Vehicle grille assembly

A grille assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle grille having an opening with at least a pair of opposed edges, and at least one tab extending along at least one edge of the pair of opposed edges. The at least one tab has a base portion, an end portion, and two opposed faces extending between the base portion and end portion. The at least one tab is tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the tab taken along a plane extending perpendicular to either face of the opposed faces of the tab decreases in a direction extending from the base portion toward the end portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to vehicle front grilles and, more particularly, to a vehicle front grille incorporating an attachment for lighting and/or decorative purposes.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle grille may have emblems, lights, or other attachments secured thereto for various purposes. Securement of such elements to the grille involves the application of screws, nuts, studs and/or other fasteners, which increases assembly time and the cost of the assembly. Also, vibration of the grille and associated attachments during vehicle use may loosen such fasteners over time.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the embodiments described herein, a grille assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle grille having an opening with at least a pair of opposed edges, and at least one tab extending along at least one edge of the pair of opposed edges. The at least one tab has a base portion, an end portion, and two opposed faces extending between the base portion and end portion. The at least one tab is tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the tab taken along a plane extending perpendicular to either face of the opposed faces of the tab decreases in a direction extending from the base portion toward the end portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein relate to a grille assembly for a vehicle. The grille assembly includes a vehicle grille having an opening with at least a pair of opposed edges, and at least one tab extending along at least one edge of the pair of opposed edges. The at least one tab has a base portion, an end portion, and two opposed faces extending between the base portion and end portion. The at least one tab has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The at least one tab is tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the tab taken along a plane extending perpendicular to either face of the opposed faces of the tab decreases in a direction extending from the base portion toward the end portion. The grille assembly also includes a grille attachment secured to the grille. The grille attachment may be an emblem or a lighting source, for example. The rectangular cross-sectional shape of the tab aids in maximizing surface area for contact by serrations of a rectangular retaining member configured engage the tab to secure the grille attachment to the grille. The serrations contact outer surfaces of the tab and deflect when the retaining member is pushed onto the tab. The serrations may be pre-bent in a direction of insertion of the tab into an opening of the retaining member. This may provide a lead-in for the tab. The serrations may also be structured so as to contact the tab only after an end of the tab has been inserted through the retaining member opening. This may help defer the application of the forces needed to press the retaining member onto the tab until the retaining member is partially seated on the tab.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. Unless otherwise noted, similar reference characters are used to describe similar features on separate elements and/or embodiments.

Referring to the drawings, embodiments of a vehicle grille assembly10are described herein. The grille assembly10may include a grille20and a grille attachment30secured to the grille20by one or more retaining members40. In one or more applications, the grille assembly10is mounted on a front of a vehicle, such as a conventional passenger vehicle (not shown).

FIG. 1Ais a schematic rear view of a vehicle grille20in accordance with an embodiment described herein.FIG. 1Bis a rear perspective view of a center portion of the grille20shown inFIG. 1A, taken between section planes A and B ofFIG. 1A. In one or more arrangements, the grille20has an opening22with at least a pair of opposed edges24,26. At least one tab28extends along at least one edge of the pair of opposed edges24,26. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of similarly configured tabs28extend from and along each of the edges24and26.FIG. 1Cis a perspective view of a first side of an exemplary tab28extending from a portion of the vehicle grille20ofFIGS. 1A-1B.FIG. 1Dis a perspective view of a second side of the exemplary tab28ofFIG. 1C, opposite the tab first side.

Edges24and26may be “mirror-images” of each other with respect to a plane X1bisecting the opening22. Referring toFIGS. 1C and 1D, each tab28may have a base portion28a, an end portion28b, and two opposed faces28c,28dextending between the respective base portion28aand end portion28b. Tab faces28dmay face toward grille opening22, while tab faces22cface away from grille opening22. Each tab28may be tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the tab taken along a plane extending perpendicular to either face of the opposed faces28c,28ddecreases in a direction extending from the base portion28atoward the end portion28b. Each tab28may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The rectangular cross-sectional shape of the tab aids in maximizing surface area for contact by serrations of a rectangular retaining member40(described below) configured engage the tab28to secure a grille attachment30to the grille20, as described herein.

In one or more arrangements, tabs on opposite sides of the opening may be positioned directly opposite each other as shown inFIGS. 1B and 4A. In other arrangements, tabs along one side of the opening may be positioned along respective lines bisecting distances separating adjacent ones of tabs28on the opposite side of the opening (i.e., a “staggered” arrangement). The grille20may be formed from any suitable polymer material, thereby enabling tabs28having the characteristics described herein to be molded integrally into the grille20. A shoulder27may be formed on each of edges24,26adjacent each tab face28c.

As seen inFIGS. 1D, 4A, and 4C, the grille20may include one or more hard stop(s)29extending along a perimeter of the grille opening22and opposite a portion of the grille attachment30. The hard stop(s)29may extend along opposite sides of the grille opening22. The hard stop(s)29may be structured to limit a distance d3past which each tab end portion28bextends past the second end32bof an associated grille attachment slot32(described below) when the tab28is inserted into the slot32as seen inFIG. 4C. This may control a degree of deflection of serrations45,47of retaining member40(described below) during application of the retaining member to an associated tab28. The hard stop(s)29may also control a depth to which the body portion30aof the grille attachment30is received in the grille opening22.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the grille attachment30may include at least one slot32structured for receiving an associated one of the grille tabs28therein. In one or more particular arrangements, the grille attachment30may have a body portion30aand a first flange34extending from a first side30bof the body portion30a. The first flange34may have at least one slot32structured to receive a first tab28therein. A second flange36may extend from a second side30cof the body portion30aopposite the first side30b. The second flange36may have at least one slot32structured to receive a second tab28therein. The embodiment of the grille attachment shown inFIGS. 2 and 4Aincludes multiple slots formed along each of flanges34and36to receive associated ones of tabs28ofFIG. 1Btherein. The grille attachment30ofFIG. 2shows an arrangement of slots32corresponding to the arrangement of tabs28shown inFIG. 1B. At least part of the body portion30amay be structured to be received in the grille opening22.

Referring toFIG. 4C, each slot may be structured so that the associated one of the grille tabs28extends into a first end32aof the slot, through the length of the slot32, and out of the slot past a second end32bof the slot spaced apart from the first end32aof the slot32. The grille attachment30may be an element incorporating a design or emblem, a light source, or any other desired element or device. In one or more arrangements, the grille attachment30may be a light source, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) light module.

To mount the grille attachment30to the grille20, the slots32in the grille attachment flanges34,36may be aligned with the grille tabs28. Then the grille attachment30may be pushed toward the grille20. In one or more particular arrangements, as seen inFIG. 4C, a spacer or gasket61may be positioned between the grille hard stop(s)29and the grille attachment30. The spacer61may be formed from a material such as an ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT) rubber to help absorb vibration and prevent rattling.

Referring toFIGS. 3, 4B, and 4C, after the grille attachment30has been mounted on the tabs28, a retaining member40may be applied to the tabs28in a manner described herein to secure the grille attachment30to the grille20. The retaining member40may have an opening42structured to receive therein an associated one of tabs28. Opening42may have a pair of opposed edges44and46.

Retaining member40may include a plurality of serrations extending from at least one edge of the opening42in a direction toward the opening. In the embodiment shown, the retaining member40includes a first plurality of serrations45extending from edge44a direction toward the opening42, and a second plurality47of serrations extending from opposite edge46a direction toward the opening42. End edges49and50of opening42may also have one or more additional serrations formed therealong. The retaining member opening42may have a rectangular shape so that each edge of the opening42is spaced apart a predetermined distance from and opposite an associated portion of a tab28.

In embodiments described herein, the serrations45,47may be structured to contact at least one of the two opposed faces28c,28dof an associated tab28so as to resiliently deflect in directions E1and E2as the retaining member40is applied to the tab28in a direction D2leading from the tab end portion28btoward the tab base portion28aso as to insert the tab28into the retaining member opening42. This generates a retention force acting between the plurality of serrations45,47and the grille tab28to retain the retaining member40and the grille attachment30on the tab28. “Resilient deflection” of the serrations is defined herein to mean that, after the retaining member40has been pushed down a length of the tab28so as to reside adjacent the tab base portion28aas shown inFIG. 4C, the serrations retain at least some degree of resiliency or elasticity which would tend to return the serrations to their undeflected states in the absence of contact with the tab28. This helps ensure that a bearing or retention force is generated between the serrations45,47and the tab28even after the retaining member40has been fully applied to or seated on the tab28.

In embodiments having serrations formed along a single edge of the retaining member opening42, one face of the tab28may bear against one of edges44,46of the retaining member opening without the serrations, while the serrations along the opposite edge of the opening42press against the opposite face of the tab28.

Referring toFIG. 4C, in one or more arrangements the serrations45,47may be formed in a first direction D1out of a plane P1of the retaining member40prior to contact with the tab28, and the retaining member40may be structured for application to the tab28so that the tab is inserted into the retaining member opening42in the first direction D1. This forming of the serrations45,47in direction D1may enable the serrations to provide lead-ins for the tab end portion28binto the retaining member opening42.

Referring toFIG. 4C, in one or more arrangements, the tab end portion28band the serrations45,47may be structured so that the tab end portion28bis insertable into the retaining member opening42without contacting any of the serrations45,47. During application of the retaining member40to the tabs28in direction D2, the serrations45,47eventually come into contact with the tab28along faces28c,28d. In addition, due to the tapering of the tab28, the deflections of the serrations45,47may increase as a distance between the tab base portion28aand retaining member40decreases as the retaining member is pushed toward the tab base portion28a. This arrangement may minimize any force needed to initially position the retaining member40onto the tab28. Then, all or most of the force needed to apply or seat the retaining member40on the tab28may be needed only after the tab end28ahas been inserted through the retaining member opening42and the retaining member40is already well-positioned on the tab28.

Referring toFIG. 4C, the serrations45,47may be structured so that pointed ends or tips45a,47aof the serrations tend to bite into exterior surfaces of the tab28when a force is exerted on the retaining member40in the first direction D1after the retaining member40is applied to the tab28. This structure helps retain the retaining member40in position on the tab28, so that the retaining member40fastens the grille attachment30to the grille20.

Referring toFIG. 4C, in one or more arrangements, the serrations may be pre-bent (i.e., bent prior to contact with any portion of the tab28) in the first direction D1out of the plane P1of the retaining member40, and the retaining member40may be structured for application to the tab28so that the tab is inserted into the retaining member opening42in the first direction D1. This structure may provide a lead-in for insertion of the tab end portion28binto the retaining member opening42.