GB2315514A - A vehicle trim panel retaining clip - Google Patents
A vehicle trim panel retaining clip Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2315514A GB2315514A GB9615481A GB9615481A GB2315514A GB 2315514 A GB2315514 A GB 2315514A GB 9615481 A GB9615481 A GB 9615481A GB 9615481 A GB9615481 A GB 9615481A GB 2315514 A GB2315514 A GB 2315514A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- trim panel
- clip
- retaining
- body member
- vehicle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000639 Spring steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
- F16B5/12—Fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates, e.g. rubber strips, decorative strips for motor vehicles, by means of clips
- F16B5/123—Auxiliary fasteners specially designed for this purpose
- F16B5/125—Auxiliary fasteners specially designed for this purpose one of the auxiliary fasteners is comprising wire or sheet material or is made thereof
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
- Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
- Insertion Pins And Rivets (AREA)
Abstract
The clip 10 comprises a projection 44 having non-return leaves 20 thereon for retaining the clip in an aperture 40 in a vehicle body member 42. The clip also has retaining members 24 for holding a blade 32 of a trim panel 30. The retaining members 24 allow insertion of the blade 32 into the clip 10 and subsequent removal of the blade from between the retaining members 24 so as to leave the clip in situ in the body member 42. In that way, the trim panel 30 can be removed from the clip 10 for recycling without having to perform a subsequent operation to remove the clip 10 from the panel 30 after removal of the trim panel from the body member 42.
Description
A VEHICLE TRIM PANEL RETAINING CLIP
The present invention relates to a vehicle trim panel retaining clip particularly, but not exclusively, for use in retaining a trim panel to a post of a motor vehicle body.
Motor vehicles are commonly manufactured from a selection of constituent materials. For example, body panels are typically manufactured from sheet metal and trim panels are normally manufactured from a plastics material.
It is becoming increasingly desirable to produce motor vehicle body parts which can be recycled effectively. For ease of recycling, vehicle parts of different materials need to be easily separated according to material type. In the past, trim panels have typically been fitted to the vehicle body by means of metal clips. On scrapping of the vehicle, the trim panels are removed from the vehicle but since the metal clips are attached to the trim panels, the trim panels cannot be recycled until the clips have been detached. The removal of the clips can be a difficult and time consuming procedure which may increase recycling costs and consequently reduce the incentive for recycling.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle trim panel retaining clip which will enable the trim panel to be removed and recycled without the need for subsequent operations to remove the clip from the trim panel.
According to the invention there is provided a trim panel retaining clip for releasably retaining a trim panel on a vehicle body member, the clip comprising first retention means by which the clip can be non-releasably secured to the body member and second retention means for releasably retaining a portion of the trim panel whereby the trim panel can be released from the clip for recycling leaving the clip in situ on the body member.
With such an arrangement, it will be appreciated that the clip will not become detached from the vehicle as the trim panel is removed for recycling thereby avoiding the problem of having to undertake subsequent operations to remove the clip from the trim panel before recycling can take place.
Preferably, the first retention means comprises nonreturn means on part of the clip for preventing removal of the clip from the body member after assembly thereon. Such an arrangement provides a simple yet effective means of holding the clip on the body member.
In such a case, the non-return means may be arranged to snap outwards from said part of the clip after assembly of the clip on to the body member so as to prevent removal of the clip from the body member.
The non-return means may comprise one or more resilient leaves. Where one or more resilient leaves is/are provided, the or each leaf preferably extends outwardly at an angle from part of the clip and is displaceable inwardly about one end to permit assembly of the clip on to said body member. In a preferred embodiment, the or each leaf is displaceable into an opening formed in said part of the clip during assembly of the clip on to said body member.
The opening may conveniently be formed by punching the or each leaf outwardly from said part of the clip during the manufacture of the clip. In that respect, the or each leaf is formed in a particularly straightforward manner.
Preferably, the aforesaid part of the clip is a projection insertable in an aperture in said body member and the non-return means prevents withdrawal of the projection from the aperture.
The clip may comprise at least one abutment member arranged such that when the clip is mounted on the body member, the body member lies between the first retention means and the or each abutment member. In that way, the clip is securely held on the body member. In order to minimise the risk of the clip rattling against the body member the or each abutment member may be resilient so that the body member will be gripped resiliently by the clip between the first retention means and the or each abutment member.
The second retention means mentioned above may comprise a retaining member which is resiliently displaceable by said portion of the trim panel as the trim panel is assembled on to the clip to permit the retention and release of the trim panel. In the preferred embodiment, the second retention means comprises two retaining members which are resiliently displaceable by said portion of the trim panel as the trim panel is assembled on to the clip to permit the retention of the said portion therebetween and to permit the release of the trim panel. In order to provide easy assembly of the trim panel on to the clip, the or each retaining member may have a camming surface which co-operates with the said portion of the trim panel so that the or each retaining member will be easily displaced by the portion of the trim panel as the said portion of the trim panel is engaged with the clip. Preferably, the or each retaining member has a camming surface which cooperates with the said portion of the trim panel so that the said portion can displace the or each retaining member to permit removal thereof from the clip.
The said portion of the trim panel preferably has a projection thereon which, in use, is trapped by the second retention means to retain the trim panel. The projection may be formed with a camming surface for co-operation with the camming surface of the or each retaining member.
Preferably, the projection is provided on one side of the said portion of the trim panel only to facilitate moulding of the trim panel.
The trim panel may include a stop member for abutment against a portion of the clip when the said portion of the trim panel is retained by the second retention means.
Preferably, the second retention means urges the stop member against the said portion of the clip.
Where one or more of the aforesaid abutment members is provided, the stop member of the trim panel preferably abuts against the or each abutment member of the clip.
A vehicle trim panel retaining clip in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig 1 is an end elevation of a retaining clip in
accordance with the invention,
Fig 2 is a side view of the clip shown in Fig 1 and
Fig 3 shows a view of the clip of Fig 1 in position on
a vehicle body and retaining a trim panel.
A retaining clip 10 is formed in one piece from material such as spring steel. The clip comprises two side portions 12 interconnected by means of a bridge section 14.
The side portions terminate at their lower ends as shown in the drawings at two outwardly and upwardly projecting abutment members 16.
Each of the side portions 12 is formed with two slots 18 (Fig 2). Each slot 18 extends inwardly from an edge of its side portion 12 and then turns through a right angle so as to extend towards the bridge portion 14. The forming of the slots 18 results in the formation of two leaves 20 on each side portion 12. As will be appreciated from Figs 1 and 3, each of the leaves 20 is bent outwardly about its upper end as viewed in the drawings so as to project from the side members 12.
Each side member 12 is also formed with an inverted U shaped slot 22 so as to provide retaining members 24 for the trim panel. As will be appreciated from Figs 1 and 3, the retaining members 24 are bent inwardly towards each other with their upper ends bent outwardly away from each other. The forming of the upper ends of the retaining members 24 in that way provides curved camming surfaces 26 the function of which will be described below.
As shown in Fig 3, a trim panel 30 has a portion extending therefrom in the form of a blade 32. The upper end of the blade 32 as viewed in the drawing is formed with a projection 34. The projection has a first inclined camming surface 35 and a second more steeply inclined camming surface 36. It will also be noted that the trim panel 30 is formed with a transverse web 38 constituting the aforesaid stop member.
In use, the blade 32 of the trim panel 30 is initially assembled on to the clip 10 by pushing the projection 34 into the clip so that the camming surface 35 contacts the camming surface 26 of the right hand retaining member 24.
The pushing in of the projection 34 causes the retaining members 24 to be moved apart to allow the projection 34 to move into the position shown in Fig 3. As the retaining members 24 are moved apart, they enter openings 25 which are formed as the retaining members are bent inwardly during the manufacture of the clip. In Fig 3, it will be appreciated that the retaining members have closed behind the projection 34 to trap the projection 34 and inhibit release of the trim panel 30 from the clip 10. The interengagement of the camming surface 26 and the camming surface 36 as shown in Fig 3 urges the web 38 firmly against the abutment members 16 so that the clip and trim panel 50 are firmly secured together. The provision of the projection 34 on one side of the blade 32 simplifies moulding of the trim panel.
With the clip 10 in position on the trim panel 30, the clip is then located in an aperture 40 formed in a vehicle body member 42 such as a post. The side portions 12 and bridge section 14 together form a projection 44 which is inserted into the aperture 40. The step of inserting the projection 44 causes the sides of the aperture 40 to urge the leaves 20 inwardly so that they pass through the aperture. As will be noted from Fig 3, the outer ends of the abutment members 16 contact one side of the body member 42 and continued inward movement of the projection 44 causes the abutment members 16 to flex slightly until the leaves 20 clear the aperture 40 and are able to snap outwards into the position shown in Fig 3. In that way, the clip 10 will be secured firmly on to the body member 42 with the body member resiliently gripped between the abutment members 16 and the leaves 20. In that way, the clip 1v will not be loose to rattle on the body member 42.
In order to remove the trim panel 30, the trim panel is urged firmly away from body panel 42 so that the camming surface 36 of the projection 54 acts on the camming surface 26 of the right hand retaining member 24 and causes the retaining members 24 to be moved apart to enable the blade 32 to be withdrawn from the clip. However, the non-return effect of the leaves 20 ensures that the clip 10 remains in situ on the body member 42 and does not subsequently need to be removed from the trim panel 30 thereby avoiding the problem present with prior art trim panel fixings. In that way, materials for recycling can be sorted easily.
As the camming surface 36 is more steeply inclined than the camming surface 35, greater force will be required to remove the trim panel 30 than to assemble it on to the clip 10. In that way, the trim panel 30 is unlikely to become detached from the clip 10 in normal use.
Claims (20)
1. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip for releasably
retaining a trim panel on a vehicle body member, the
clip comprising first retention means by which the clip
can be non-releasably secured to the body member and
second retention means for releasably retaining a
portion of the trim panel whereby the trim panel can be
released from the clip for recycling leaving the clip
in situ on the body member.
2. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 1 in which the first retention means comprises
non-return means on part of the clip for preventing
removal of the clip from the body member after assembly
thereon.
3. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 2 in which the non-return means is arranged to
snap outwards from said part of the clip after assembly
of the clip on to the body member so as to prevent
removal of the clip from the body member.
4. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 2 or 3 in which the non-return means comprises
one or more resilient leaves.
5. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 4 in which the or each resilient leaf normally
extends outwardly at an angle from part of the clip and
is displaceable inwardly about one end to permit
assembly of the clip on to said body member.
6. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 5 in which during assembly of the clip on to said
body member, the or each leaf is displaceable into an
opening formed in said part of the clip.
7. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to any
of Claims 2 to 6 in which said part of the clip is a
projection insertable in an aperture in said body
member and the non-return means prevents withdrawal of
the projection from the aperture.
8. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to any
preceding Claim in which the clip comprises at least
one abutment member arranged such that when the clip is
mounted on the body member, the body member lies
between the first retention means and the or each
abutment member.
9. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 8 in which the or each abutment member is
resilient whereby the body member is gripped
resiliently by the clip between the first retention
means and the or each abutment member.
10. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to any
preceding Claim in which the second retention means
comprises a retaining member which is resiliently
displaceable by said portion of the trim panel as the
trim panel is assembled on to the clip to permit the
retention and release of the trim panel.
11. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 10 in which the second retention means comprises
two retaining members which are resiliently
displaceable by said portion of the trim panel to
permit the retention and the release of the trim panel.
12. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 10 or 11 in which the or each retaining member
has a camming surface which co-operates with the said
portion of the trim panel so that said portion will
displace the or each retaining member as it is
introduced into the clip.
13. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 10, 11 or 12 in which the or each retaining
member has a camming surface which co-operates with the
said portion of the trim panel so that the said portion
can displace the or each member to permit removal
thereof from the clip.
14. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to any
preceding Claim including the trim panel, the said
portion of the trim panel having a projection thereon
which, in use, is trapped by the second retention means
to retain the trim panel.
15. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 14 when appendant to Claim 12 or 13 in which the
projection is formed with a camming surface for co
operation with the camming surface of the or each
retaining member.
16. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 14 or 15 in which the projection is provided on
one side of the said portion of the trim panel only to
facilitate moulding of the trim panel.
17. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to any
preceding Claim including the trim panel in which the
trim panel includes a stop member which abuts against a
portion of the clip when the said portion of the trim
panel is retained by the second retention means.
18. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 17 in which the retention of the projection by
the second retention means urges the stop member
against said portion of the clip.
19. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip according to
Claim 17 or 18 when appendant to Claim 8 or 9 in which
the portion of the clip which abuts the stop member
comprises the or each abutment member of the clip.
20. A vehicle trim panel retaining clip constructed and
arranged substantially as described herein with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9615481A GB2315514A (en) | 1996-07-23 | 1996-07-23 | A vehicle trim panel retaining clip |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9615481A GB2315514A (en) | 1996-07-23 | 1996-07-23 | A vehicle trim panel retaining clip |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9615481D0 GB9615481D0 (en) | 1996-09-04 |
| GB2315514A true GB2315514A (en) | 1998-02-04 |
Family
ID=10797392
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9615481A Withdrawn GB2315514A (en) | 1996-07-23 | 1996-07-23 | A vehicle trim panel retaining clip |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2315514A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE20205094U1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2003-08-14 | Lindner AG, 94424 Arnstorf | Connecting element for components that are provided with an elongated recess |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB836121A (en) * | 1956-03-08 | 1960-06-01 | Ft Products Ltd | Improvements relating to fasteners |
| GB895535A (en) * | 1960-02-12 | 1962-05-02 | Ft Products Ltd | An improved fastener |
| GB949994A (en) * | 1961-07-14 | 1964-02-19 | Carr Fastener Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to fastening devices |
| GB1004798A (en) * | 1962-09-27 | 1965-09-15 | Albert Victor Raymond | An improved moulding clip |
| US4683622A (en) * | 1986-03-06 | 1987-08-04 | Eaton Corporation | Releasable fastener |
| US5106223A (en) * | 1990-05-07 | 1992-04-21 | Trw United-Carr Gmbh Co., K.G. | Connection assembly for use between a support and a plate element |
| US5168604A (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-12-08 | A. Raymond Et Cie | Two-part fastening clip |
| US5353571A (en) * | 1991-05-29 | 1994-10-11 | Pebra, Inc. | Mounting of body moulding and related assemblies |
-
1996
- 1996-07-23 GB GB9615481A patent/GB2315514A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB836121A (en) * | 1956-03-08 | 1960-06-01 | Ft Products Ltd | Improvements relating to fasteners |
| GB895535A (en) * | 1960-02-12 | 1962-05-02 | Ft Products Ltd | An improved fastener |
| GB949994A (en) * | 1961-07-14 | 1964-02-19 | Carr Fastener Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to fastening devices |
| GB1004798A (en) * | 1962-09-27 | 1965-09-15 | Albert Victor Raymond | An improved moulding clip |
| US4683622A (en) * | 1986-03-06 | 1987-08-04 | Eaton Corporation | Releasable fastener |
| US5106223A (en) * | 1990-05-07 | 1992-04-21 | Trw United-Carr Gmbh Co., K.G. | Connection assembly for use between a support and a plate element |
| US5168604A (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1992-12-08 | A. Raymond Et Cie | Two-part fastening clip |
| US5353571A (en) * | 1991-05-29 | 1994-10-11 | Pebra, Inc. | Mounting of body moulding and related assemblies |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE20205094U1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2003-08-14 | Lindner AG, 94424 Arnstorf | Connecting element for components that are provided with an elongated recess |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9615481D0 (en) | 1996-09-04 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US10202084B2 (en) | System for fastening a door module to a car door | |
| US7073231B2 (en) | Tether clip system | |
| EP0795090B1 (en) | Mounting clip | |
| US5168604A (en) | Two-part fastening clip | |
| EP0899466A1 (en) | Trim clip | |
| EP0794353A1 (en) | Cord fastener | |
| EP1630426A2 (en) | Double clip fastener device with retaining plate | |
| US20080193250A1 (en) | Fixing Rivet | |
| US10995783B2 (en) | Fastener clip assembly with a dome and limiters | |
| US4690040A (en) | Snap-in screen frame and mounting for same | |
| CN101312859A (en) | fastener | |
| US6824201B2 (en) | Pillar trim structure | |
| US20160230791A1 (en) | Fastener for two fastening states | |
| US6926349B2 (en) | Mount for securing a part to a support and for positioning it relative to its surroundings, in particular a motor vehicle bodywork part | |
| JP4375877B2 (en) | clip | |
| US5099549A (en) | Retaining clip | |
| JP3355343B2 (en) | Seat slide device | |
| US4916778A (en) | Device for securing car seat | |
| GB2315514A (en) | A vehicle trim panel retaining clip | |
| JPS6228883Y2 (en) | ||
| KR19980024851A (en) | Device for attaching gas bag cover | |
| US20050072051A1 (en) | Self-fastening glass attachment clip | |
| DE10210383B4 (en) | mounting spring | |
| US4486985A (en) | Molding clip | |
| JP4125012B2 (en) | clip |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |