for receiving the flange of the second end leg.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second flange receipt channels comprises at least one ramp, each ramp easing the entry or exit of the flange at the free end of the first end leg and the second end leg.

11. A combination of a detachable clip attachable to a vehicle structure and a corresponding clip housing attached to a trim part attachable to the clip, the combination comprising:

a clip comprising: a base having a leg member and a cross-member in a same plane: a male member projecting perpendicularly from one side of the base; a raised portion on opposed sides of the male member defining a gap distance from an upper surface of the base to said raised portions, wherein the male member is insertable to a portion of the vehicle structure that seats in the gap distance; a first end leg projecting from said base and ending in a free end; a second end leg projecting from said base in the same direction as the first end leg projects and ending in a free end; an attachment flange at the free end of each of the first end leg and the second end leg; and

a corresponding clip house comprising: a substantially rectangular member having a top, bottom, front, rear, and side surface; a central recess adapted for secure engagement of at least a portion of said clip base therein; a first L-shaped leg channel outside the central recess and positioned toward one end of the rectangular member, the first L-shaped channel comprising a straight leg and a cross-member on the top surface of the rectangular member, wherein the first end leg is received in the first L-shaped channel until the flange seats in the cross-member; and a second leg channel inside the central recess and positioned toward another end of the rectangular member, the second leg channel comprising a straight leg portion and a cross-member on the top surface of the rectangular member, wherein the second end leg is received in the second L-shaped channel until the flange seats in the cross-member.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein each of the first channel cross-member and the second channel cross-member comprises at least one ramp therein.