Abstract:
A retaining system for an articulating support hook held in snap-in relation to a support surface underlying a vehicle headliner. The support hook assembly includes a hook member which is adapted to pivot between open and closed positions as desired. The hook assembly is stable in both the open and the closed positions and is not reliant upon internal springs for operation. The retaining system for the support hook assembly is not dependent upon screws or other attachment elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/167,670, filed Apr. 8, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a support hook assembly including an articulating support hook, and is more particularly directed to a support hook assembly adapted to provide snap-in attachment and retention of a hook module relative to an underlying support structure within a transportation vehicle or similar environment. The support hook assembly may be disposed within an opening in a headliner other trim element without the need for screws or other connection elements. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In many environments of use it may be desirable for a user to have access to an outwardly projecting support hook to hang clothing, coats and other articles in an accessible yet out of the way position. It may also be desirable that the outwardly projecting support hook be moveable between and open and closed positions so as to project outwardly in an operative condition only when in use. 
         [0004]    In a transportation vehicle environment, it may be desirable to locate a support hook at an elevated position relative to the occupants. In particular, it may be desirable to position such support hooks in the vicinity of the vehicle roof rail above a vehicle side panel. Most transportation vehicles incorporate a noise dampening headliner or other trim element disposed in surrounding relation to the elevated frame members. Accordingly, it is desirable for the retention system of any installed hook to readily accommodate the presence of such a headliner. In addition, it is generally desirable that the presence of the support hook avoid substantially interrupting the contour of the headliner. 
         [0005]    In the past, support hooks have been installed using typical connection methods such as screws or the like which join the support hook to the underlying vehicle frame. However, such attachment systems require the use of assembly tools and may leave screws or other attachment elements visible thereby negatively impacting the aesthetic character within the vehicle. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a support hook retention system which is not reliant upon fasteners or drivers for assembly and which provides minimal interruption to the headliner or other surrounding trim. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing an articulating support hook assembly including a retainer system held in snap-in relation to the vehicle frame. The support hook assembly includes a hook member which is adapted to pivot between open and closed positions as desired. The hook assembly is stable in both the open and the closed positions and is not reliant upon internal springs for operation. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect, the present invention provides a support hook retention system adapted for disposition in embedded relation within a vehicle headliner. The retention system includes a connection bracket including at least one outwardly projecting snap-fit connector adapted to lockingly engage a support structure at a position behind the headliner. The connection bracket has an acceptance opening facing outwardly away from the support structure. The acceptance opening defines an entranceway to an interior containment cavity. The retention system also includes a hook module including a forward portion adapted for disposition in front of the headliner and a rear portion of reduced diameter relative to the forward portion. The rear portion is adapted for mating insertion through an opening in the headliner and into the containment cavity. A hook element is held in pivoting relation to a backing structure. The backing structure includes at least one rearwardly projecting snap-fit male connector adapted to lockingly engage a ledge surface at the connection bracket rearward of the acceptance opening. The hook module further includes a shroud adapted for disposition at least partially about the hook element. The shroud includes a rearwardly projecting latching post adapted for staged insertion through a pass-through opening in a backing plate at the backing structure. The latching post includes a pattern of outwardly extending raised surfaces such that the latching post is insertable through the pass-through opening between a first latched condition wherein the backing plate is held in place at a first distance from the shroud to at least a second latched condition wherein the backing plate is held in place at a second distance closer to the shroud. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the present invention provides a support hook retention system adapted for disposition in embedded relation within a vehicle headliner. The retention system includes a connection bracket having at least one outwardly projecting snap-fit connector adapted to lockingly engage a support structure at a position behind the headliner. The connection bracket includes an acceptance opening facing outwardly away from the support structure. The acceptance opening defines an entranceway to an interior containment cavity. The retention system further includes a hook module having a forward portion adapted for disposition in front of the headliner and a rear portion of reduced diameter relative to the forward portion. The rear portion is adapted for mating insertion through an opening in the headliner and into the containment cavity. The hook module includes a hook element held in pivoting relation to a backing structure. The backing structure includes at least one rearwardly projecting snap-fit male connector adapted to lockingly engage a ledge surface at the connection bracket rearward of the acceptance opening. The hook module further includes a shroud adapted for disposition at least partially about the hook element, the shroud including a rearwardly projecting latching post adapted for staged insertion through a pass-through opening in a backing plate at the backing structure. The latching post includes a pattern of outwardly extending raised surfaces such that the latching post is insertable through the pass-through opening between a first latched condition wherein the backing plate is held in place at a first distance from the shroud to at least a second latched condition wherein the backing plate is held in place at a second distance closer to the shroud. 
         [0009]    According to yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a support hook retention system adapted for disposition in embedded relation within a vehicle headliner. The retention system includes a connection bracket having at least one outwardly projecting snap-fit connector adapted to lockingly engage a support structure at a position behind the headliner, the connection bracket has an acceptance opening facing outwardly away from the support structure. The acceptance opening defines an entranceway to an interior containment cavity. The retention system further includes a hook module including a forward portion adapted for disposition in front of the headliner and a rear portion of reduced diameter relative to the forward portion. The rear portion is adapted for mating insertion through an opening in the headliner and into the acceptance opening at the connection bracket for locking retention within the containment cavity. The hook module includes a hook element held in pivoting relation to a backing structure. The backing structure includes at least one rearwardly projecting snap-fit male connector adapted to lockingly engage a ledge surface at the connection bracket rearward of the acceptance opening upon insertion of the hook module. The hook module further includes a shroud disposed at least partially about the hook element. The shroud includes a rearwardly projecting latching post adapted for insertion through a pass-through opening in a backing plate at the backing structure. The latching post includes a plurality of outwardly extending ratchet teeth disposed along the length of the latching post and at least one compression slot disposed at the interior of the latching post, such that the latching post is insertable in compressible ratcheting relation through the pass-through opening between a first latched condition wherein the backing plate is held in place at a first distance from the shroud to at least a second latched condition wherein the backing plate is held in place at a second distance closer to the shroud. A spacing post including a distal step extends rearwardly away from the backing plate. A standoff post extends rearwardly from the shroud. The standoff post is disposed in juxtaposed relation to the spacing post with the distal step in blocking relation to a distal end of the standoff post when the latching post is at the first latched condition. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary support hook assembly disposed at a vehicle roof within a surrounding headliner; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view of the support hook assembly of  FIG. 1  with the headliner removed; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a hook module sub-assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an assembled view of the hook module sub-assembly illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away view of the hook module sub-assembly illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view illustrating the insertion of the hook module sub-assembly into an attachment bracket with the headliner disposed therebetween; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the mating engagement of the articulating hook module sub-assembly with the attachment bracket; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cut-away view taken generally through line  8 - 8  with the articulating hook removed; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary hook pivot system; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary locking system for holding the hook in a selected open or closed position; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an enhanced view of one side of the locking system illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. Thus, the use of “including”, “comprising”, and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various views. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a support hook assembly  10  is shown in embedded relation within a headliner  12  or other trim element at the interior of a transportation vehicle such as an automobile, railroad car, airplane or the like. The support hook assembly  10  includes an articulating hook element  14  that is supported within a hook module  16  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) as will be described further hereinafter. In operation, the hook element  14  may be rotated between the extended, open condition illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and a stored, closed condition in which the hook element is folded into the cavity defined by the interior of the hook module  16 . As will be appreciated, with the hook element  14  in the open condition, a user may hang a garment such as a coat or other item from the hook element  14 . When the hook element  14  is no longer needed, it may be rotated to a stored condition at the interior of the hook module  16  such that it does not interrupt the profile of the headliner  12 . 
         [0023]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , in the exemplary construction, the hook module  16  is held in snap-fit relation within the concave interior of a connection bracket designated generally as  18  such as a generally tetrahedral Z bracket or the like. The connection bracket may be formed from any suitable material including metal, polymers or the like. As shown, the connection bracket  18  includes a snap-fit tower connection incorporating a pair of opposing snap-fit insertion heads  22 , that are adapted for insertion through an acceptance slot or other opening in a support structure  26  such as a portion of the vehicle frame. Specifically, each of the insertion heads  22  has a generally half arrowhead profile including a diverging, angled flexible wing segment  24 . The wing segments  24  flex inwardly as the insertion heads  22  are inserted through the acceptance opening in the support structure. The wing segments  24  then snap behind the support structure once the insertion operation is complete. In this relation, the connection bracket  18  is secured in place relative to the support structure. Of course, virtually any other snap-in connection assembly may be used as desired. In practice, the connection bracket  18  will normally be disposed in hidden relation behind the headliner  12 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , details of an exemplary hook module  16  may be seen. As shown, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the hook module  16  includes the hook element  14 , a backing structure  28  including forwardly projecting pivot arms  30  adapted to engage the hook element  14  and a shroud  32  adapted for disposition about the hook element  14  and pivot arms  30 . The shroud  32  is also adapted to lockingly secure the backing  28  and hook element  14  in place relative to the shroud  32 . 
         [0025]    As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  9 , in the exemplary embodiment the hook element  14  includes a pair of upwardly extending lobed ears  34  each of which includes a seating depression  36  in the form of a cavity (only one shown). In practice, the seating depressions  36  are adapted to receive and retain opposing raised boss features  38  (only one shown) that project inwardly from interior surfaces of the pivot arms  30 . Specifically, as the ears  34  of the hook element  14  are pressed into place between the pivot arms  30 , the pivot arms will flex outwardly and will then snap inwardly as the raised boss features  38  enter the corresponding seating depressions  36 . In this arrangement, the hook element is secured in place relative to the backing  28  but can nonetheless be rotated about an axis of rotation substantially aligned with the seating depressions  36  and boss features  38 . 
         [0026]    In the illustrated arrangement, the backing structure  28  includes a back plate  39  having a pass-through opening  40  in the form of a slot adapted to receive and retain a compressible latching post  42  projecting rearwardly from an interior wall  44  ( FIG. 5 ) of the shroud  32 . As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the exemplary latching post  42  is of a generally board-like, planar configuration with an arrangement of outwardly projecting surface teeth  46  extending away from at least one lateral edge. Compression slots  48  extend partially along the length of the latching post  42 . The surface teeth  46  have a height such that they normally obstruct passage of the latching post  42  through the pass-through opening  40 . However, upon application of a sufficient insertion force, the latching post  42  may compress inwardly in a resilient manner with the compression slots becoming narrower. The distance between the surface teeth is slightly greater than the thickness of the backing plate  39  surrounding the pass through opening  40 . Thus, as each surface tooth moves past the pass-through opening  40 , the compression within the latching post  42  is relieved thereby causing the surface teeth  46  to rebound into a blocking orientation relative to the pass through opening  40 . Accordingly, the latching post  42  moves in a ratcheting relation through the pass through opening  40 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated, in the exemplary embodiment a tower connection including a pair of opposing snap-fit insertion heads  50  extend rearwardly away from the backing plate  29  on either side of the pass-through opening  40 . As best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the insertion heads  50  are adapted for snap-in locking relation behind rearwardly facing ledge surfaces  52  (only one shown) defined by the forward edges of cut-outs  54  on the lateral sides of the connection bracket  18 . Specifically, each of the insertion heads  50  has a generally half arrowhead profile including a diverging, angled flexible wing segment  56  (only one shown). The wing segments  56  are normally disposed slightly outboard from the side edges of the backing plate  29 . The wing segments  56  flex inwardly as they contact the inner walls of the connection bracket  18  during insertion of the backing  28 . The wing segments  56  then snap behind the ledge surfaces  52  once the insertion operation is complete. In this relation, the backing structure  28  and attached elements are secured in place relative to the connection bracket  18 . 
         [0028]    As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , in the exemplary embodiment, the backing structure  28  includes a grooved spacing post  60  extending rearwardly away from the back plate  39 . The spacing post  60  includes a raised step  62  at the distal end with a groove  64  extending generally between the back plate  39  and the raised step  62 . The groove  64  is aligned with a notch opening  66  at an upper edge of the back plate  39 . In the assembly operation, the spacing post  60  acts to define a stop surface for initial assembly and insertion of the hook module  16 . 
         [0029]    As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the shroud  32  includes a standoff post  70  extending rearwardly in generally parallel relation to the latching post  42 . During preassembly of the hook module  16 , the standoff post  70  is extended through the notch opening  66  and along the groove  64 . As will be appreciated, insertion of the latching post  42  through the pass-through opening  40  proceeds until the distal end of the insertion post reaches the raised step  62 . That is, the latching post  42  may be inserted to a limited degree such that one or more of the surface teeth  46  are moved through the pass-through opening  40  while other teeth have not been passed through the opening. In this preassembled first latched condition shown in  FIG. 4 , all the components of the hook module  16  are held together. Thus, the hook module  16  may be shipped and handled as a modular unit. 
         [0030]    According to the preferred practice, the hook module  16  is preassembled as a modular unit ( FIG. 4 ) which may then be inserted into the connection bracket  18  which has been previously connected to the support structure prior  26 . The headliner  12  is thus clamped between a forward flange  72  on the connection bracket  18  and a radial collar  74  on the shroud  32  ( FIG. 6 ). As noted previously, upon insertion of the hook module  16  into the connection bracket  18 , the snap fit insertion heads  50  extending away from the back plate  39  snap behind the ledge surfaces  52  at the connection bracket  18 . As best seen through joint reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , in the exemplary embodiment the distal end of the grooved spacing post  60  will contact a camming surface  78  within the connection bracket  18  during the insertion procedure. As will be appreciated, as the hook module  16  continues to be pressed inwardly, the grooved spacing post will ride along the camming surface  78  thereby causing it to move rearwardly and to bend downwardly. As will be understood, the rearward movement of the spacing post takes place in conjunction with the concurrent rearward movement of the back plate  39  until full insertion of the snap-fit insertion heads  50  is achieved. 
         [0031]    In the exemplary embodiment, the bending action of the grooved spacing post  60  during the rearward movement eventually causes the raised step  62  to move out of blocking engagement with the insertion post  70 . With the raised step  62  out of the way, both the locking post  48  and the insertion post  70  may be further advanced. This advancement of the locking post  48  causes additional ratcheting of the locking post  48  through the pass through opening  40  thereby locking the components of the hook module  16  in a final latched condition. Moreover, the distal portion of the locking post  48  that extends through the pass through opening  40  acts to spread the snap-fit insertion heads  50  away from one another to aid in maintaining the final locked condition. 
         [0032]    In the exemplary construction, the hook element  14  is held between the pivot arms  30  without the need for additional pivot pins or springs to prevent the hook element from unintentionally rotating from a closed to an open condition. Rather, the hook element is held in place substantially by a press-fit relationship. In this regard, in the exemplary construction each of the ears  34  on the hook element  14  includes a ramp feature  80  ( FIG. 9 ) adapted to guide the boss feature  38  into the corresponding seating depression  36  to achieve the coaxial rotatable relation described previously. 
         [0033]    In order to provide controlled rotation of the hook element  14  between open and closed conditions, each of the ears  34  preferably includes a first raised surface structure  82  and a second raised surface structure  84  disposed at different circumferential positions radially outboard from the seating depression  36 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the pivot arms  30  each include a surface depressions  86  with adjacent raised platform surfaces  88  disposed radially outboard from the boss feature  38 . In operation, as the hook element  14  is rotated between the open position and the closed position, the raised platform surfaces  88  act to interfere with movement of the first raised surface structure  82  and a second raised surface structure  84 . However, once the desired open or closed position is achieved, the raised surface structures  82 ,  84  on the ears of the hook element  14  are outside the boundaries of the raised platform surfaces  88  and will reside within corresponding surface depressions  86 . Thus, as the hook element is rotated away from the open or closed position, an initial additional force is required to move the surface structures  82 ,  84  past the blocking raised platform surfaces  88 . Upon reaching the full open or closed position, the surface structures  82 ,  84  will then fall into the corresponding surface depressions  86  and will remain stable until a sufficient displacement force is applied. Thus, the hook element  14  is prevented from flopping out of position. 
         [0034]    Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. the claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments and equivalents to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
         [0035]    Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.