Vehicle trim panel securement

A vehicle trim panel is secured to a vehicle structural panel by providing a vehicle trim fastener having spaced arms which embrace and overlie the legs on a mount which is seated over the edge of a vehicle structural panel. The embracing arms and corresponding legs prevent lateral shifting of the trim panel relative to the structural panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle panels and more particularly to the securement of vehicle panels.

Vehicle panels include structural panels which are relatively rigid and secure, as for example, an inner door panel. They also include trim panels which hide unsightly mechanisms disposed within the structural panel. It is customary to secure a trim panel to a structural panel to protect, cover and/or hide the structural panel and the mechanisms disposed therein.

In one prior art device, this securement is achieved by providing a trim panel trim clip with a downwardly depending arm which seats in the channel of an inner belt weatherstrip which in turn is seated over the edge of an inner structural panel, such as an inner door panel. The arm includes a projection which engages a mating projection located inside the weatherstrip channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have discovered that existing systems do not provide good stability to the trim panel relative to the structural panel. There is a tendency for the trim panel to move both vertically and laterally relative to the structural panel.

In the present invention, a vehicle trim panel is secured to a vehicle structural panel by providing a vehicle trim fastener having spaced arms which embrace and overlie the legs on a mount which is seated over the edge of a vehicle structural panel. The embracing arms and corresponding legs preventing lateral shifting of the trim panel relative to the structural panel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mating trim panel fastener arms and the legs on the mount have inter-engaging portions which restrict vertical movement of the trim panel fastener relative to the mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As used herein, the term vehicle structural panel or structural panel is meant to include any panel in or on a vehicle that is capable of supporting the mount of the disclosed invention. This includes a vehicle structural panel such as a structural door frame panel but it is not meant to be limited to such a panel. Additionally, as used herein, vehicle trim panel or trim panel is not meant to be limited to a panel that decorates or adorns, but encompasses any panel that overlies the structural panel. This may be for example, a vehicle door interior trim panel but it is not meant to be limited to such a panel. Further, as used in the automotive industry, an inner belt weatherstrip is weather-stripping that is used to seal the top edge of an interior door structural panel and the corresponding window of a vehicle door. The present invention may be used as an inner belt weatherstrip but it is not meant to be limited to such a particular application.

In a first embodiment, door trim panel4is secured to inner door structural panel6by vehicle trim panel securement assembly2, which includes a2-part fastening system comprising a panel fastener10and a mount30(FIGS. 1 and 2). Panel fastener10is seated over the top edge of vehicle trim panel4and includes at least a pair of spaced mount embracing arms18A and18B. Mount30is disposed on inner door structural panel6and includes a pair of spaced legs34A and34B. Arms18A and18B embracing mount30prevent lateral shifting of trim panel4relative to structural panel6.

Mount30includes a pair of engagement strips36A and36B disposed on each leg34A and34B, respectively (FIGS. 2 and 3). Arms18A and18B of panel fastener10embrace, overlie and are generally held to mount30by engaging engagement strips36A and36B. As best seen inFIG. 3, this engagement is accomplished by providing at least one protrusion20A and20B on each arm18A and18B, respectively, and at least one receiving cavity or groove38A and38B on each engagement strip36A and36B, respectively (FIG. 3). Protrusions20A and20B engage cavities38A and38B, respectively, thereby affixing panel fastener10to mount30to restrict vertical movement of trim panel fastener10relative to mount30. Alternatively, protrusions20A and20B are pushed entirely over engagement strips36A and36B such that protrusions20A and20B engage only the bottom edges of engagement strips36A and36B. This makes fastener10and mount30a two position fastening system.

Panel fastener10and mount30are generally elongated and preferably engaged along the entire length of the edge of the trim panel/structural panel interface (seeFIG. 1). However, arms18A and18B and corresponding engagement strips36A and36B may alternately be disposed at discrete locations along the elongated assembly as the specific requirements dictate. Furthermore, one of the panel fastener10or the mount30may run the entire length of the elongated assembly and the other of the mount30or the panel fastener10may be disposed at discrete locations.

As shown inFIG. 2, one embodiment of panel fastener10includes a generally C-shaped fastener comprising a channel base11, a first leg12and a second leg13which together define a channel14. Channel14is sized to fit over an edge5of the trim panel thereby frictionally securing panel fastener10to trim panel4. However, channel14may be sized differently to accommodate different securing mechanisms or methods and panel fastener10may be secured to trim panel4through the use of an adhesive, mechanical, or other fastening method such as heat staking, sonically welding or stapling. The C-shaped fastener illustrated inFIG. 2allows fastener10to be secured to trim panel4while simultaneously covering the edge of the trim panel for aesthetic reasons.

In an alternative embodiment as shown inFIG. 4, fastener10A has a single leg to which arms18A and18B extend therefrom. This embodiment is secured to panel4adhesively or with a mechanical fastener. However, any other generally well known method could also be used. Further, this embodiment is shown as being disposed immediately adjacent the trim panel edge. However, this is not meant to be limiting and the fastener may be disposed further inboard or outboard of the trim panel depending on the particular requirements.

As described above, arms18A and18B of panel fastener10extend outwardly from leg13of panel fastener10and are flexibly molded or otherwise attached thereto. Arms18A and18B are resilient or flexible so that they may flex over mount30, or more specifically, engagement strips36A and36B. This resiliency allows arms18A and18B to flex during engagement with mount30and to return towards their original non-flexed state when protrusions20A and20B reside with cavities38A and38B, preferably still exerting an inward force towards one another to aid in retention of protrusions20A and20B in cavities38A and38B.

Protrusions20A and20B of arms18A and18B are typically disposed at a distal end of arms18A and18B. As illustrated byFIG. 5, protrusions20A and20B include a tapered leading edge or ramp22A and22B, respectively, which aids the arms in sliding over engagement strips36A and36B. In one embodiment, protrusions20A and20B are shaped to generally correspond in size and shape to cavities38A and38B (discussed below) thereby forming a mating pair. Additionally, it is preferred to have an edge surface24A or24B of protrusions20A and20B which is similarly angled with the corresponding edge surface42A and42B of cavities38A and38B. In one embodiment, this angle is generally horizontal with respect to the assembly. However, edge surfaces24A,24B,42A and42B may take on various other shapes and/or angles to allow for more or less retention as the specific requirements dictate. This system whereby the arm protrusions are engaged within the leg cavities creates a “snap fit” which acts to positively retain protrusions20A and20B within cavities38A and38B. Additionally, edge surfaces24A,24B,42A and42B may include additional features such as, inter alia, ridges or protrusions to aid in their retention or fit.

In one embodiment, cavities38A and38B are created by disposing a plurality of protrusions39A and39B, respectively, on engagement strips36A and36B creating cavities38A and38B therebetween (FIG. 5). It is generally preferred, although not necessary, to have an angled or ramped surface40A and40B on each protrusion39A and39B which allows arms18A and18B to more easily flex over the protrusions upon installation. Similarly, it is generally preferred, although not necessary, for cavities38A and38B to have a planar surface42A and42B of which each planar surface24A and24B of protrusions20A and20B may rest against. Most preferably, both protrusions20A and20B and engagement strips36A and36B will have corresponding angled and planar surfaces that interact to aid in the installation and corresponding retention of the assembly.

Further, each engagement strip36A or36B may have more than one cavity. By having more than one cavity on each leg34A and34B, the panel fastener is made to be adjustable. In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7, a plurality of cavities38A and38B are disposed on engagement strips36C and36D, respectively. This embodiment permits either protrusion20A or20B to be seated within any one of the plurality of cavities, thereby allowing the panel fastener10to be optimally positioned with respect to the mount30over a wide range of build tolerances between the two vehicle panels.

In another embodiment (FIG. 8), engagement strips36E and36F may have ledges42C and42D rather than cavities to which protrusions20A or20B may reside on for securement. For example, at least one protrusion39C and39D may be used to create an edge42C and42D which protrusions20A and20B may reside on. Still further,FIG. 9shows an alternative embodiment, wherein protrusions39C and39D of panel fastener10B rather than facing toward one another, face away from one another. This embodiment utilizes engagement strips36C and36D which form a shelf42C and42D for engagement with corresponding edges24C and24D of protrusions20C and20D.

In yet another embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10, a plurality of protrusions20A and20B are disposed on panel fastener10C for engagement with strips36E and36F which include ledges42C and42D. In this embodiment, panel fastener10C permits on of the plurality of protrusions20A or20B to be seated or reside on ledges42C and42D, respectively, thereby allowing panel fastener10C to be optimally positioned with respect to the mount30over a wide range of build tolerances between the two vehicle panels. Of course, a plurality of protrusions20A and20B on fastener10C may be used in conjunction with a plurality of receiving members38A and38B disposed on engagement strips36C and36D in order to provide maximum flexibility.

Panel fastener10may be fabricated from numerous materials. Generally, any semi-rigid or rigid material can be used such that arms18A and18B are capable of at least slightly flexing. Such materials are commonly known within the art and may include, but are not limited to, a semi-rigid or rigid thermoplastic. Additionally, the method of fabricating panel fastener10is not critical to the inventive concept and panel fastener10may be molded, extruded, bent or made by any other method generally known in the art. Further, panel fastener10may be fabricated from either a single or multiple pieces. However, in the preferred embodiment, panel fastener10is molded into a single piece from a semi-rigid, but resilient flexible thermoplastic.

As shown inFIG. 6, mount30generally includes a U-shaped member comprising a base32, a first leg34A and a second leg34B, together defining a channel35. Channel35is used to affix mount30to an edge7of a vehicle structural panel6, and includes a plurality of extensions50A-50D extending from an inside surface of one or both of legs34A and34B which affix mount30to edge7. Of course, other attachment methods may also be used.

On the “outside” of leg34B (the “outside” corresponding to the sides of the legs which are opposite to extensions50A–50D) there are disposed two wiper blades52. Blades52, although not required for the inventive concept, may be used to provide a flexible gasket or seal between mount30and a panel surface8. In one embodiment, panel surface8is the window glass of a vehicle door, while the structural panel to which mount30is attached, is a vehicle door structural panel. Wipe52may also include “flocking” or a felt like material53, disposed on a surface of the wipe which engages the surface to be sealed to aid the wipe in sliding along the surface when the surface is being positioned (i.e. rolled up or down). Further, and again although not necessary to the inventive concept, mount30may also include a more rigid reinforcing frame member54disposed centrally within the U-shaped portion of the mount. Reinforcing member54aids in the retention of mount30to the panel edge by biasing legs34A and34B toward one another.

As best seen inFIG. 5, mount30also includes a resilient bulbous portion56having a cavity58formed therein. As best illustrated inFIG. 2, bulbous portion56will be compressed when fastener10is installed over mount30, thereby creating a resilient seal which acts to retain fastener10and mount30in tension to further reduce the movement between the two panels and in turn, reduce any rattling that may occur between the two panels. This resilient seal configuration ensures that fastener10and mount30remain sealed even when subjected to forces, such as vibrations. Bulbous portion56may be formed as an integral part of mount30or a separate piece and further, may or may not be made of the same material. In this embodiment, bulbous portion56is integral with mount30and fabricated from the same material.

Mount30may be fabricated from numerous materials and further may be fabricated from more than one material. Generally, a flexible or semi-rigid material may be used for mount30while a more rigid material is used for engagement strips36A and36B to ensure proper retention of arms18A and18B. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by co-extruding a thermoplastic and a rigid thermoplastic, wherein base32and legs34A and34B of mount30are extruded with a thermoplastic such as thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) while engagement strips36A and36B are co-extruded with a more rigid thermoplastic. Additionally, the method of fabricating panel fastener10is not critical to the inventive concept and mount30may be molded, extruded, bent or fabricated by any other method generally known in the art.

As best seen inFIG. 6, the preferred embodiment of the vehicle trim panel securement assembly2is used by installing the C-shaped portion of panel fastener10to an edge5of a trim panel4. Panel fastener10may be held in place by friction or either alone or in combination with alternative fastening methods such as fasteners or adhesives. Mount30is installed by inserting the U-shaped portion onto an edge7of a structural panel6. As with panel fastener10, mount30may be held in place by friction or either alone or in combination with alternative fastening methods such as fasteners or adhesives. Panel fastener10(via trim panel4) is then positioned over mount30, whereby arms18A and18B are aligned with engagement strips36A and36B. The trim panel fastener10is then pushed over and onto mount30, whereby ramped surfaces40A and40B urge arms18A and18B open (FIG. 5), thereby sliding over protrusions39A and39B so as to be engage with cavities38A and38B. This secures the trim panel from either vertical or horizontal movement with respect to mount30. The engagement is resisted by resilient bulbous portion56. The bulbous portion keeps panel fastener10in constant tension with mount30and further reduces the movement between the two edges of the panels. Simultaneously, this tension reduces any rattling that may occur and provides an additional sealing surface.

In various preferred aspects of the present invention, a novel device and a method are disclosed for securing a trim panel to a structural panel. The device and method of attachment produce a connection which minimizes movement between the two panels, provides a seal, and provides for an appealing aesthetic appearance. The present device and method accomplishes this by providing a novel 2-part attachment system.