Abstract:
A fastening mechanism for coupling a trim panel to a door module is disclosed, wherein the mechanism may include a hook disposed on a first mating surface of one of the door panel and the door module, the hook including a V-shaped neck extending away from the first mating surface, the neck including a first bearing surface directed substantially toward the first mating surface and an engaging element disposed at a distal end of the neck; and a receiver disposed on a second mating surface of the other of the door panel and the door module, the receiver including a V-shaped slot operable to receive the V-shaped neck of the hook and a second bearing surface operable to engage the first bearing surface of the hook and to prevent separation of the first and second mating surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates in general to components for assembly in an automobile body, and in particular to devices for fastening interior door trims to a door module. 
         [0002]    Typically, automotive door modules are constructed from metal or plastic and form part of the load bearing structure of an automobile door. Interior door panels, or trim panels, are commonly affixed to such door modules to provide an interior surface that is aesthetically pleasing and pleasant to the touch. Typically the main mating surfaces of the trim panel and the door module engage one another at a mating interface. Attachment means, such as basic hook/receiver components, may be provided on one or both of the trim panel and the door module to enable a secure connection between the two parts at a bearing interface. 
         [0003]    Existing bearing interfaces provide the basic ability to connect a trim panel to a door module. However, the integrity of this connection may be susceptible to deterioration over time due dimensioning tolerances of the respective parts, vibration of the automobile, and/or deformation of the parts over time. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for device for fastening a trim panel to a door module that provides improved connection integrity while also providing means for simple and inexpensive assembly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect, the invention is directed to a fastening mechanism for coupling a trim panel to a door module that may include a hook disposed on a first mating surface of one of the door panel and the door module, the hook including a V-shaped neck extending away from the first mating surface, and an engaging element disposed at a distal end of the neck, the engaging element including a first bearing surface directed substantially toward the first mating surface; and a receiver disposed on a second mating surface of the other of the door panel and the door module, the receiver including a V-shaped slot operable to receive the V-shaped neck of the hook and a second bearing surface operable to engage the first bearing surface of the hook and to prevent separation of the first and second mating surfaces. 
         [0005]    According another aspect, the invention is directed to a fastening mechanism for coupling a trim panel to a door module, that may include a hook disposed on a first mating surface of one of the door panel and the door module, the hook including a neck extending away from the first mating surface and an engaging element disposed at a distal end of the neck, the engaging element including a first bearing surface directed substantially toward the first mating surface and a tension element springingly extending from the first bearing surface; and a receiver disposed on a second mating surface of the other of the door panel and the door module, the receiver including a second bearing surface directed substantially toward the second mating surface and being operable to engage the first bearing surface of the hook. 
         [0006]    Other aspects, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to one skilled in the art when the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention herein is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic side view of the attachment of a trim panel to a door module using one or more fastening devices in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is an expanded view of a fastening device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a fastening device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of the fastening device of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a receiver portion of the fastening device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a hook portion of the fastening device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a fastening device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of the fastening device of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a receiver portion of the fastening device of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a hook portion of the fastening device of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic side view of the attachment of a trim panel  104  to a door module  102  using one or more fastening devices  108  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  is an expanded schematic view of the fastening device  108  of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0019]    The assembly of  FIG. 1A  may include mating interface  106  between the mating surface  114  of trim panel  104  and mating surface  112  of door module  102 . Each fastening device  108  may include a hook  200  and a receiver  300 . Hook  200  and receiver  300  may include bearing surfaces  124  and  122 , respectively, which may contact one another at bearing interface  120 . While  FIG. 1B  shows hook  200  connected to trim panel  104  and receiver  300  connected to door module  300 , it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that, in other embodiments, hook  200  could be connected to either of trim panel  104  or door module  102 , and receiver  300  could be connected to the other of trim panel  104  and door module  102 . 
         [0020]    The following discussion is directed to embodiments of fastening device  108  having bearing interfaces  106  that are operable to provide ease of assembly of the hook  200  and receiver  300 , mechanical integrity of the connection between hook  200  and receiver  300  over time even with the presence of variation in part dimensions, vehicle vibration, and/or deformation of the constituent parts of fastening device  108  over time. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a fastening device  108  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and  FIG. 2B  is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of the fastening device  108  of  FIG. 2A . Fastening device  108  may include hook  200  and receiver  300 , which may engage one another at bearing interface  120 . Fastening device  108  may further include detent mechanism  130  ( FIG. 2B ) to aid in securing hook  200  to receiver  300 . Detent mechanism  130  may include a protrusion deployed on one of hook  200  and receiver  300  and a corresponding recess deployed on the other of hook  200  and receiver  300 . Various features of hook  200  and receiver  300  that enable the desired means of assembly thereof and the desired operation of fastening device  108  are discussed in the following. 
         [0022]    In the following, the various parts of hook  200  and receiver  300  are introduced. Thereafter, a selection of the parts are described in greater detail. Subsequently, a description of the interaction of various features of the hook  200  and receiver  300  during assembly of fastening device  108  is provided. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a receiver  300  portion of the fastening device  108  of  FIG. 2 . Receiver  300  may include one or more chamfered flanges  302 , bearing surface  122 , slot  310  (which may be V-shaped), notch  320  (which may be V-shaped), recess  330 , and engagement ridge  340 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a hook  200  portion of the fastening device  108  of  FIG. 2 . Hook  200  may include neck  210  and engaging element  220 , which may in turn include locking element  230 , one or more chamfered flanges  202 , and bearing surface  124 . 
         [0024]    Directing attention to receiver  300 , slot  310  and notch  320  and may be V-shaped to accommodate a V-shaped neck  210  of hook  200 . However, slot  310  and notch  320  are not limited to be being V-shaped, and may assume any one of a number of shapes, including but not limited to, rectangular, square, semi-circular, and oval. Notch  320  preferably includes bearing surface  122  which may be operable to engage bearing surface  124  of hook  200 . Recess  330  may a slot, or other opening for receiving a corresponding locking element  230  on hook  200 . Recess  320  preferably forms part of detent mechanism  130 . 
         [0025]    Directing attention to hook  200  of  FIG. 4 , neck  210  preferably extends from a mating surface of either a trim panel  104  or a door module  102  to engaging element  220  and may fit into a portion of preferably V-shaped slot  310  of receiver  300 . The engaging element  220  is preferably disposed at a distal end of neck  210 , with the proximal end of the neck  210  located at the mating surface of the trim panel  104  or door module  102 . 
         [0026]    The bearing surface  124  of engaging element  220  may engage bearing surface  122  of receiver when hook  200  is assembled onto receiver  300 . Moreover, bearing surface  122  may be directed substantially toward the mating surface from which neck  210  extends. 
         [0027]    Locking element  230  of hook  200  may serve as a male component of detent mechanism  130 . Locking element  230  may include a solid protruding element, a cantilevered tab, a spring-loaded tab, and/or a spring loaded member. While the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-4  shows a protruding locking element  230  disposed on hook  200 , and a corresponding recess  320  disposed on receiver  300 , in other embodiments, this arrangement could be reversed while remaining within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    The process of assembling hook  200  to receiver  300  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is now described. In the following, the movement of hook  200  and receiver  300  is described. It is understood that hook  200  and receiver  300  are generally coupled to respective components to be assembled, such as trim panel  104  and door module  102 . However, for the sake of simplicity, the pertinent assembly operation is described in terms of only the hook  200  and receiver  300 . 
         [0029]    Hook  200  may be brought to a suitable approach location near receiver  300 . Hook  200  may then be moved toward and into engagement with receiver  300 . Chamfered flanges  202  of hook  200  may engage the chamfered flanges  302  of receiver  302  to enable the hook  200  to be appropriately guided into and centered with respect to receiver  300 . Upon advancing hook  200  further onto receiver  300 , V-shaped slot  310  may guide the V-shaped neck  210  of hook  200  into proper position. As the assembly operation nears completion, locking element  230  may initially engage a portion of bearing surface  122  just above recess  330 . Upon advancing hook  200  still further onto receiver  300 , locking element  230  preferably engages recess  330 , thereby securing the assembly of hook  200  to receiver  300 , and enabling bearing surfaces  122  and  124  to experience substantially complete surface contact with one another. 
         [0030]    Attention is now directed to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-7 . In the following, the various parts of hook  500  and receiver  400  are introduced. Thereafter, a selection of the parts are described in greater detail. Subsequently, a description of the interaction of various features of the hook  500  and receiver  400  during assembly of fastening device  108  is provided. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a fastening device  108  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and  FIG. 5B  is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of the fastening device  108  of  FIG. 5A . Fastening device  108  may include hook  500  and receiver  400 , which may engage one another at bearing interface  520 . Fastening device  108  may further include tension element  530  ( FIG. 5B ) to aid in securing hook  200  to receiver  300  at bearing interface  520 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of receiver  400  of the fastening device  108  of  FIG. 5 . Receiver  400  may include one or more chamfered flanges  402 , bearing surface  422 , and, engagement ridge  430 , which may in turn include bottom edge  432 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of hook  500  of fastening device  108  of  FIG. 5 . Hook  500  may include neck  510 , engaging element  520 , which may in turn include bearing surface  524 , chamfered flange (chamfered leading edge)  502 , and/or tension element  530 . 
         [0033]    Chamfered flange  402  may include a curvature suitable for guiding chamfered leading edge  502  of hook  500  during assembly of hook  500  to receiver  400 . Bearing surface  422  is preferably operable to engage bearing surface  524  of hook  500  to form bearing interface  520 . Engagement ridge  430  is preferably configured to encase the leading edge of engagement element upon the advancement thereof along bearing surface  422 . Bottom edge  432  of engagement ridge  430  is preferably operable to establish the limits of advancement of engaging element  520  along bearing surface  422  of receiver  400 . 
         [0034]    Turning to  FIG. 7 , hook  500  may include neck  510  which preferably extends from a mating surface of either a trim panel  104  or a door module  102  to engaging element  520  which is preferably disposed at the distal end of neck  510 . Engaging element  520  may include bearing surface  524  which is preferably operable to engage bearing surface  422  of receiver  400 . Engaging element  520  may further include tension element  520  which may springingly extend out from bearing surface  524  and may be operable to bias against bearing surface  422  of receiver  400  to oppose slack between bearing surfaces  524  and  422  and to thereby secure the assembly of hook  500  to receiver  400 . 
         [0035]    Tension element  530  may include a cantilevered tab, a spring-loaded tab, and/or a spring loaded member. In some embodiments, the spring bias of tension element  530  may be provided by a linear spring and/or a rotational spring. 
         [0036]    The process of assembling hook  500  to receiver  400  is discussed in the following. Hook  500  may be brought to a suitable approach location near receiver  400 . Hook  500  may then be moved toward and into engagement with receiver  400 . Initial contact between hook  500  and receiver  400  may include chamfered leading edge  502  of hook  500  engaging chamfered flange  402  of receiver  400  to enable hook  400  to be suitably guided into receiver  400  while avoiding jamming during assembly. 
         [0037]    As assembly progresses, the sides of engagement element  520  of hook  500  may engage engagement ridge  430  which may serve to further guide the motion of hook  500  and to center hook  500  with respect to receiver  400 . As assembly progresses still further, the leading edge of engagement element  520  may approach and ultimately contact the bottom edge  432  of engagement ridge  430 . Engagement ridge  430  may thereby establish the limit of travel of hook  500  with respect to receiver  400 . 
         [0038]    Once fully assembled, tension element  530  is preferably partially deflected, thereby imparting a biasing force against bearing surface  422  of receiver  400 , which is preferably operable to secure the attachment of hook  500  to receiver  400 . The biasing force of tension element  530  may be operable to oppose slack between bearing surfaces  524  and  422 . Otherwise stated, force from tension element  530  may be operable to maintain force between bearing surfaces  524  and  422  even if bearing surfaces  524  and  422  experience some degree of physical separation. The tension force may therefore be operable to maintain suitable contact between the mating surfaces corresponding to the respective bearing surfaces  524  and  422 , even if bearing surfaces  524  and  422  become separated. Thus, the tension force is preferably operable to compensate for a separation distance or gap which may arise from build variation in hook  500  and/or receiver  400 , and any deformation arising in these parts over time. 
         [0039]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.