GB2555118B

GB2555118B - Parts of a gap controlling clip, a gap controlling clip and a method

Info

Publication number: GB2555118B
Application number: GB1617669.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Quentin Mann Alexander; Mark Wilden Raymond
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-19
Filing date: 2016-10-19
Publication date: 2019-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-19
Also published as: GB201617669D0; GB2555118A

Description

PARTS OF A GAP CONTROLLING CLIP, A GAP CONTROLLING CLIP AND A METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to parts of a gap controlling clip, a gap controlling clip and a method. In particular, but not exclusively it relates to parts of a gap controlling clip, a gap controlling clip and a method in a vehicle.

Aspects of the invention relate to a female part of a gap controlling clip, a male part of a gap controlling clip, a gap controlling clip, a part of a vehicle, a vehicle and a method.

BACKGROUND

In prior systems it can be difficult to reliably control a gap between two separate parts, for example in a vehicle, due to manufacturing tolerances involved in the making of the parts.

For example, when locating a headliner adjacent a sunroof in a vehicle, it can be difficult to control the gap between the headliner and the sunroof.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a female part of a gap controlling clip, a male part of a gap controlling clip, a gap controlling clip, a part of a vehicle, a vehicle and a method as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a female part of a gap controlling clip comprising: a connection portion configured to attach to a vehicle part; a receiving portion defining an aperture for receiving an attachment portion of a corresponding male part along a first axis, the receiving portion comprising first engagement means for cooperating with second engagement means of the male part when the attachment portion of the corresponding male part is located in the receiving portion to retain the attachment portion of the male part in the receiving portion in one of a plurality of positions along the first axis. The first engagement means comprises a resiliently biased tab configured to be pushed to disengage the first engagement means from the second engagement means to allow the male part to be removed from the female part.

The first engagement means may comprise at least one protrusion configured to cooperate with a plurality of engagement positions of the second engagement means when the attachment portion of the male part is located in the receiving portion. The first engagement means may comprise at least one protrusion configured to cooperate with a plurality of teeth of the second engagement means when the attachment portion of the male part is located in the receiving portion

The receiving portion may comprise at least one rib to limit the area of contact between the receiving portion and the attachment portion of the male part when the attachment portion of the male part is located in the receiving portion.

The connection portion may be configured to be attached to a flange.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a male part of a gap controlling clip comprising: a connection portion configured to attach to a vehicle part and extending in at least a first direction; an attachment portion comprising second engagement means for cooperating with first engagement means of a receiving portion of a female part such that when the attachment portion is received along a first axis of a receiving portion, the attachment portion can be retained in the receiving portion in one of a plurality of positions; and at least one abutment portion extending beyond the connection portion in the first direction.

The second engagement means may be arranged to cooperate with the first engagement means such that the male part is separable from the female part.

The attachment portion may be the at least one abutment portion.

The attachment portion may extend at least in the first direction and is distinct from the at least one abutment portion.

The second engagement means may comprise a plurality of engagement positions.

The second engagement means may comprise a plurality of teeth.

The at least one abutment portion may comprise at least one resiliently biased flap for abutment with a surface of a vehicle.

The connection portion may be configured to be attached to a headliner.

The at least one abutment portion may extend beyond the connection portion in the first direction by a predetermined amount.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gap controlling clip comprising the combination of a female part as described in any preceding paragraph and a male part as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a part of a vehicle comprising a female part of a gap controlling clip as described in any preceding paragraph and/or a male part of a gap controlling clip as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a female part of a gap controlling clip as described in any preceding paragraph and/or a male part of a gap controlling clip as described in any preceding paragraph.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: locating the attachment portion of a male part as described in any preceding paragraph in the aperture of the receiving portion of a female part as described in any preceding paragraph to engage the first and second engagement means to retain the attachment portion in the receiving portion.

The method may comprise moving the attachment portion through the receiving portion in the first direction until the at least one abutment portion of the male part comes into contact with a surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates male and female parts of a gap controlling clip according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a gap controlling clip according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2B is a further perspective view of the gap controlling clip of Fig 2A;

Fig. 3 is a view in cross-section of a gap controlling clip;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an example of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig.5 illustrates an example of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a female part 2 of a gap controlling clip 4.

In the illustrated example, the female part 2 comprises a connection portion 6 and a receiving portion 10.

In Fig 1, the connection portion 6 is configured to attach to a vehicle part 8. The connection portion 6 may take any suitable form to be attached to a vehicle part 8. For example, the connection portion 6 may be configured to be pushed onto a vehicle part 8 to attach the vehicle part 8.

In some examples, the connection portion 6 is configured to be attached to a flange 30. See, for example, Fig. 3. In some examples, the flange 30 is a rail flange such as a cant rail flange.

In examples, the receiving portion 10 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding male part 16. The receiving portion 10 may be of any suitable form, size and/or shape. For example the receiving portion may be cuboid or rectangular cuboid in shape.

In examples, the receiving portion 10 defines an aperture 12 for receiving an attachment portion 14 of a corresponding male part 16. In some examples, the receiving portion 10 defines an aperture for receiving an attachment portion 14 of a corresponding male part 16 along a first axis. The aperture 12 may be of any suitable form, size and/or shape.

For example, the aperture 12 may have a form, size and/or shape to allow insertion of the attachment portion 14 of the corresponding male part 16 into the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10.

In some examples, the aperture 12 may be rectangular or square in shape. See, for example, Figs 2A and 2B.

In examples the form, size and/or shape of the receiving portion is dictated by the form, size and/or shape of the aperture 12.

In examples, the receiving portion 10 comprises first engagement means 18 for cooperating with second engagement means 20 of a male part 16, when the attachment portion 14 of the corresponding male part 16 is located in the receiving portion 10, to retain the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 in the receiving portion 10.

In some examples, the receiving portion 10 comprises first engagement means 18 for cooperating with second engagement means 20 of a male part 16, when the attachment portion 14 of the corresponding male part 16 is located in the receiving portion 10, to retain the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 in the receiving portion 10 in one of a plurality of positions along the first axis.

In examples, any suitable engagement means may be used as the first engagement means 18. The first engagement means may be referred to as female engagement means as they are located on the female part 2. The use of the term female engagement means is intended to clarify that they are engagement means of the female part 2 and not to imply any features of the engagement means.

In some examples, the first engagement means 18 are configured to releasably hold the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 in the receiving portion 10.

In examples, the first engagement means 18 comprises a resiliently biased tab 22 configured to be pushed to disengage the first engagement means 18 from the second engagement means 20 to allow the male part 16 to be removed from the female part 2. See, for example, Figs 2A, 2B and 3.

In some examples the female part 2 is separable from the male part 16. In examples the first engagement means 18 are arranged to cooperate with the second engagement means 20 such that the female part 2 is separable from the male part 16.

In some examples, the first engagement means 18 comprises at least one protrusion 24 configured to cooperate with a plurality of engagement positions of the second engagement means or ratchet 20 when the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 is located in the receiving portion 10. In some examples, the plurality of engagement positions are provided by a plurality of teeth 26. See, for example, Figs 2A, 2B and 3.

The releasable attachment of male part 16 and female part 2 provide advantages as, for example, it allows two vehicle parts 8 to be brought together in a releasable fashion to allow for replacement or repair of the vehicle parts without destroying the gap controlling clip 4.

In examples, the receiving portion 10 comprises at least one rib (not illustrated) to limit the area of contact between the receiving portion 10 and the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 when the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 is located in the receiving portion 10.

This is advantageous as, for example, it provides for a reduction in noise, such as rattles and squeaks, when the gap controlling clip 4 is used in a vehicle.

In examples, the receiving portion 10, and associated aperture 12 define an axis 50 (see, for example, Fig 3), along which the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 moves when the attachment portion 14 is located in the receiving portion 10.

In some examples, the connection portion 6 and receiving portion 10 are arranged to allow movement of the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 along the axis 50 substantially perpendicularly to the vehicle part 8 to which the female part 2 is attached. See, for example, Figs 2A and 3.

The female part 2 may be manufactured in any suitable manner. For example, the female part 2 may be a pressing, injection moulding or compression moulding as a single item or part of a surface moulding.

In examples, the female part 2 may be made of any suitable material. For example, PC-ABS and/or Nylon and so on. The female part 2 may be any suitable size, for example the female part 2 may be 6-7cm across.

Fig. 1 also schematically illustrates an example of a male part 16 of a gap controlling clip 4.

In the example of Fig. 1, the male part 16 comprises a connection portion 32, an attachment portion 14 and at least one abutment portion 36.

In examples, the connection portion 32 is configured to attach to a vehicle part 8 and extends in at least a first direction 34. See, for example, Figs 2A, 2B and 3. The connection portion 32 may take any suitable form to be attached to a vehicle part 8.

The connection portion 32 may be of any suitable shape, size and/or form. For example, the connection portion 32 may comprise a suitable surface to allow a vehicle part 8, such as a headliner 52 (see, for example, Fig 3), to be attached to the connection portion 32. That is, in examples, the connection portion 32 is configured to be attached to a headliner 52.

In examples, the connection portions 6, 32 are configured to attach to any suitable vehicle part(s) 8.

In examples the attachment portion is configured to cooperate with the female part 2 to retain the male part 16 in the female part 2.

The attachment portion 14 may be of any suitable shape, size and/or form. For example, the attachment portion 14 may have a shape, size and/or form corresponding to the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2.

In some examples, the attachment 14 may comprise/be a protrusion or tab. For example, the attachment portion 14 may be cuboid or rectangular cuboid in shape and, in some examples, the attachment portion 14 tapers to allow ease of locating the attachment portion 14 into the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10. See, for example, Figs 2A and 2B.

In examples, the attachment portion 14 comprises second engagement means 20 for cooperating with first engagement means 18 of a receiving portion 10 of a female part 2, for example, when the attachment portion 14 is located in the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2, to retain the attachment portion 14 in the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2.

In some examples, the attachment portion 14 comprises second engagement means 20 for cooperating first engagement means 18 of a receiving portion 10 of a female part 2 such that when the attachment portion 14 is received along a first axis 50 of a receiving portion 10, the attachment portion 14 can be retained in the receiving portion 10 in one of a plurality of positions.

In examples, any suitable second engagement means 20 for cooperating with first engagement means 18 of a receiving portion 10 of a female part 2 may be used. The second engagement means 20 may be referred to as male engagement means as they are located on the male part 16. The use of the term male engagement means is intended to clarify that they are engagement means of the male part 16 and not to imply any features of the engagement means.

In some examples, the second engagement means 20 comprises a plurality of engagement positions. In some examples, the plurality of engagement positions may be provided by a plurality of teeth 26 See, for example, Figs 2A and 3.

For example, the second engagement means 20 may comprise a plurality of ratchets 26 to cooperate with a protrusion or protrusions 24 of the first engagement means 18 of the female part 2.

In examples the male part 16 is separable from the female part 2.

In some examples the second engagement means 20 releasably engages with the first engagement means 18 to allow the male part 16 to be removed from the female part 2.

In some examples the second engagement means 20 are arranged to cooperate with the first engagement means 18 such that the male part 16 is separable from the female part 2.

In examples, the at least one abutment portion 36 extends beyond the connection portion 32 in the first direction 34.

Any suitable abutment portion(s) may be used and may have any suitable form, shape and/or size. For example, one or more protrusions, legs and/or guide legs may be used as the at least one abutment portion 36.

In some examples, the attachment portion 14 may extend beyond the connection portion 32 in the first direction 34 to act as at least one abutment portion 36.

That is, in examples, the attachment portion 14 is the at least one abutment portion 36.

In some examples, the attachment portion 14 extends at least in the first direction 34 and is distinct from the at least one abutment portion 36.

For example, the attachment portion 14 may be connected to the at least one abutment portion 36 as part of the male part 16 but may extend separately in the first direction 34. See, for example, Figs 2A, 2B and 3.

In some examples, the at least one abutment portion 36 comprises at least one resiliently biased flap 38 for abutment with a surface 40 of a vehicle 46. See, for example, Fig. 2A.

This is advantageous as the resiliently biased flap(s) 38 provides for a reduction in noise when the gap controlling clip 4 is used in a vehicle 46 for example.

In some examples, the at least one abutment portion 36 extends beyond the connection portion 32 in the first direction 34 by a predetermined amount. See, for example, Fig. 2A.

This is advantageous as this allows the gap between the vehicle parts 8 to be controlled regardless of manufacturing tolerances of the parts to which the female part 2 and the male part 16 are attached. This is because the manufacturing tolerances involved in the gap controlling clip 4 may be significantly smaller than those involved in the manufacturing of the various vehicle parts. See, for example, Fig. 2A.

The male part 16 may be manufactured in any suitable manner. For example, the male part 16 may be an injection moulding or pressing.

In examples, the male part 16 may be made of any suitable material. For example, PC-ABS and/or Nylon and so on. The male part 16 may be any suitable size, for example the male part 16 may be 6-7cm across.

In examples, the male part 16 may be made from different materials or the same materials as the female part 2.

Fig. 1 also illustrates an example of a gap controlling clip 4. In the example of Fig. 1, the gap controlling clip 4 comprises the combination of a female part 2 as described in relation to Fig. 1 and a male part 16 as described in relation to Fig. 1.

In examples, the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 may be located in the aperture 18 of the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2 to engage the first and second engagement means 18, 20. This allows the male part 16 to be engaged with the female part 2. For example, the first and second engagement means may lock the male part 16 in place in the female part 2.

In some examples, the male part 16 is releasably attached to the female part 2.

Fig. 1 also illustrates an example of a part of vehicle or vehicle part 8 comprising a female part 2 of a gap controlling clip 4 as described in relation to Fig. 1 and/or a male part 16 of a gap controlling clip 4 as described in relation to Fig. 1 and/or a gap controlling clip 4 as described in relation to Fig. 1.

Although Fig. 1 illustrates a female part 2, a male part 16 and a gap controlling clip 4, it is intended that the female part 2 and/or the male part 16 may be considered both in isolation and when engaged together to form the gap controlling clip 4.

Fig. 2A illustrates an example of a gap controlling clip 4.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the gap controlling clip 4 comprises a female part 2 and a male part 16. In the example of Fig. 2A, the female part 2, the male part 16 and the gap controlling clip 4 are as described in relation to Fig. 1.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the female part 2 comprises a generally cuboid connection portion 6 defining a rectangular aperture 12; the receiving portion 10 comprising first engagement means 18.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the connection portion 6 of the female part 2 is configured to be attached to a flange 30. See, for example, Fig. 3.

In Fig. 2A, the first engagement means 18 comprises a resiliently biased tab 22.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the resiliently biased tab 22 is generally cuboid in shape and tapers toward one end. However, in examples, the resiliently biased tab 22 may take any suitable shape, size and/or form.

In Fig. 2A, the resiliently biased tab 22 extends through the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10.

The resiliently biased tab 22 of Fig. 2A comprises a protrusion 24 configured to cooperate or engage with second engagement means 20 on the male part 16. The protrusion 24 is not visible in the example of Fig. 2A. See, for example Fig. 3.

In examples the resiliently biased tab may comprises a plurality of protrusions 24.

In Fig. 2A, the aperture 12 is generally rectangular in shape, corresponding to the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16. However, in examples, the aperture 12 may take any suitable shape, size and/or form.

In Fig. 2A, the male part 16 comprises a connection portion 32, an attachment portion 14 and a plurality of abutment portions 36. In the example of Fig. 2A, there are two abutment portions 36.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the attachment portion 14 is a protrusion or tab that is generally cuboid or rectangular-cuboid in shape and tapers at one end. However, in examples, the attachment portion 14 may be of any suitable shape, size and/or form.

In Fig. 2A, the attachment portion 14 comprises second engagement means 20. In Fig. 2A, the second engagement means comprises a plurality of teeth 26 configured to cooperate with the first engagement means 18 of the female part 2. For example, the plurality of teeth 26 on the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 is configured to cooperate with the protrusion(s) 24 on the resiliently biased tab 22 of the female part 2.

The attachment portion 14 is sized to fit securely in the aperture 12 of the female part 2 and is tapered to allow for easy location of the attachment portion 14 in the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2.

In Fig. 2A, the connection portion 32 comprises a substantially smooth surface for attachment to a vehicle part 8. In the example of Fig. 2A, the connection portion 32 is configured to be attached to a headliner 52.

In Fig. 2A, the connection portion 32 is a sheet of material that curves around the other features of the male part. However, in examples, the connection portion 32 may take any suitable size, shape and/or form.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the abutment portions 36 are located either side of the attachment portion 14 along a plane of the attachment portion 14.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the abutment portions 36 are protrusions/legs/guide legs and are substantially cuboid or rectangular-cuboid in shape.

In the illustrated example, the connection portion 32 is attached to each of the abutment portions 36 by connecting portions or ribs.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the attachment portion 14 and abutment portions 36 are connected to a common portion at one end, the lower end in the illustrated example.

In Fig. 2A, each abutment portion 36 comprises a resiliently biased flap 38 at the end of the abutment portion 36 that is to abut a surface 40 of a vehicle 46, for example, and opposite to the end sharing the common portion.

In the example, the resiliently biased flaps 38 are configured to abut against the surface 40 of a vehicle 46 when the male part 16 is engaged with the female part 2 to prevent squeaks, rattles and so on.

In Fig. 2A, the attachment portion 14, connection portion 32 and abutment portions 36 extend at least in a first direction 34.

In examples, the first direction 34 is generally aligned with an axis 50 (see Fig 3) defined by the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2 along which, the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 is moved when the attachment portion 14 is located in the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the abutment portions 36 extend beyond the connection portion 32 by a predetermined amount.

This allows the attachment portion 14 to be located in the aperture 12 and moved along the axis 50 defined by the aperture 12, generally corresponding with the first direction 34, until the abutment portions 36 abut a surface 40 of a vehicle 46, for example. In use, the abutment of the abutment portions 36 with the surface 40 of the vehicle 46 limits travel of the attachment portion 14 through the aperture 12.

The abutment of the abutment portions 36 on the surface 40 and the predetermined distance that the abutment portions 36 extend in the first direction 34 beyond the connection portion 32 allows for control of the distance between the connection portion 32 and the surface 40 and therefore between, for example, a headliner 52 of a vehicle 46 and the surface 40. See, for example, Fig. 3.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the abutment portions 36 are distinct from the attachment portion 14 as they extend separately in the first direction 34 despite sharing a common portion with the attachment portion 14.

In some examples, the abutment portion(s) 36 extends from the attachment portion 14. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment portion 14 may extend beyond the connection portion 32 to act as the abutment portion(s) 36.

In such examples, the abutment portions 36 illustrated in the example of Fig. 2A may also be present or may be omitted.

In examples where the attachment portion 14 acts as the abutment portion(s) 36, the attachment portion 14 may be made of a sufficiently pliable material to allow the attachment portion 14 to be pushed out of the way to enable access to the engagement means 18 of the female part 2 to release the male part 16.

In the example of Fig. 2A, the attachment portion 14 is located in the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2 and the first and second engagement means 18, 20 are engaged to lock the male part 16 in place in the female part 2.

Although a single attachment portion 14 has been illustrated in the example of Fig. 2A, in other examples, a plurality of attachment portions 14 and corresponding receiving portions 10 may be used. Similarly, in the example of Fig. 2A, a plurality of abutment portions 36 are illustrated, however, in some examples, only one abutment portion 36 may be used or more abutment portions may be used.

Fig 2A illustrates a gap controlling clip 4 comprising: a female part 2 as described herein; a male part 16 as described herein, wherein the attachment portion 14 is located in the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 and the first and second engagement means 18, 20 are engaged.

Fig. 2B illustrates an example of a gap controlling clip 4.

The example of Fig. 2B illustrates a plan view of the example illustrated and described in relation to Fig. 2A. This can be seen by the first direction 34 which, in the example of Fig. 2B, is out of the page.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a cross-section of a gap controlling clip 4.

In the example of Fig. 3, the female part 2 of the gap controlling clip 4, the male part 16 of the gap controlling clip 4 and the gap controlling clip 4 may be as described in relation to Fig. 1.

The gap controlling clip 4 illustrated in the example of Fig. 3 is similar to the gap controlling clip 4 illustrated in the example of Figs 2A and 2B. However, in the example of Fig. 3, the gap controlling clip 4 is attached to a flange 30 in a vehicle 46 adjacent a surface 40 of the vehicle 46.

Accordingly, the example of Fig. 3 also illustrates a vehicle part 8 comprising a gap controlling clip 4 and a vehicle 46 comprising a gap controlling clip 4.

In the example of Fig 3 the connection portion 32 of the male part 16 is attached to a headliner 52.

In the example of Fig. 3, the attachment portion 14 of the male part 16 has been inserted into the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2 along the first direction 34, which aligns substantially with the axis 50 defined by the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10.

In the example of Fig. 3, the abutment portions 36 (not illustrated in Fig. 3) have abutted against the surface 40 and limited travel of the attachment portion 14 along the first direction 34.

As can be seen in the example of Fig. 3, the resiliently biased tab 22 comprises a protrusion 24 that is engaged with the plurality of teeth 26 on the attachment portion 14. The cooperation of the protrusion 24 with the plurality of teeth 26 locks the attachment portion 14 in place at the location at which the abutment portions 36 abut the surface 40.

As the abutment portions 36 extend beyond the connection portion 32 and the first direction 34, the distance d marked in Fig. 3 between the connection portion 32 and the surface 40 is controlled and therefore, for example, allows the distance between a headliner 52 attached to the connection portion 32 of the male part 16 and a surface of the vehicle 40 to be easily controlled.

In the example of Fig. 3 the at least one abutment portion 36 extends beyond the attachment portion 14.

At block 502, the attachment portion 14 of a male part 16 as described herein is located in the aperture 12 of the receiving portion 10 of a female part 2 as described herein to engage the first and second engagement means 18, 20 to retain the attachment portion 14 in the receiving portion 10.

For example, the attachment portion 14 may be inserted into the receiving portion 10 of the female part 2 as illustrated in the examples of Figs 2A, 2B and/or 3.

In examples, the method 500 may comprise moving the attachment portion 14 through the receiving portion 10 in the first direction 34 until the abutment portion(s) 36 of the male part 16 comes into contact with a surface 40. For example, a surface 40 of a vehicle 46 as illustrated in the example of Fig. 3.

As used herein “for” should be considered to also include “configured or arranged to”.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the female part 2 and/or the male part 16 may be configured to be attached/attached to different vehicle parts 8 than those set out above.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Claims

1. A female part of a gap controlling clip comprising: a connection portion configured to attach to a vehicle part; a receiving portion defining an aperture for receiving an attachment portion of a corresponding male part along a first axis, the receiving portion comprising first engagement means for cooperating with second engagement means of the male part when the attachment portion of the corresponding male part is located in the receiving portion to retain the attachment portion of the male part in the receiving portion in one of a plurality of positions along the first axis; wherein the first engagement means comprises a resiliently biased tab configured to be pushed to disengage the first engagement means from the second engagement means to allow the male part to be removed from the female part.

2. A female part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first engagement means comprises at least one protrusion configured to cooperate with one of a plurality of engagement positions of the second engagement means when the attachment portion of the male part is located in the receiving portion.

3. A female part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receiving portion comprises at least one rib to limit the area of contact between the receiving portion and the attachment portion of the male part when the attachment portion of the male part is located in the receiving portion.

4. A female part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection portion is configured to be attached to a flange.

5. A male part of a gap controlling clip comprising: a connection portion configured to attach to a vehicle part and extending in at least a first direction; an attachment portion comprising second engagement means for cooperating with first engagement means of a receiving portion of a female part such that when the attachment portion is received along a first axis of a receiving portion, the attachment portion can be retained in the receiving portion in one of a plurality of positions; and at least one abutment portion extending beyond the connection portion in the first direction.

6. A male part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second engagement means are arranged to cooperate with the first engagement means such that the male part is separable from the female part.

7. A male part as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the attachment portion is the at least one abutment portion.

8. A male part as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the attachment portion extends at least in the first direction and is distinct from the at least one abutment portion.

9. A male part as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the second engagement means comprises a plurality of engagement positions.

10. A male part as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of engagement positions comprise a plurality of teeth.

11. A male part as claimed in any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the at least one abutment portion comprises at least one resiliently biased flap for abutment with a surface of a vehicle.

12. A male part as claimed in any of claims 5 to 11, wherein the connection portion is configured to be attached to a headliner.

13. A male part as claimed in any of claims 5 to 12, wherein the at least one abutment portion extends beyond the connection portion in the first direction by a predetermined amount.

14. A gap controlling clip comprising the combination of: a female part as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4; and a male part as claimed in at least one of claims 5 to 13.

15. A part of a vehicle comprising a female part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4 and/or a male part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in at least one of claims 5 to 13 and/or a gap controlling clip as claimed in claim 14.

16. A vehicle comprising a female part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4 and/or a male part of a gap controlling clip as claimed in at least one of claims 5 to 13 and/or a gap controlling clip as claimed in claim 14 and/or a part of a vehicle as claimed in claim 15.

17. A method comprising: locating the attachment portion of a male part as claimed in at least one of claims 5 to 13 in the aperture of the receiving portion of a female part as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4 to engage the first and second engagement means to retain the attachment portion in the receiving portion.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, comprising moving the attachment portion through the receiving portion in the first direction until the at least one abutment portion of the male part comes into contact with a surface.