Trim flap-like closeout edge attachment

A vehicle trim component includes a trim body, with a primary fastener extending from the trim body. The primary fastener includes a first end and a second end. The first end includes a push clip head that is configured to substantially fit and project through an aperture in the vehicle panel. The second end is connected to the trim body. The secondary fastener is rotatably connected to the trim body by a living hinge and is positioned to engage the vehicle panel at an edge portion of the vehicle panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the attachment of a vehicle trim component to a vehicle body, and more particularly securement of the trim component to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A motor vehicle body typically includes panels where the vertical sides of the body intersect the horizontal floor of the body. These panels are exposed to the exterior of the vehicle and are often made of unfinished materials. The vehicle panels are commonly covered or shrouded by trim components that alleviate the unsightliness of the panels and provide an aesthetically pleasing look to the vehicle.

Typically, a series of apertures are manufactured into the paneling, thereby providing trim components the ability to be secured to the vehicle body with screws or other fasteners using various methods. The series of apertures is commonly found along the longitudinal direction at a position near the vertical center of the panel. However, securing at only one position along the longitudinal axis often causes excessive vibration, which leads to undesirable noise for occupants of the vehicle. To eliminate this problem, many panels have had additional apertures provided near the edge of the paneling to provide for further security and stability of the trim component. However, vehicle manufacturers frequently employ a pumpable sealer to seal gaps between the welded sheet metals of the vehicle body, in order to prevent water leakage into the passenger compartment. This sealer often leaks in positions near the edge of the paneling, thereby filling or clogging the surface of the fastener aperture. Filling or clogging makes attachment of the trim component difficult when using fasteners that project through holes at an edge portion of the vehicle panel. Accordingly, an apparatus is desired having the aforementioned advantages and solving and/or making improvements on the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle trim component for a vehicle comprising a trim body. Further included is a primary fastener that includes a projection that extends from the trim body and includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end projects through an aperture in a vehicle panel and the second end is connected to the trim body. A secondary fastener includes a retention flap rotatably connected to the trim body by a living hinge. The flap has an engagement head that engages an edge portion of the vehicle panel to securely attach the trim component to the vehicle.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle trim component comprising a trim body. Also included is a primary fastener extending from the trim body. The primary fastener includes a first end and a second end. The first end includes a push clip head that is configured to substantially fit and project through an aperture in a vehicle panel. The second end is connected to the trim body. A secondary fastener is rotatably connected to the trim body by a living hinge and is positioned to engage the vehicle panel at an edge portion of the vehicle panel.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of covering a vehicle panel. The method involves forming an aperture in the vehicle panel. The method also involves providing a vehicle trim component for attachment to the vehicle panel, wherein the trim component includes a trim body, a primary fastener extending from the trim body. The primary fastener includes a first end and a second end. The first end has a push clip head that is configured to substantially fit and project through an aperture on a vehicle panel, while the second end is connected to the trim component. The trim component is then attached to the vehicle panel by inserting the primary fastener within the aperture in the vehicle panel. The method further includes the step of attaching a secondary fastener rotatably connected to the trim body by a living hinge, with the secondary fastener positioned to engage the vehicle panel at an edge portion of the vehicle panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, a portion of the body of a vehicle30having exposed body paneling32is generally illustrated. The vehicle30may be a wheeled automotive vehicle according to one embodiment. Also illustrated are various vehicle trim components34, shown exploded from the body paneling32prior to attachment, which cover or shroud the unfinished portions of the body paneling32. The trim components34may be configured to attach to the body paneling30according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The vehicle trim component34is shown inFIGS. 2-8configured to attach to a body panel32of vehicle30according to a first embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle trim component34comprises a trim body72, and a plurality of primary fasteners36connected to, and extending from, the trim body72. The primary fasteners36each include a first end38and a second end40. The first end38includes a push clip head42that is configured to substantially fit and project through an aperture44in a vehicle panel32. The push clip head42has at least one resilient retention flap that is compressed when inserted through aperture44and expanded after insertion to prevent withdrawal of fastener36from panel32. The second end40is connected to the trim body72. A plurality of secondary fasteners46are rotatably connected to the trim body72along the lower edge. Each secondary fastener46has a living hinge48and is positioned to engage the vehicle panel32at an edge portion of the vehicle panel32.

In the illustrated example, a vehicle trim component34has a series of housings52on the inner surface which hold primary fasteners36, such as a push clip42, that engage the vehicle panel32by being pressed through the apertures44of the vehicle panel32. Each primary fastener36is a projection that extends from the trim body72, with a head or prongs that are capable of being pushed through each aperture44. Upon entry through the aperture44, the push clip head42of primary fastener36expands, thereby preventing withdrawal of the primary fastener36from aperture44and holding the trim component34fastened to vehicle panel32. To further secure the trim component34to the vehicle panel32, the secondary fasteners46are located along the lower edge of the trim body72. The secondary fasteners46are aligned to engage the vehicle panel32at a lower edge section of the vehicle panel32. Attachment to an outer portion of the vehicle panel32avoids the problem of projecting through the lower portion of the vehicle base32, where pumpable sealer68commonly clogs such apertures.

Each secondary fastener46includes a flap54that is rotatably connected to the trim body72and extends outwardly from the trim body72, towards the panel32. Each flap54contains an angled or rounded cam surface56that allows for an edge portion of the vehicle panel32to slide over the cam surface56of the flap54. As the flap54engages panel32, the cam surface56slides so as to bias the flap54to cause the flap54to rotate downward to accommodate engagement of the flap54to the panel32. The flap54has an upstanding U-shaped channel58that receives and retains the bottom edge of panel32once the panel32passes over the cam surface56. The flap54is made of a material that is capable of being deformed in the aforementioned manner, yet of sufficient resiliency to retain the original position of the flap54subsequent to complete passage of the panel32over the cam surface56. An oppositely-configured surface is positioned closer to the trim component34, thereby creating the upstanding U-channel58that retains the vehicle panel32upon entry into the channel58. The channel58shape and dimensions are based on the shape and dimensions of the edge portion of the panel32and must accommodate the edge portion accordingly.FIG. 7illustrates complete engagement of a trim component34to a vehicle panel32andFIG. 8further illustrates the engagement of the secondary fastener46. The additional security provided by the secondary fastener46ensures engagement of the trim component34to the vehicle panel32and reduces movement of the components relating to each other.

Referring toFIGS. 9-15, a vehicle trim component34ais shown according to a second embodiment connected to a body panel32aof a vehicle. The vehicle trim component34ahas a trim body72aand primary fasteners36athat connect to body panel32athe same or similar to the primary fasteners36described in the first embodiment. Since vehicle trim component34ais similar to the previously-described vehicle trim component34of the first embodiment, similar parts appearing inFIGS. 2-8andFIGS. 9-15, respectively, are represented by the same corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter.

In the illustrated second embodiment, the trim component34ahas a plurality of housings52aand primary fasteners36a,configured and aligned, similar to that of the previously-described vehicle trim component34of the first embodiment. The illustrated vehicle body panel32ahas notches60located along the lower edge of the panel32a.The notches60extend upward from the bottom edge and are configured to receive and engage the secondary fasteners46aof the trim component34a.

Each secondary fastener46ais located along the lower edge of the trim body72aand projects outwardly. The secondary fastener46ais rotatably connected to the trim body72aand, similar to the first embodiment, is made of a material having sufficient resiliency to regain its original position subsequent to engagement of the vehicle panel32a.Each secondary fastener46ahas an angled or rounded cam surface64at an outer location and is configured to slide into the notch60in the lower edge of the vehicle panel32a.Deformation of each secondary fastener46aoccurs until the lower edge of panel32acompletely slides over the cam surface64. Similar to the previous embodiment, the secondary fastener46ahas a channel58athat is configured to receive and retain the lower edge portion of the vehicle panel32a,thereby providing additional security for the engagement between the trim component34aand the vehicle panel32a.FIG. 14illustrates complete engagement of the trim component34ato a vehicle panel32aandFIG. 15further illustrates the engagement of the secondary fastener46a.

Referring toFIGS. 16-23, a vehicle trim component34bis illustrated according to a third embodiment connected to a body panel32bof a vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle trim component34bhas a trim body72band primary fasteners36bthat connect to body panel32bthe same or similar to the primary fasteners36described in the first embodiment. Since vehicle trim component34bis similar to the previously-described vehicle trim component34, similar parts appearing inFIGS. 2-8andFIGS. 16-23, respectively, are represented by the same corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “b” in the numerals of the latter.

In the illustrated third embodiment, the trim component34bhas a plurality of housings52band primary fasteners36b,configured and aligned, similar to that of the previously-described vehicle trim component34bfor a vehicle. The illustrated vehicle panel32bhas notches60blocated along the lower edge of the body panel32b.The notches60bare configured to receive and engage the flaps54bof the trim component34bwhich serve as secondary fasteners46b.

As shown, each secondary fastener46bis located along a lower edge of the trim body72b,each secondary fastener46bis rotatably connected to the trim body72bby a living hinge48bthat allows the flap54bto obtain a secure and unsecure position. Once the flaps54bare aligned with each notch60balong the lower edge of the vehicle panel32b,the flaps54bcan be flipped upwards to snap into a secure position by engaging opposing detents70formed in the sidewalls of notches60b.

Accordingly, the vehicle trim component advantageously provides for a more secure and stable attachment of the trim component to a vehicle, thereby reducing vibration of the trim component while the vehicle is in motion. As a result, a reduction in noise is accomplished, providing a more pleasurable driving experience. Additionally, the attachment to an outer portion of the vehicle panel eliminates the problem associated with clogging of apertures located at lower regions of the vehicle base.