Plastic Type Patents (Class 24/297)
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Patent number: 8695177Abstract: A clip may include a main body and a pin member. In the clip, an engagement condition of the anchor to an attaching hole formed in a plate member can be maintained by inserting an elastic shank portion of the pin member into the anchor of the main body. The elastic shank portion inserted into the anchor is received by a stopper of the anchor, so that the pin member can be locked in a temporary insertion position. An interfering portion of the elastic shank portion is exposed to an exterior portion the anchor. When the anchor is inserted into the attaching hole, the interfering portion of the elastic shank portion interferes with a periphery of the attaching hole, so that a condition in which the pin member is locked in the temporary insertion position can be released.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kato, Haruhisa Kamiya, Toshio Iwahara, Hideyuki Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 8689409Abstract: A fastener for mounting a panel to a supporting structure includes a fastener part having a base with an upper and lower side. A connector is adapted to engage with another fastener part projecting from the upper side of the base. The lower side of the base is adapted to be adhesively connected to a substrate and incorporating a surface configuration that promotes a mechanical connection with an adhesive. The lower side surface configuration includes a protrusion extending from the base to a crown. The protrusion includes an undercut portion configured to form a mechanical connection with the adhesive. In use adhesive fills between the protrusions and forms a mechanical connection with the undercut portions when hardened.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Fastmount LimitedInventors: Ronald Charles Hanley, Gregory John Kelly
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Patent number: 8690257Abstract: An attachment device for securing a trim cover to foam pad. The attachment device includes an elongated attachment component coupled to the trim cover and a base component disposed within the foam pad. The attachment component includes an outwardly protruding barb and a key pad at a distal end thereof. The base component includes a retaining element having a pair of spaced apart fingers defining a gap there between and a keyway at the bottom of the retaining element between the fingers that is adapted for receiving the key. The key of the attachment component is disposed in the keyway of the retaining element and one of the fingers interacts with the barb to prevent removal of the attachment component from the base component.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.Inventors: Edwin L. Stiller, Douglas L. Deaton, Matthew M. Bednarski, Eric L. Stiller, Thomas J. Jayroe, Russel E. Strang
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Patent number: 8683662Abstract: A piercing rib clip has first and second legs defining a space for receiving a rib of a component held thereby and a piercing pin held by at least one of the legs piercing the rib held between the legs.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Brock T. Cooley, James T. Kirchen
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Patent number: 8684321Abstract: A stud retainer is configured to securely retain a fastening stud. The stud retainer includes a base integrally connected to beams that are in turn integrally connected to a wall opposite the base. A stud retainer chamber is defined between the base, the beams, and the wall. A vibration-damping interface extends outwardly from the beams. The vibration-damping interface may include a plurality of fingers. The stud retainer may also include at least one flexible brace extending from said wall toward said base.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Norimichi Shirakabe, Timothy D Pearson, Christopher M Pangallo
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Patent number: 8677573Abstract: A serviceable safety clip for retaining an automotive trim panel to an inner panel. The serviceable safety clip includes a pin secured to the trim panel, wherein the pin includes a plurality of blades that each include a low retention detent and a high retention detent. The serviceable safety clip also includes a receiver that is secured to the inner panel, wherein the receiver includes an angled face to facilitate insertion of the pin detents and a holding face that retains the pin detents.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Yun Shin Lee
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Patent number: 8677572Abstract: A retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongate molding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch. The retainer includes at least one body portion adapted for disposition within the roof ditch in operative connection to a base portion of the roof ditch. The body portion has a length dimension adapted for orientation along a length segment of the roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The body portion includes an arrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to engage an underside of the elongate molding strip. The body portion further includes at least one spring biasing leg disposed at an elevation below the molding attachment elements, the spring biasing leg extends an operative length away from one side of the body portion for contacting, flexing relation with the first sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland
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Patent number: 8671527Abstract: A fastener adapted to join a first component to a second component. The fastener includes a first connecting end adapted to engage a slot opening in the first component, and a second connecting end adapted for press-fit insertion into an opening in the second component. The first connecting end includes a raised edge collar defining a concave surface facing away from the second connecting end and an opposing platform surface disposed above the raised edge collar in spaced relation to the raised edge collar with a post member extending between the raised edge collar and the opposing platform surface. The first connecting end is adapted to hold the first component in sandwiched relation between the raised edge collar and the opposing platform surface. The raised edge collar includes a segmented perimeter wall including a plurality of cut-outs defining substantially independently flexible segments between the cut-outs.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland, Keith Morris
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Patent number: 8671528Abstract: An assembling construction assembles a mountable member to a support member by holding a head portion of a clip on a mounting seat of the mountable member while securely fitting a leg portion in a mounting hole in the support member, the mounting seat has an instruction groove and guide grooves, the head portion of the clip has a first flange portion beam-like strip-shaped elastic pieces and which are brought into press contact with end portions of the guide grooves and stopper projections which are adapted to be brought into engagement with the end portions of the guide grooves when the clip is attempted to be shifted largely relative to the mounting seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventor: Shinichiro Hayashi
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Patent number: 8672601Abstract: A fastening system and method of use is disclosed. The fastening system includes a substrate, an aperture and a fastener. The fastener includes flexible wings that allow for insertion of the fastener into an aperture of a vehicle component.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.Inventor: Olaf Nitsche
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Patent number: 8656563Abstract: To provide a structure of an installation member to be installed to a vehicle outer panel that can prevent rust from developing on a bolt and an outer panel without requiring resist-coating processing. A structure of an installation member to be installed to a vehicle outer panel includes a metallic retaining portion provided to a rear garnish (installation member) to be installed to a vehicle outer panel in order to install this member to this outer panel, a resin-made attachment to be attached to the retaining portion and having no metallic plating film, and a bolt whose head portion is retained by the attachment, wherein the bolt is integrally incorporated to the retaining portion via the attachment and the rear garnish is installed to the outer panel by using the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Sakae Riken Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Hiramatsu, Youji Bitou
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Patent number: 8627553Abstract: A fastening clip for fastening a component to a carrier, has a holding member, the holding member being adapted to be inserted into an opening of the carrier in an insertion direction and the holding member includes a plurality of expansion arms adapted to engage behind the opening of the carrier, and an expansion member adapted to be inserted into a recess of the holding member contrary to the insertion direction so that the expansion arms are transferred from an initial position to an expanded position, wherein the holding member and the expansion member are integrally connected with each other in a preassembly position by connecting webs which each constitute a predetermined breaking point and which are provided in particular between the front end of the holding member viewed in the insertion direction and the rear end of the expansion member viewed in the insertion direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Michel Kuhm, Jerome Maurer, Susanne Balluch
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Patent number: 8613414Abstract: A fastening clip for attaching a component to a stud of a support part has a base part with an opening for accepting the stud. The opening has an axis and has a fastening region and an unlocking region located next to one another perpendicular to the axis. Resilient retaining means for holding the stud in place are arranged in the fastening region, which means are designed such that the stud can be introduced into the fastening region in the direction of the axis and the stud located in the fastening region can be displaced into the unlocking region by a relative movement of the stud and fastening clip perpendicular to the axis of the opening, wherein in the unlocking region the stud can be removed from the opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignees: Newfrey LLC, Audi AGInventors: Frank Rosemann, Christian Kempf, Ansgar Wilting
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Patent number: 8613128Abstract: A push-in fastener assembly includes a fastener having deflectable retainer wings and a guide ring slidable over the retainer wings. The retainer wings and/or the guide ring are shaped to reduce interference of the guide ring sliding over the retainer wings when distorted by the retainer wings. Structure is provided for more secure preassembly of the guide ring on the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Benjamin H. Moerke, Hideki Kanie
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Patent number: 8601650Abstract: An attachment structure for a clip including a mounting member, a retaining hole formed in the mounting member, and a rib. An elastic retaining piece of the clip, while elastically deformed, is inserted into the retaining hole from an outer side of the mounting member toward an inner side to be retained therein. The rib is disposed around the retaining hole and is formed integrally with the mounting member. The rib includes a first rib formed on the inner side of the mounting member and a second rib formed outside, and concentric to, the first rib. The first rib has a thickness such that a clip press-contacting piece abuts the outer side of the mounting member when the elastic retaining piece is inserted in the retaining hole and retained on the rib, and the second rib has a thickness larger than the thickness of the first rib.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Takayoshi Nakagawa
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Patent number: 8601647Abstract: A clip includes a head portion locking one of the attaching member or the attached member; a center support pillar extending downward from the head portion, to be inserted into the attachment holes; auxiliary support pillars extending downward from the head portion such that a longitudinal direction of a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to an extending direction thereof is perpendicular to that of a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to an extending direction of the center support pillar; and a pair of elastic legs interconnected with end portions of the center support pillar and the auxiliary support pillar, and expanding in a V-shape from an end toward the head portion side. Locking portions are provided in end portions of the elastic legs, to lock with the other of the attaching member or the attached member, and empty spaces are provided in the auxiliary support pillar, for housing deformed portions of the elastic legs.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Takahiro Hasegawa, Wataru Kojima
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Patent number: 8601649Abstract: A clip (1) for fixing an element with a groove which is defined by two parallel hook-in edges, includes a tab (30) which is designed such that on two planes (35) and (36) which are parallel to each other it can cooperate with the groove. The tab (30) has a first surface (32) and a second surface (35). The first surface (32) extends completely set back with respect to the first plane (35) and in the thickness of the tab (30) to the second plane (36). The second surface (33) extends completely protruding from the second plane (36) to the outside of the tab (30) and opposite the first surface (32). The first surface (32) and the second surface (33) define an elastically deformable region. The volume defined by the second surface (33) and the second plane (36) is smaller than the volume defined by the first surface (32) and the first plane (35) or is equal to the same.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Jean Luc Klein, Michel Kuhm
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Patent number: 8585121Abstract: A device (20) for fastening a vehicle inner lining (14) to a lining support (12) includes a holding element (22) and a receiving element (24). The receiving element (24) has a latching portion (26) that is laterally open and into which the holding element (22) can engage such that it is fastened to the receiving element (24) in the axial direction. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method of mounting and demounting the vehicle inner lining (14) to or from the lining support (12) by means of this device (20).Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Oliver Marx, Martin Schmidt
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Patent number: 8584325Abstract: A structure for fastening to a trim board a clip that has projection for fastening to a clip fitting seat of the trim board and a second projection for fastening to a vehicle body-side member. The first projection has an engagement portion and the clip fitting seat has multiple latch lugs used to position the clip. A distance between the latch lugs is enlargeable as the engagement portion is engaged therewith. The first projection has at least two types of engagement portions that differ in diameter at locations that are separated in a fastening direction. Thus, the clip is fastened to the clip fitting seat in at least two stages, including one state in which the clip is fastened to the clip fitting seat at low fastening load, and a fastened state that is achieved by fastening the clip to the clip fitting seat at high fastening load.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Onuma
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Patent number: 8578568Abstract: In a clip for fastening to a strip or rib, in particular on a motor vehicle, having a single-piece body made of plastic that has a retaining region, the retaining region has a receiving slot with an insertion opening and a locking finger. The locking finger is attached to a first guide section and extends from its fastening end in the insertion direction and in the direction of a second guide section. The locking finger has an insert that forms a tongue projecting from the free end of the locking finger.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Karin Wimmer, Jens Albach, Hans-Peter Seng, Wolfgang Gerlach, Bastian Stau, Michael Schmidt
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Patent number: 8572818Abstract: A connection assembly for fastening an attaching element on a support (10) comprises a holding clip (16), which can be inserted into a mounting opening (20) of the support (10) and has holders (54) for axially fixing the holding clip (16) to the support (10), and a pin (12), which can be reversibly attached to a coupling piece (14) fastened to the attachment element and inserted into the holding clip (16). The pull-off force of the pin (12) in an intermediate position of the connecting assembly, in which the pin (12) has a first orientation relative to the holding clip (16), is larger than in a mounting position of the connection assembly, in which the pin (12) also has the first orientation and is inserted fully into the holding clip (16).Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbHInventors: Juergen Hofmann, Hubert Loewe
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Patent number: 8567017Abstract: A two-member assembling structure in which a clip mounted to a pedestal of an attachment member is inserted into a clip hole of a mating member, the clip includes a pedestal coupling portion coupled to a rib of the pedestal, an engaging arm adapted to pass through the clip hole while undergoing elastic deformation when the clip is inserted into or removed of the clip hole, an engaging surface formed on an outer side surface of the engaging arm and capable of engaging with a hole edge of the clip hole, a stable portion extending from the engaging surface and opposed to the rib of the pedestal so as to be capable of contacting therewith, and a regulating portion protruding toward the rib of the pedestal from a position in the vicinity of the stable portion. As the pedestal of the attachment member, there are prepared at least three kinds of pedestals for low retention, medium retention, and high retention.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshio Iwahara, Takeo Horiuchi, Jyunya Ukai, Jyun Komeno, Kazuki Fujii
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Patent number: 8561265Abstract: A trim fastener includes a first fastener portion having a post, and first and second deflecting wings connected to an end of the post, each having a wing extending member, the first and second deflecting wings elastically deflectable toward the post. A second fastener portion connected to the first fastener portion includes a first resilient seal member. A second resilient seal member is integrally connected to a seal surface of the first resilient seal member. The second resilient seal member includes first and second wing enclosure portions connected to the wing extending members of the first and second deflecting wings. First and second through bores are oppositely positioned about the post. The first and second through bores temporarily collapse when receiving portions of the first and second wing enclosure portions when the first and second deflecting wings elastically deflect toward the post.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventor: Steven M. Benedetti
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Patent number: 8555469Abstract: A clip may include an anchor portion having a plurality of flexible strips and at least one support strip. Each of the flexible strips is integrally connected to the at least one support strip only via a connecting portion corresponding to a distal end portion of the anchor portion and a connecting portion corresponding to a proximal end portion of the anchor portion. When the anchor portion is pushed into an insertion hole formed in a subject member, the anchor portion is inserted into the insertion hole while each of the flexible strips are flexed toward a longitudinal axis of the anchor portion. Each of the flexible strips is formed such that the difference between a second moment of area of the anchor distal end side connecting portion and a second moment of area of the anchor proximal end side connecting portion is 0-15%.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshio Iwahara, Kazuki Fujii
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Patent number: 8555468Abstract: A magnet fastener includes a carrier connectable to a first component and a magnet for attachment to a second, metal component. The carrier includes structures for holding a magnet assembly including the magnet in a manner that reduces rattle caused by vibration but provides flex so the magnet can articulate and adjust to a surface of the metal component.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Benjamin H. Moerke
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Patent number: 8533919Abstract: A holding element for fastening in a hole of a carrier part has a central shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a supporting part fastened to the far end of the shaft and projecting laterally, and at least one arm, a fastening end of which is fastened movable to the shaft. The arm extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and for some distance from the shaft and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is supportable on the supporting part and in the opposite direction is supportable on a guide part fastened to the front end of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventor: Lothar Schliessner
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Patent number: 8528984Abstract: A retention clip for securing a trim cover. The retention clip may have first and second pads that may be spaced apart from each other and disposed on a first base axis. First and second arms may extend from the first pad. Third and fourth arms may extend from the second pad. A first and second extension arms may extend from the first arm to the third arm and from the second arm to the fourth arm, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Paul Severinski
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Patent number: 8511631Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembling structure including: a mounting member having a mounting seat; and a clip having a head and a leg. The head includes: a neck portion; and first and second flanges outwardly protrudes therefrom to sandwich the mounting seat therebetween, wherein the mounting seat includes: a hole having a diameter larger than that of the neck portion; a groove formed to communicate the hole with outside the mounting seat; and a projection protruding from a peripheral edge of the hole, wherein the second flange includes: an inner face radially-outwardly extending therefrom to gradually come close to the first flange; a top portion; and an outer face further extending to gradually separate from the first flange, and wherein the inner face abuts the projection in an assembled state.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventors: Kouichi Kato, Nobuya Shinozaki, Hiroshi Nakazato
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Patent number: 8495802Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip including: a flange to be abutting a panel having an attaching hole; and a leg portion to be inserted into the attaching hole. The leg portion includes: an engaging part; and a guide part connected thereto. The guide part include: a distal-end tapered part formed to be gradually reduced in an outer diameter toward an inserting direction of the leg portion; a base-end reversely tapered part formed to be gradually reduced in an outer diameter toward the opposite direction; and a diameter enlarged part formed therebetween to have an outer diameter largest among the guide part. The largest outer diameter of the diameter enlarged part is larger than that of a distal end part of the engaging part.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventors: Shigeo Okada, Takeshi Nakajima
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Patent number: 8474110Abstract: A clip apparatus including a housing with a base and a frame. A first retention arm and a second retention arm are rotatably coupled to the base and include a pivoting leg and a retention leg. Upon insertion of the frame into an opening of an outside surface, the opening directs the pivoting leg to rotate the respective retention arm, which, in turn, directs the retention legs into a position wherein the outside surface is sandwiched between the respective retention legs of the retention arms and an inner surface of the base.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Inventor: Anthony M. Sherriff
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Patent number: 8468762Abstract: A spacer accessory including: a shank extending in an axial direction, one end of which includes a mechanism for securing the shank to a structural element of the wall that is to be lined and the other end of which includes a mechanism assembling the shank with lining studwork; two claws surrounding the shank; and a mechanism locking the two claws against one another with axial clamping.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Saint-Gobain IsoverInventor: Dominica Lizarazu
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Patent number: 8443493Abstract: A fastening device for attaching a structural member to a support member includes a lower portion having a shank portion attachable to the support member, and an upper portion having a radial flange at the outer side and an axial passage. The shank portion is insertable into the axial passage of the upper portion from one end thereof. At least one outer side of the shank portion has an axially parallel extending row of saw-tooth-shaped teeth, and a resilient pawl being formed at the axial passage for cooperating with the row of teeth in a ratchet manner, when the upper portion is pushed onto the shank portion in a first direction, to block a displacement of the upper and lower portions in a second, opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Stefan Seidel
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Patent number: 8438707Abstract: A fastener is provided with a snap-fitting leg to be pushed through an opening of a panel, the snap-fitting leg including a flat rigid core which extends in an axial direction and at least one curved flexible flange having an inner longitudinal edge running alongside the core which is separated from a free outer longitudinal edge of the flange by a web with a concave inner surface. A stiffening rib is provided on the concave surface of the web of the flange. The rib connects to the free outer longitudinal edge of the flange at two remote points substantially aligned in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: A. Raymond et CieInventors: Vincent DeGelis, Mathieu Cochard
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Patent number: 8424173Abstract: A spacer clip includes a flange, a shank extending from the flange that can be inserted into a through in a member being attached to, and legs extending from the end part of the shank, connected by hinges to the shank end part so as that they can pivot from an initial attitude to a clamping attitude wherein they are substantially parallel to the flange. Levers extend from root portions of the legs toward the tip ends of the legs so that they can pivot together with the legs. The legs have leg-side pawls in the portions thereof adjacent to the shank end part, which extend to the flange side when the legs are in the clamping attitude; the flange has flange-side pawls for engaging the leg-side pawls and maintaining the legs in the clamping attitude; and slits are formed on either side of the flange-side pawls.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventor: Daisuke Shiba
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Patent number: 8424170Abstract: A plastic hinged trim clip is described. The trim clip may secure two or more components together. The trim clip may include a body and a locking feature. The body may include a first end and a second end located on either side of a fold area. The locking feature may include a first hook located on the first end, and a second hook and first opening located on the second end. The first hook may engage with the second hook and the first opening. The locking feature may engage around one of the components. Each end may include an insertion portion to engage with another component. The locking feature may also include a third hook and a second opening that may engage with one another. The locking feature may increase the ratio of insertion to retention within the components to be greater than 1:2 or 1:3.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Tinnerman Palnut Engineered Products, Inc.Inventors: Jason Reznar, Jeff Cornell
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Patent number: 8419099Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle body panel, a trim panel and a first mounting arrangement. The vehicle body panel includes interior and exterior attached panels. The exterior panel includes a base surface extending along a peripheral edge of the vehicle body panel and a mounting surface that is raised relative to an adjacent portion of the base surface. The mounting surface defines an aperture that extends to an opposite concave surface of the exterior panel. The base surface of the exterior panel abuts the interior panel along a majority of a perimeter of the mounting surface. The trim panel is coupled to the vehicle body panel. The first mounting arrangement couples the trim panel to the vehicle body panel and engages a periphery of the aperture through the mounting surface to at least partially retain the trim panel to the vehicle body panel in an installed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Toshihiro Inoue, Hugo Fortin
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Patent number: 8403356Abstract: Provided is a clip structure which can prevent components from falling off an attaching body or an attached body with a simple structure. Further provided is a holding structure for an internal member of a vehicle which can prevent the components from falling off an exterior member or an interior member with a simple structure. A clip assembly (11) includes a first clip having a clip (34) attached to a bracket (25), and a joint (36) as a removable portion connected to the clip 34; and a pin (38) as a second clip connected to the joint (36) and sandwiching a roof head lining (14) between the pin (38) and the joint (36). A holding load (F5) for releasing connection between the clip (34) and the joint (36) is sufficiently small compared to a holding load (F6) for releasing connection between the joint (36) and the pin (38).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tago, Michinori Kakumu, Sinji Tanaka, Motonori Kitayama
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Patent number: 8393058Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip including: a flange and a leg. The leg includes: a pillar portion that vertically extends from the flange; a tip portion provided at a distal end in an axial direction; a rib that outwardly extends from the pillar portion to be connected to the flange and the tip portion; and an elastic engagement piece that extends from a distal end of the rib in a circumferential direction. The elastic engagement piece includes: a rigid portion that is connected to the rib and that is connected to the flange and the tip portion; and a deformable portion that is extended from the rigid portion and that is disconnected from the flange and the tip portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Piolax Inc.Inventors: Shigeo Okada, Takeshi Nakajima
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Patent number: 8381368Abstract: A centering clip device can include a clip base having an opening for receiving a clip. The clip base can have a top surface that has a first bump, a second bump and a third bump all spaced away from each other. A clip can be included that has a substantially elongated body, a bottom flange formed on a bottom end of the clip, a top flange, an annular slot formed between the top flange and the bottom flange, and an umbrella structure. The top flange may also be formed as an umbrella structure having an inclined camming surface formed on its lower surface. The clip base can be configured to releasably engage the clip within the clip base. The camming surface can be biased against the first, second and third bumps to center the clip within the clip base, and permit connection between a first vehicle component, such as a roofliner, to a second vehicle component, such as a roof frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Haithi Donahue-Yan, Shinichi Yamase, James Seale, Jr.
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Patent number: 8359715Abstract: A trim clip for securing a panel to a structural part is disclosed herein. The trim clip includes: a captivating part having an anchor; a body part having a cavity for receiving the anchor; and means for locking the captivating part to the body part. Wherein the body part is engageable with the structural part and has a first flange for seating against the structural part. Wherein the captivating part has a second flange for seating against the panel. Wherein the captivating part and the body part in an unlocked state have a lateral float, an axial float, and an angular tilt float therebetween. Wherein the captivating part and the body part in a locked state have substantially no lateral float, no axial float, and no angular tilt float therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Phillip M. Turner, Yueh-Se J. Huang, Pei-Chung Wang, Sharon K. Martin
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Patent number: 8347465Abstract: A clip comprises a grommet and a pin, and the grommet has a flange and leg pieces. The flange has a pair of right and left flange bodies, bridges for joining the flange bodies, and an opening portion formed at the center portion thereof. Peripheral walls of the opening portion are formed by the respective end faces of the flange bodies and the bridges, and the right and left peripheral walls formed by the end faces of the flange bodies and the front and rear peripheral walls formed by the end faces of the bridges are offset in a thickness direction, thereby establishing a positional relationship in which the right and left peripheral walls and the front and rear peripheral walls do not intersect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: PIOLAX Inc.Inventor: Oomi Arisaka
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Patent number: 8333540Abstract: A clip has a head portion and a locking leg. The locking leg includes a shaft portion vertically extending from the head portion and a plurality of elastic locking legs which are arranged at given intervals at the outer periphery of the shaft portion. Upper ends of the elastic locking legs are connected to the lower surface of the head portion, and each of the elastic locking legs has two portions on two sides, respectively, of a lower end connected to connection ribs extending from the shaft portion. The outer periphery of the shaft portion except for the connection ribs is arranged within an inner side of an inner periphery of the elastic locking members, such that the locking leg can pass through a mounting hole of a panel without the outer periphery of the shaft portion contacting the inner periphery of the elastic locking members.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventor: Hiroshi Nakazato
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Patent number: 8322782Abstract: Generally provided is a roof-liner assembly for attaching a wire harness to a roof liner, the assembly having a wire harness that is attached to a roof liner by a harness clip and a harness-clip base, wherein the harness clip has a substantially closed-loop element that substantially surrounds the exterior surface of a wire-harness longitudinal section, and wherein the harness-clip base is secured to the roof liner.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mark Shallcross, Todd Hemmert, Saeed Namakydoost
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Patent number: 8316514Abstract: A trim clip includes a tether, a main clip body, and a pin. In the assembled condition, a body securing part and a trim securing part of the main clip body are directly connected. The trim securing part has a leg formed as a hollow tubular member. Flexible first latching pawls are formed in the leg and protrude radially outward from the leg. When the pin is inserted into the leg of the body securing part, then second latching pawls on the inside of the leg engage a latching shoulder on the pin, and pulling up on the pin is limited and inward movement of the first latching pawls is prevented, thus securing of the body securing part to a body panel is strengthened.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Newfry LLCInventor: Takahiro Sano
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Patent number: 8291553Abstract: A trim panel having a clip retention feature is provided. The trim panel is mounted to a support structure of an automotive vehicle by a clip. The clip includes a first flange at one end of the clip and a second flange spaced apart from the first flange. The trim panel includes an inner surface facing a passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle and an opposite outer surface facing the door. A housing having an attachment wall extends from the outer surface towards the door. The attachment wall includes an aperture and a slot extending from the aperture to an edge of the attachment wall for receiving the portion of a clip located between a first flange and second flange. A retention step extends from a bottom side of the attachment wall to restrain the clip within the attachment wall due to contact between an edge of the first flange and the retention step.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Joshua Lewis Moberg
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Patent number: 8286924Abstract: A clip has elastic locking claws at a fixing section to be inserted in a hole of a member. The fixation section (3) of the clip (1) is a hollow box-shaped block and has a rectangular or oval shape with two opposite long sides (L1, L2) and two opposite short sides (S1, S2). The locking claws (15) form a part of the associated long side. One of the locking claws (15) is provided in a diagonal direction relative to the other in the lateral cross section of the fixing section. The locking claws are connected to each other in a space (18) at the center of the fixing section by an elastic claw-connecting section (19). The claw-connecting section (19) applies to the locking claws elasticity that causes the locking claws to project outward. Thus, the elastic locking claws have increased locking force.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, LtdInventors: Takahiro Sano, Tsutomu Sakata
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Patent number: 8276861Abstract: One aspect according to the present invention includes a base portion and a clamp portion. The base portion can be joined to a first member of a vehicle. The clamp portion is formed integrally with the base portion and can joined to a second member of the vehicle. The clamp portion includes a first jaw and a second jaw defining a receiving space therebetween. The receiving space can receive a part of the second member. A support portion is formed on one of the first and second jaws and is positioned within the receiving space. The support portion is resiliently deformable and can apply a pressing force against the part of the second member in a direction toward the other of the first and second jaws during and after insertion of the part of the second member into the receiving space.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuya Ogino, Takeshi Nishimoto
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Publication number: 20120240363Abstract: A serviceable safety clip for retaining an automotive trim panel to an inner panel. The serviceable safety clip includes a pin secured to the trim panel, wherein the pin includes a plurality of blades that each include a low retention detent and a high retention detent. The serviceable safety clip also includes a receiver that is secured to the inner panel, wherein the receiver includes an angled face to facilitate insertion of the pin detents and a holding face that retains the pin detents.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventor: Yun Shin Lee
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Patent number: 8245367Abstract: There is provided a fastener which can be fixed in a mounting hole in an ensured fashion and which can be removed from the mounting hole in an easy and ensured fashion. This fastener 10 includes a main body 20 which is fixed in a mounting hole and a pin member for releasing the engagement of the main body 20 with the mounting hole. The main body 20 has a base portion 21 and a leg portion 30, a pair of elastic engagement pieces 35, 35 are provided on the leg portion 30, and distal end portions 37 of the elastic engagement pieces 35 are extended towards an insertion opening 23 in the pin member 40. The pin member 40 has a head portion 41 and an insertion portion 43, and a pressing surface 48 is provided on the insertion portion 43 for pressing the distal end portions 37 so as to deflect the pair of elastic engagement pieces 35, 35 inwards to such an extent that the elastic engagement pieces are not brought into engagement with the mounting hole when the pin member 40 is pushed in a predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Piolax Inc.Inventors: Kouichi Kato, Shigeo Okada, Takeshi Nakajima
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Patent number: 8240622Abstract: The disclosure concerns a clip having a first shank including a distal end and a proximal end, a head attached to the distal end, a resilient flange attached to the first shank proximate to the proximal end, a second shank extending downwardly from the resilient flange, wherein the second shank includes a free end. A pair of spring members extending obliquely from the free end to the resilient flange, each of the pair of spring members being attached to the resilient flange by a snap-in shoulder, and a pair of longitudinal members extending from the free end and each having a securing element at an opposing end proximate to the resilient flange, wherein the pair of longitudinal members and the securing elements are movable inwardly and outwardly as a result of the pair of spring members flexing inwardly and outwardly, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Gerd Hohmann, Daniel Schneider, Markus Ferdinand