Patent ID: 9168878
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: B60R,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A molding retainer adapted to lockingly engage a connection stud having an enhanced diameter head within a vehicle roof ditch and to hold an elongate molding strip having a C-section support in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch over the connection stud, the molding retainer comprising: a molding engagement clip adapted to engage an underside of the molding strip in nested relation to the C-section support such that the C-section support extends in arched relation between opposing lateral sides of the molding engagement clip, the molding engagement clip including an arrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to lockingly engage interior surfaces of the molding strip, the molding engagement clip including an acceptance opening oriented for alignment with the connection stud and a pair of window slots disposed on opposite sides of the acceptance opening; and a stud engagement latch, non-integral with the molding engagement clip, the stud engagement latch including a raised stud containment ring adapted for insertion at least partially into the acceptance opening in the molding engagement clip, the stud containment ring including a pair of opposing snap structures projecting radially inwardly and adapted to snap behind the enhanced diameter head upon insertion of the connection stud, the stud engagement latch further including a plurality of upwardly projecting snap-in latch elements positioned for alignment with the window slots when the stud containment ring is inserted into the acceptance opening, each of the upwardly projecting snap-in latch elements having a catch structure at an effective height to latch behind a surface adjacent a corresponding window opening upon at least partial insertion of the containment ring into the acceptance opening.