Apparatus and methods for joining articles

A fixation assembly for affixing a first object to a second object, such as for affixing a component to the surface of a vehicle, includes an insert body and an enclosure at least partially surrounding the inset body. The insert body has a threaded bore, and the enclosure defines a mounting surface for mounting the fixation assembly on the surface of the vehicle. An adhesive disposed on the mounting surface facilitates bonding the fixation assembly to the surface without requiring holes to be drilled in the vehicle. The fixation assembly may further include a fastener having external threads complementary to the threaded bore.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for joining articles and, more particularly, to methods and systems for affixing accessories, body parts, or other components onto a surface of an automobile or any other type of vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Conventional fastening methods for assembling after-market vehicle personalization accessories onto an automobile or other vehicle usually involve the use of screws, tin screws, or push pins that require drilling of the vehicle's sheet metal and plastic surfaces. While these hard fastening techniques may be adequate for attaching original equipment components that are installed at automobile assembly plants with the intensive use of predrilled and chemically treated fastening points that avoid rust on the vehicle sheet metal, these factory fixation methods and systems are not generally satisfactory for retailing aftermarket accessories that are typically installed directly by dealerships, retailers, or body shops outside the automotive assembly plants. Specifically, drilling holes in a vehicle's exterior surface to facilitate fastening specialty accessories often results in the sheet metal of the vehicle being left with minimum or inadequate weathering protection, which may cause severe rust and surfaces damage, possibly voiding a vehicle's factory warranty and a leaving vehicle owner's with expensive repair costs.

The use of double-sided adhesive tape is another example of a conventional fastening system that has been used for vehicle personalization components. The use of double-sided adhesive tape without any mechanical support at points of contact and stress results in a poor and fragile fastening support method for large and rigid components, particularly when components are installed on surfaces without proper cleaning and when components are exposed to extreme weather conditions. Moreover, double-sided adhesive tape cannot generally be used for vacuum formed or hand laid fiberglass accessories that lack an interior flat smooth surface that is necessary to mount the adhesive tape. A need therefore exists for systems and methods for mechanically fastening exterior accessories and other components onto vehicles in a robust and permanent way, without having to drill the sheet metal or other surfaces of the vehicle in order to avoid rust and body damage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for the proper, safe and permanent installation of vehicle personalization and utility accessories within the fast growing, innovative and very dynamic specialty equipment automotive industry.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a system and method in accordance with the present disclosure includes a threaded insert inside a molded flexible polymer enclosure with a self adhesive bottom that sticks onto any section of the sheet metal of a vehicle, adapting to curved surfaces and minimizing vibration effects, allowing other parts or accessories to be fastened onto the vehicles exterior and interior panels without drilling. When applied to new specialty aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) accessories, the inventive removable fixation system enables development and new applications for a new generation of innovative vehicle personalization accessories close to factory fastening specifications.

In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, systems and methods are provided which facilitate the fixation of exterior or interior car components using a removable fixation system whereby adjacent components and accessories may be screwed to a vehicle surface without requiring holes to be drilled. For example, a fixation system in accordance with the invention facilitates mechanically attaching accessories and components such as fender flares, door cladding, door moldings, body panels, rocker panels, consoles, electronic components, among others, onto vehicle exterior and/or interior surfaces, adapting to curved surfaces without having to drill the original surfaces and sheet metal of the vehicle. A fixation system in accordance with the present disclosure provides a novel design that allows safe, permanent, and robust fastening of small, medium, and large-sized molded parts formed from plastic or other materials onto a vehicle's smooth, sheet metal surfaces while avoiding rust, vibrations, or damage, and which may be used in all weather conditions.

In one aspect, a fixation assembly for affixing a first object to a second object, such as for affixing a component to the surface of a vehicle, includes an insert body and an enclosure at least partially surrounding the inset body. The insert body has a threaded bore, and the enclosure defines a mounting surface for mounting the fixation assembly on the surface of the vehicle. An adhesive disposed on the mounting surface facilitates bonding the fixation assembly to the surface without requiring holes to be drilled in the vehicle. The fixation assembly may further include a fastener having external threads complementary to the threaded bore.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3illustrate an exemplary fixation assembly10for affixing a first article to a second article, and more particularly for affixing components to the interior or exterior surfaces of a vehicle. In the embodiment shown, the fixation assembly10includes a mounting base12and a fastener14. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixation assembly10is used to affix an automotive component16(depicted here in the form of a fender flare) to the surface18of a portion of a vehicle, however, it will be appreciated that a fixation assembly10in accordance with the present disclosure may alternatively be used to join various other articles where it is desired to affix one article to the surface of another article without the need to drill holes.

FIG. 3illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the fixation assembly10ofFIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the mounting base12comprises an insert body20encased substantially within an enclosure22. The enclosure22comprises a polymeric material that is molded around the insert body20, thereby mechanically interlocking the insert body20with the enclosure22. The enclosure22defines a mounting surface24for coupling the mounting base12to the surface18of the vehicle. In the embodiment shown, the mounting surface24is provided on the distal face of a flange26that extends radially outwardly from a central axis28of the mounting base12. The flange26of the mounting base12may be suitably resilient to allow the mounting surface24to conform to curved contours of the surface18of the vehicle to which the mounting base12will be secured.

An adhesive30disposed on the mounting surface24facilitates securely bonding the mounting base12to the vehicle surface18. In the embodiment shown, the adhesive30comprises a double-sided adhesive tape coupled with the mounting surface24, however, other embodiments may comprise adhesive in various other forms. The double-sided adhesive tape may include a protective layer (not shown) opposite the flange26of the mounting base24for protecting the adhesive30prior to use, as is known in the art.

The insert body20includes a threaded bore32extending along the central axis28of the mounting base12and has an open end34generally opposite the mounting surface24. The fixation assembly10further includes a fastener14having external threads36complementary to the threaded bore32, whereby the fastener14may be threadably received in the threaded bore32to secure the component16to the vehicle as will be described below. In the embodiment shown, the fastener14is a bolt having a socket38that facilitates turning the bolt within the threaded bore32using a suitable tool. It will be appreciated that various other fasteners suitable for engaging the threaded bore32of the insert body20may alternatively be used.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, and referring further toFIGS. 4A-4B, a fixation assembly10in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be used to join a component16to the surface of a portion of a vehicle. In the embodiment shown, the component16is a fender flare which is to be joined to the surface of a fender portion40of a vehicle42. In use, the fixation assembly10is affixed to the surface of the fender portion40of the vehicle42by positioning the mounting base12at a desired location on the vehicle42and adhering the mounting base12to the surface of the vehicle42with the adhesive30by pressing the mounting surface24firmly in contact with the vehicle surface. When the adhesive30comprises a double-sided adhesive tape, as in the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive30may be exposed by removing the protective layer from the tape. Improved adhesion results may be obtained when the surface of the vehicle42is cleaned prior to bonding the mounting base12to the vehicle42.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 4A-4B, the fender flare (component16) comprises a recess44proximate the location where the fender flare16is to be coupled with the fixation assembly12. An aperture46through the fender flare16is sized to receive the fastener14therethrough. After the mounting base12has been bonded to the surface of the vehicle42, the fender flare16may be positioned adjacent the mounting base12such that the aperture46is aligned with the threaded bore32of the mounting base12. The fastener14is then inserted through the aperture46and threadably engaged with the threaded bore32, for example using a suitable driving tool, to thereby tighten the fastener14securely within the mounting base12. If the component16to be mounted to the vehicle42requires additional fixation assemblies10, corresponding mounting bases12may be adhered to the surface of the vehicle42at appropriate locations, and the component16may be secured at those locations with respective fasteners14in the manner described above.

FIGS. 5A-5Billustrate another exemplary embodiment wherein a component50in the form of a wing spoiler is fixed to a surface52of a vehicle54using the fixation assembly10described above. While the exemplary fixation assembly10has been shown and described herein for use in securing various components to exterior surfaces of a vehicle, it will be appreciated that the fixation assembly10may alternatively be used to secure components to interior surfaces of a vehicle. Moreover, the fixation assembly10may alternatively be used to secure components to various other surfaces besides vehicle surfaces, such as when it is desired to join two objects without the need to drill holes in the objects.

FIGS. 6-10 and 7-15illustrate various views of the ornamental design of exemplary embodiments of a fixation assembly10in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.