Motor vehicle body structure for receiving snap-fit modular headliner fasteners

Abstract: A motor vehicle body support structure (100) for receiving a snap-fit fastener (44) from a modular headliner (10). The vehicle body structure includes sheet metal members (108,120) defining slots (110,112,122,124) extending in the left/right, front/back directions, the slots (110,122;112,124) which are in alignment extend in opposite directions such that a modular headliner may be assembled to multiple sheet metal members while maintaining alignment of the modular headliner within the motor vehicle to which it is being installed.

Description: The present invention relates to the positioning of multiple openings in distinct sheet steel members to provide for the necessary flexibility, alignment and support for a snap-fit modular headliner to be mounted within a motor vehicle. Background of the Invention In order to provide a modular headliner which may be snap-fitted into the vehicle body structure, it is necessary to provide appropriate openings to allow the modular headliner to be installed while recognizing that part variances and tolerances, welding and other factors affect the vehicle part spacing and alignment during the assembly process. The typical structure to which the sunshades and headliner are mounted is an extending flange from the A-pillar inner (also known as windshield side inner) on either side of the front of the car. These two A-pillar inners are completely distinct sheet steel members. The spacing between openings formed one in each A-pillar is not necessarily consistent nor is the front to back spacing constant. A header (also known as a windshield inner upper) extends across the front of many vehicles above the terminal ends of the A-pillar inners and may be formed such that all the openings therein are stamped simultaneously such that the positioning between the openings therein is maintained constant. The problem is then to determine how to mount a modular headliner using a snap-fit engagement to the sheet metal of the body structure and still provide for finished vehicles having the headliner installed at the right location in alignment and otherwise be a world class product. EP-A-88931 discloses a modular headliner system using components having a large tolerance. In particular, it discloses a headliner 10 which includes apertures within which attachment means 17, 17a are disposed. The attachment means include eccentric nuts 18, 20 which engage with corresponding holes in the roof frame. On rotation of the attachment means, the headliner 10 is brought into tight engagement with the roof frame. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet metal structure for receiving a snap-fit fastener. It is another object of the present invention to provide a plurality of openings appropriately arranged such that a modular headliner may be installed on a snap-fit basis thereto while being appropriately aligned with the vehicle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sheet metal structure defining openings to allow components to be secured thereto. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a safe, economical, reliable and easy to utilize configuration of fastening openings. Other objects will be apparent from the description to follow and from the appended claims. These and other object are achieved by the present invention as defined in the appended claims and in a preferred embodiment of the invention by the provision of a motor vehicle body support structure for receiving a snap-fit modular headliner wherein the motor vehicle has a front and a back, a left side and a right side, including a left side A-pillar sheet metal means extending in the generally horizontally plane adjacent the front left side of the roof and defining a left side A-pillar opening extending in the left to right direction, a right side A-pillar sheet metal means extending in the generally horizontal plane adjacent the front right side of the roof and defining a right side A-pillar opening extending in the left to right direction and a header extending adjacent the roof from the left side A-pillar sheet metal means to the right side A-pillar sheet metal means, said header defining a left side header opening extending in a front to rear direction and a right side header opening extending in a front to rear direction, said header opening being positioned in alignment with A-pillar openings. Also disclosed is a motor vehicle body structure including sheet metal defining a series of openings sized to allow snap-fit fasteners from a modular headliner to extend therethrough and to engage the sheet metal adjacent to the openings for mounting the modular headliner to the vehicle body structure,which includes means for receiving a left side sunshade fastener and including a first sheet metal means defining a slot extending in a first direction and second sheet metal means defining a slot extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction and means for receiving a right side sunshade fastener including a third sheet metal means defining a slot extending in a third direction and fourth sheet metal means defining a slot extending in the fourth direction generally perpendicular to the third direction. The second and third sheet metal means may be a unitary sheet metal member such as the header whereas the first and fourth sheet metal means may be the respective A-pillar inners. Additionally, the motor vehicle includes a left side rail inner and a right side rail inner each of which defines openings which is appropriately sized to receive a fastener extending from a modular headliner. The herein described combination of openings, having a long dimension for allowing sliding movement of the fastener within the opening in one direction and having a shorter dimension for preventive sliding motion in the opposite direction has been found particularly useful with the fastener of the type shown. By providing a plurality of openings, it is possible to maintain the desired alignment of the headliner while allowing for a snap-fit arrangement. If a modular headliner was mounted only to A-pillar openings, then based upon the alignment of the openings in the A-pillar, the entire headliner might be skewed due to a minor variation in the relative positions of the openings, such as variations which usually occur during the assembly process. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular headliner assembly positioned adjacent the vehicle windshield opening for assembly therethrough. Figure 1A is a sectional detail view of Figure 1 taken at the indicated line. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a modular headliner assembly and appropriate portions of the vehicle body structure. Figure 3 is a partially sectional end view of a sunshade/headliner fastener shown mounted in the vehicle. Figure 3A is a partial sectional view of a portion of the sunshade/headliner fastener. Figure 3B is a sectional view of Figure 3A taken at the indicated line. Figure 3C is a sectional view of Figure 3A taken at the indicated line. Figure 4 is an exploded view of a headliner/sunshade fastener and vehicle parts to which it is assembled. Figure 4A is a side view of a modified sunshade fastener. Figure 5 is a top view of the vehicle body structure showing the mounting locations for a modular headliner. The invention will be described with reference to a specific embodiment or embodiments hereof. It is understood that this invention has applicability with minor modifications to many vehicle lines, body styles, trim levels and structures, and it is to be anticipated that various changes can be made to the disclosed embodiments within the scope of the invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular headliner assembly 10 about to be installed into motor vehicle 200. The motor vehicle is shown having windshield opening 20, left A-pillar 22 and right A-pillar 24. The modular headliner is mounted into the partially assembled vehicle through the windshield or other large window opening which could also be the rear window opening. In this manner, the body structure of the vehicle may be assembled prior to the modular headliner assembly being mounted thereto. Modular headliner assembly 10 consists of all those components between the decorative interior surface of the headliner and the body structure of the vehicle. The modular headliner 10 must be appropriately configured such that when assembled, the modular headliner may be shipped, handled and installed in the vehicle and potentially mistreated during a portion of this process without having the interior surface damaged, without distortion or bending due to uneven stresses and without affecting the function of the various components thereof. As may be specifically seen in Figures 1 and 1A, the headliner includes a substrate 12 made from a material such as molded fiberglass, styrene, cardboard, a polymeric material, or as is otherwise as known in the art. Substrate 12 has mounted on the surface thereof a decorative covering or surface 16 which is the surface visible to an occupant of the finished vehicle. The opposite side of substrate 12 from that on which decorative surface 16 is mounted is the non-show surface, surface 14. Left sunshade 40 and right sunshade 42 are mounted to the substrate by the use of left sunshade fastener 44 and right sunshade fastener 46. Additionally shown as part of the modular headliner are assist straps 80 which are retained to the modular headliner by retainers 84 interacting with assist strap legs 82. Also shown as a portion of modular headliner 10 is center console 50 which is shown secured to retainer 52 within depressed portion 51 formed in the substrate. A mesh fastener 56 is shown located to extend upwardly from retainer 52. Likewise, forward console 60 is shown mounted within depressed portion 61 formed in the headliner in combination with forward retainer 62. Forward retainer 62 includes an outwardly projecting area through which left inboard sunshade support 64 and right inboard sunshade support 68 extend. Appropriate retainers 94 are shown for securing the legs of the inboard sunshade supports to hold the inboard sunshade supports in position. Further shown as part of the modular headliner is wire harness 30 having a wire bundle 32, including a vehicle electrical connector 34 and a series of accessory connectors 72 located adjacent each accessory requiring electrical connections. Complementary connectors 74 extend from each accessory and mate with accessory connectors 72 to form a completed wire harness. Vehicle electrical connector 34 is typically connected to a mating connection extending from the vehicle body electrical system in an easy to access area such as one of the A-pillars. Additionally it may be seen that the modular headliner wire harness is secured within substrate channels 31 such that the wire is maintained therein. Additionally, adhesive 36 may be placed over the wire bundle to secure the wire bundle within the channel. In this manner, the wires are protected from inadvertent contact with roof bows or other roof structure and the potential for damage to the wires is avoided. As may be seen in Figure 1, the modular headliner assembly is about to be inserted into the vehicle for assembly thereto. The left and right sunshade fasteners, 44 and 46, extend upwardly and include legs for engaging with the metal structure of the vehicle to mount the same thereto. Likewise, assist straps 80 have upwardly extending legs 82 which engage appropriate openings in the body structure to also secure the modular headliner to the vehicle. Furthermore, mesh fastener 56 may appropriately interact with a corresponding mesh fastener to likewise secure the headliner to the body structure. Hence, the left and right sunshade fasteners and at least one of the two assist strap handles are used for securing the modular headliner assembly to the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the mesh fastener of retainer 52 may likewise serve such a function. Also not to be ignored are the right inboard sunshade support and the left inboard sunshade support which also include legs for engaging the sheet metal structure of the vehicle. In order to assemble the modular headliner to the vehicle, the headliner is slid through a large window opening such as a windshield opening and placed in general position to which it is to be mounted. An operator then positions one of the sunshade fasteners to feel when the fastener mates with an appropriate opening. The sunshade fastener is then snap-fitted into the opening to mount that portion of the modular headliner. The same process is then followed with the other sunshade fastener, the assist straps and the inboard sunshade supports. In this manner, the entire modular headliner may be snap-fitted to the motor vehicle. Thereafter, an appropriate electrical connection is made at vehicle electrical connector 34 and the assembly process for the headliner is complete. In Figure 2 an exploded view of a modular headliner about to be mounted to a vehicle body structure is shown. In this view it may be seen that modular headliner 10 incorporates many various subassemblies such that all the appropriate subassemblies are mounted to the modular headliner and such that they may be readily fastened to the vehicle body structure. The wire harness 30 of the modular headliner assembly includes a series of accessory connectors 72 each adapted to be connected to the appropriate electrical accessory mounted to the headliner. The wire harness assembly is further shown slightly exploded from channels 31 formed in the substrate for securing the headliner wire harness therein. This wire harness assembly is shown somewhat schematically and may, in fact, be located at different positions about the headliner, such positions being chosen for having optimum room for securing wires therein and for providing optimum space between the headliner and the vehicle body structure to prevent any accidental contact therebetween. The center console 50 is shown having a complementary connector 74 extending therefrom for connection to accessory connector 72. Front console 60 has a complementary connector 97 and sunshade module 130 has a complementary connector 139, designed to be connected to accessory connectors 72 to form the integrated wire harness of the modular headliner assembly. Center console 50 and forward console 60 are shown somewhat in schematic format. It is to be understood that these consoles may include features such as overhead lights, reading lights, displays, vanity mirrors, garage door opener compartments,switches, and other control features such that a modular headliner wire harness may include a significant number of conductors. Additionally, the sunshade modules as shown are anticipated to be sunshade modules incorporating illuminated vanity mirrors which likewise require a power supply. Center console 50 is mounted through a substrate center module opening 39 formed in depressed portion 51 of the substrate to retainer 52 mounted on the opposite side of the substrate. Retainer 52 may have extending wings which act to distribute the load of the console over a wide area of the substrate such that uneven loading or distortion during the shipping or handling process is avoided. The substrate about the console is depressed and defines an opening therein. The console covers the end of the depression including the opening to form a neat, highly attractive module. Mesh fastener 56 attached to a back portion of the retainer or alternatively to the console is designed to interact with mesh fastener 58 secured at location 59 to the roof bows of the vehicle body structure. This mesh retainer is preferably a Dual Lock retainer. By the selection of Dual Lock material, it is possible that the headliner may slide into position with one portion of the Dual Lock fastener sliding relative to the other. The Dual Lock fastener has the property that it does not grab and lock until the two fasteners are forced one into the other such as when the substrate is displaced upwardly locking it into its final position. Prior to such time, the headliner and the two mesh portions may be slid relative to one another to allow positioning and alignment of the headliner. This is quite different from other mesh fasteners which grab upon contact and may not thereafter be readily displaced. Front console 60 is shown having snap legs 98 which extend upwardly through substrate front console opening 37 formed in depressed portion 61 to engage retainer 62. Retainer 62 has wings 90 which define wing openings 92. Inboard sunshade supports 64 and 68 extend with fastening legs 63 projecting upwardly through substrate openings 35, through retainer openings 92 and are secured in position by retainers 94 including spring legs 96 and, upon final assembly, extend through header openings 126 in the vehicle body structure. Each of the inboard sunshade supports 64 and 68 includes a receptacle 67 for a secondary visor and a slot 65 for receiving a primary visor. As is seen in reference to sunshade module 130, the module includes a primary visor 132 and a secondary visor 134. The primary visor is mounted on the pivot rod 136 and the secondary visor is mounted on the pivot rod 137. The sunshade module further includes fastener 44,46 having a base 170, cover 150 and wires 138 extending therebetween. The primary visor is mounted for pivoted movement with pivot rod 136 and for rotation about the pivot rod 136 between a stored position against the headliner and a downward position to shield an occupant's eyes from sunlight entering through the windshield. When the primary visor is pivoted to block the sunlight coming through the side window, then the secondary visor may be rotated downwardly to block sunlight entering in through the windshield. Assist straps 80 include projecting legs 84 projecting through the headliner substrate. Retainers 82 are shown in engagement with legs 84 to secure the assist straps to the headliner. An assist strap may include handle 86 and a coat hook 88, and is mounted in an appropriate position to provide a grab handle for an occupant entering or leaving the vehicle. Assist strap openings 105 are shown defined by inside rail 104 of the vehicle body structure 100. It is to these assist strap openings 105 that legs 82 engage to hold the assist strap and consequently the modular headliner in position. Fastener 44 engages the vehicle body structure through left A-pillar opening 112 formed in left A-pillar inner 108, a portion of A-pillar 22. In the same manner, right fastener 46 is inserted through the right A-pillar opening 110 of right A-pillar inner 106, a portion of right A-pillar 24. Both fasteners are likewise mounted through header left sunshade fastener 124 and header right sunshade fastener 122 openings, both being openings in header 120. Vehicle body structure 100 as shown includes a series of roof bows 102 and the header and A-pillars as previously mentioned. Additionally, vehicle body structure 100 includes side rail 104 defining openings 105 to which the various assist strap legs may be engaged. Hence, it may be seen from Figure 2 that the entire modular headliner assembly may be secured to the vehicle body structure with the vehicle body structure merely providing appropriately sized and positioned openings. No other structure need be added to the vehicle body structure to allow the modular headliner to be secured thereto. All the fasteners for securing the modular headliner are affixed to the modular headliner such that the vehicle assembler need only mount the modular headliner to the vehicle body structure and need not add any intermediate fastener or receptacle portions to do such except for mesh fastener 58. Figure 3 shows a partially sectional view of fastener 44 secured to a vehicle. As may be seen therein, the fastener is positioned below roof 103 and fits in opening 124 of header 120 and through left A-pillar opening 112 of A-pillar inner 108. Additionally, substrate 12 having a non-show surface 14 and decorative surface 16 are shown. Fastener 44 has a cover 150 and a base 170 which includes a projection 176 which defines an opening therein for receiving the secondary visor. Pivot rod flange 178 is shown encompassing pivot rod 136 although it might be considered to be a portion of the pivot rod as opposed to a portion of the base. Additionally, the base includes a torque fitting support 180 through which the pivot rod will extend. The torque fitting will engage the top of the torque fitting support such that the pivot rod is maintained to the base by the torque fitting engaging the torque fitting support. The torque fitting support may include a torque fitting opening 181 which allows the torque fitting to be inserted through the base, said torque fitting including a key 151 and a wire guide area 169. Once the torque fitting is inserted through the torque fitting support, the torque fitting is then rotated to prevent its removal through the torque fitting support and is retained from rotation therein by torque fitting indent 183. The cover then secures the torque fitting in the position to which it has been rotated. Bezel 172 is shown extending generally parallel with substrate 12 and of sufficient area to engage substrate 12 such that substrate 12 will be pushed upwardly by bezel 172 as the fastener is mounted. Centering arms 174 and bezel ribs 175 are also shown extending upwardly from bezel 172. Cover 150 defines a pair of legs 152 and 154 extending outwardly therefrom. These legs are flexible and may be compressed to allow the cover to fit through the left A-pillar opening 112. Each leg has a curved end 156, and when inserted through the opening, the leg is compressed and as the cover approaches the fully inserted position, the leg bows outwardly with only the downward most end being received by the edges of the opening. The end of the leg is curved and the combination of the bowing of the leg and the curve provides a camming action which, once the leg is released, will cause the leg to snap behind A-pillar inner 108 as shown such that the legs act to prevent the fastener from being moved downwardly. The center of cover 150 is defined as torque fitting receiving area 158 into which the torque fitting connected to the rod will be maintained. Cover 150 further includes platform portion 160 which engages the top surface of substrate 12 and the opposite surface of A-pillar inner 108 from the surface that the flanges engage. Cover 150 additionally includes a platform rib 162 extending downwardly from platform portion 160 which acts to engage bezel 172 and bezel ribs 175 such that spacing is provided therebetween, said spacing being appropriately sized to receive substrate 12. The engagement of platform rib 162 and bezel rib 175 actsto align the cover to the fastener and prevent any applied torque from rotating the base without transmitting the rotation to the cover and consequently the vehicle body structure. Referring now to Figure 3A, there may be seen a partial sectional view of the fastener. Therein, cover 150 is shown with torque fitting 164 contained therewithin. Torque fitting 164 is typically molded to the pivot rod. Annular indent 166 is provided on the pivot rod to engage the torque fitting to prevent linear displacement of the torque fitting along the pivot rod. Torque fitting 164 is maintained by cover 150 in the desired position, and will not rotate relative thereto. The rod, however, will rotate relative to the torque fitting, and it is this torque relationship that provides the resistance necessary as the sunshade is pivoted between the position covering the windshield and the position covering the side window. Platform 160 and rib 162 are shown extending above the substrate, the rib acting to space the cover from the base. Wires 168 are shown extending from rod 136 and are those wires used to supply power to the illuminated vanity mirror portions of the sunshade. Wires 168 exit upwardly from the pivot rod and then traverse downwardly within wire guide area 169. The wires then make a right angle turn and exit through wire opening area 167. The wires are then positioned at the top of the substrate and may have a connector located at the end thereof for connecting to the modular headliner wire harness. Base 170 is shown having a bezel engaged to the substrate and is additionally shown having screws 172, 177 which may secure the base to the cover to form an integral fastener. Torque fitting support 180 is shown positioned to have torque fitting 164 resting thereon such that as the base is secured to the cover, the base through the torque fitting support will maintain the torque fitting in the desired position to secure the sunshade thereto. Pivot rod flange 178 and pivot rod 136 are also shown such that a decorative connection may be made between the pivot rod and the base. Pivot rod flange 178 may extend down the pivot rod and around a right angle bend therein. Figure 3B is a sectional view taken in Figure 3A at the indicated location showing the various relationships between pivot rod 136 and the wires passing therethrough. Torque fitting 164 is shown encircling pivot rod 166 and includes key 151 extending outwardly to be engaged by the cover to prevent the torque fitting from rotating. Additionally shown are wire guide projections 165 defining a wire guide area 169 in which wires 168 may be enclosed and also serving to prevent the torque fitting from rotating. Figure 3C is a sectional view taken in Figure 3A at the indicated location showing torque fitting opening 181 is sized to allow the rod with the torque fitting mounted thereto to pass through the torque fitting support. The rod and fitting are thereafter rotated such that the wire guide projections and the key of the torque fitting engage the torque fitting support to secure the torque fitting to the fastener. Torque fitting indent 183 helps retain the torque fitting in the rotated position prior to the assembly of the cover to the base. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the fastener showing how the various parts go together. Starting at the bottom, it may be seen that pivot rod 136 has pivot rod flange 178 and torque fitting 164 secured thereto. Wire guide projections 165 are shown with wires 168 secured therebetween. The orientation of the torque fitting is shown in the as assembled configuration and not in the orientation necessary to pass through the base. Base 170 is shown having projection 176 for receiving the secondary visor and an opening 179 for the receipt of the secondary visor rod 137. The torque fitting support 180 is shown for the receipt of the torque fitting on the rod. Centering arms 174 are shown extending upwardly from base 170. Substrate 12 is shown defining a substrate opening 33 through which the fastener may pass. Cover 150 is shown having flanges 152 and 154, a platform portion 160 and platform rib 162. An A-pillar inner 108 defining an opening 112 and header 120 defining header opening 124 are shown both positioned below roof 103. Upon assembly of the fastener, a number of interactions happen to help secure the entire assembly in the desired position. The pivot rod is first mounted to the base by the torque fitting including the pivot rod being inserted through the base and then rotated to its assembled position. The pivot rod is thereby secured relative to the base by the fit of the torque fitting against the torque fitting support. The base of the pivot rod is then placed against the substrate with the centering arms extending outwardly therethrough and the base ribs extending upwardly. Cover 150 is then secured to the substrate with platform portion 160 engaging the top of the substrate and platform ribs 162 extending downwardly therethrough within the substrate opening 33, said ribs acting to form a spacer between the base and the cover such that the substrate is maintained within the space defined by the spacer and said ribs engaging the cover ribs to align the cover to the base and to transmit torque between the cover and the base. Centering arms 174 also include notches therein for engaging the A-pillar inner to additionally provide spacing. Furthermore, the coacting ribs extend upwardly from the base to coact with the platform ribs to both align the fastener, center the fastener, and to additionally provide means for spacing the cover from the support. The fastener is assembled by screws being inserted to secure the base portion to the cover portion. Thereafter, the entire assembly may be snap-fitted to the vehicle. As may be seen in Figure 3, in the unassembled position, the cover is forced through A-pillar opening 112 thereby compressing legs 152 and 154. In this position, the legs readily fit through the opening. Once the legs have passed through the opening, they are released since they are no longer in contact with the opening, and the legs spring outwardly to engage the vehicle body structure on the opposite side of the A-pillar inner such that the sunshade and headliner are mounted to the A-pillar inner. In this manner, the entire modular assembly or simply a sunshade or a sunshade/headliner combination are maintained in the desired position. The curvilinear ends of the legs act to assure that the legs will snap outwardly. The incline or the generally pointed nature of the top of the fastener assures that the fastener will enter the opening correctly to facilitate the displacement of the fastener relative to the opening, said displacement acting to compress the legs until they snap outwardly. Opening 112 is sized to allow the cover to pass therethrough and then to allow the fastener to slide in the left/right direction as viewed from Figure 4. However, centering arms 174 extend upwardly and engage the edges of A-pillar inner 108 which define opening 112 and prevent the fastener from sliding in the left/right direction as seen therein. Header opening 124 defined by header 120 as can be seen in Figure 4 is larger than the cover as inserted therein. However, in a plane perpendicular to the paper in Figure 4, the header opening is sized to just receive cover 150, and hence movement of the fastener is limited, in the direction in and out of the paper, by the fit of the cover within the header opening. Referring now to Figure 4A, there can be seen a slightly different embodiment of the fastener. In this embodiment, the fastener cover does not include a platform 160. Herein, the cover engages the A-pillar inner on one side and the base engages substrate 12 on the opposite side. This embodiment is specifically designed for subassembly as a fastener and sunshade combination to a vehicle or further in combination to also secure an already positioned headliner to the motor vehicle. It is contemplated that this fastener would be used with a subcombination of simply a sunshade and a fastener which may be used to both align an existing headliner and to provide support for the headliner and the fastener. This combination does not provide for the substrate to be sandwiched between the cover and the base. As may be seen in Figure 4A, the components are essentially the same as those of the fastener of Figure 4 and the same reference numerals are used to refer thereto. Cover 150 includes legs 154 and 152 which engage the upward side of A-pillar inner 108. Base 170 includes an outwardly extending bezel which engages substrate 12 as the fastener is assembled. Pivot rod 136, projection 176, and opening 179 are also shown. Further as may be seen in the various Figures, wires 168 exit the fastener through wire opening area 167. Hence, it may be seen in combination with Figure 4A and Figure 3A the various mannersin which the wires traverse the fastener such that they may be connected to the modular headliner wire assembly. As further can be seen in Figure 4A, the entire fastener may be assembled including the sunshade assembled thereto, and then the fastener inserted through an opening in the substrate and then inserted through an opening in the sheet metal structure such that the substrate and sunshade to which the fastener is attached are both secured to the sheet metal structure. Although not specifically apparent in Figures 3 or 4A, centering arms 174 extend upwardly within A-pillar opening 112 or a similar opening, however, they are not in alignment with legs 154 and 152. Hence, legs 154 and 152 act independently of the centering arms to snap into position regardless of the location of the centering arms. In this manner, the free compression and expansion of the legs as the fastener is displaced through the opening are not affected by the centering arms. Figure 5 is a top view of a motor vehicle body structure. Specifically, there may be seen windshield opening 20, and rear window opening 202 of motor vehicle 200. Left A-pillar inner 108 is shown defining left A-pillar opening 112. Right A-pillar 106 is shown defining right A-pillar opening 110. Header 120 is shown having header openings 122, 124 and header inboard sunshade support openings 126. Additionally, side rails 104 are shown having openings 106. Additionally, various arrows are shown to indicate the left/right directionsand the front/back directions relative to the vehicle. When the modular headliner is assembled, fasteners 44,46 are displaced upwardly through various openings. A fastener will be displaced upwardly until the cover first engages the A-pillar inner 108. The operator will then through displacement of the angled end of cover 150 be able to feel when cover 150 enters into inner opening 112. The operator then displaces the modular headliner upwardly until the legs pass through opening 112 and snap outwardly to engage the modular headliner to the vehicle body structure. However, since the left A-pillar inner and the right A-pillar inner are two entirely separately distinct pieces of sheet metal which are assembled to the vehicle and are subject to manufacturing tolerances and variations, the relative positioning between the two is not always maintained constant. On the other hand, header 120 is a single stamping and contains a plurality of openings which are all fixed relative to one another. However, the header itself may not be necessarily secured to the A-pillar inners and the rest of the vehicle body structure always in the same position. Hence, the combination of openings overlapping one another, A-pillar opening 112 and header opening 124 and A-pillar opening 110 and header opening 122 are shown. In this manner, each opening acts to secure the displacement of the modular headliner in a single direction, but not the other direction whereby flexibility may be obtained in the manner in which the modular headliner is mounted. This flexibility is necessary to compensate for the various tolerances and variances during the assembly of the vehicle. In this manner, a single fastener may first be mounted to the vehicle structure and the modular headliner thereafter be pivoted to mate with the other openings while the entire modular headliner is aligned relative to the vehicle. By providing these sliding arrangements, a snap-fit fastening arrangement may be utilized to assemble the entire modular headliner. If no provision for relative displacement were provided, the vehicle build would have to have precise tolerances on the openings, presently unattainable, or some other method of adjusting the positioning of the modular headliner relative to the vehicle body structure would be necessary. However, with the provision of overlapping holes for allowing for sliding fits between the fastener and the combination of the headliner and the header of the A-pillar inner and the header, a snap-fit relationship is possible. As may be specifically seen from Figures 2, 5 and 4, this combination acts to allow a fastener to be inserted with the centering arms 174 securing the fastener relative to A-pillar opening 112, such that the fastener may be displaced in the left/right direction as shown in Figure 5, but not the front/back direction. However, the cover is appropriately sized such that the cover is retained in the left/right direction by the header opening such that relative to the header, the assembly may not be slid in the left/right direction. However, the cover is sized in the front/back direction relative to the header opening such that the cover may be slid in the front/back direction. Consequently, one opening for each fastener acts to maintain the modular headliner in the desired position at that location. Consequently, variations between the A-pillar inner and the header are accommodated without skewing the entire headliner module. The invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims: A motor vehicle body support structure (100) for receiving a snap-fit fastener (44,46) for securing a modular headliner (10) wherein the motor vehicle has a front and back, a left side and a right side, which support structure (100) comprises: left side A-pillar sheet metal means (108) extending in a generally horizontal plane adjacent the front left side of the roof (103) and defining a left side A-pillar opening (112) extending in the left-right direction; right side A-pillar sheet metal means (106) extending in a generally horizontal plane adjacent the front right side of the roof (103) and defining a right side A-pillar opening (110) extending in the left-right direction; and a header (120) extending adjacent the roof (103) from the left side A-pillar sheet metal means (108) to the right side A-pillar sheet metal means (106), said header (120) defining a left side header opening (124) extending in the front-rear direction and a right side header opening (122) extending in the front-rear direction, said header openings (122,124) being positioned in alignment with the A-pillar openings (106,108) for receiving the snap-fit fastener (44,46) characterised in that: said header openings (122,124) have a dimension extending in the front-rear direction which is greater than a corresponding dimension in the front-rear direction of the A-pillar openings (110,112), and the A-pillar openings (110,112) have a dimension extending in the left-right direction which is greater than a corresponding dimension in the left-right direction of said header openings (122,124) whereby said header openings (122,124) restrict movement of the received fastener in the front-rear direction and the A-pillar openings (110,112) restrict movement of the received fastener in the left-right direction. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 and wherein the header (120) further defines a pair of inboard sunshade support openings (126), each inboard sunshade support opening (126) being appropriately positioned from the header opening (122,124). The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the header (120) is secured to both the left side A-pillar (22) and the right side A-pillar (24). The apparatus as set forth in any preceding claim wherein the motor vehicle includes a left side rail inner (104) and a right side rail inner, each side rail inner extending from the vehicle roof (103) to the vehicle side and each including side rail inner openings (105) sized to receive a fastener (82) extending from a modular headliner (10). The apparatus as set forth in any preceding claim wherein the modular headliner (10) further comprises a sunshade fastener (44,46) defining a socket, which may be mounted to extend through the A-pillar opening (106,108) and the header opening (122,124) and sized to engage the A-pillar opening (106,108) to prevent movement of the socket in one direction and to engage the header (120) opening to prevent movement of the socket in another direction. A motor vehicle body structure (100) including sheet metal defining a series of openings sized to allow snap-fit fasteners (44,46) from a modular headliner to extend therethrough and to engage the sheet metal adjacent to the openings for mounting the modular headliner to the vehicle body structure, comprising: means for receiving a right side sunshade fastener including first sheet metal means (106) defining a first slot (110) and second sheet metal means (120) defining a second slot (122), the first slot (110) extending a greater length in a first direction than the second slot (122) extends in the first direction and the second slot (122) extending a greater length in a second direction than the first slot (110) extends in the second direction, the second direction being generally perpendicular to the first direction; and means for receiving a left side sunshade fastener including third sheet metal means (108) defining a third slot (112) and fourth sheet metal means (120) defining a fourth slot (124); the third slot (112) extending a greater length in a third direction than the fourth slot (124) extends in the third direction and the fourth slot (124) extending a greater length in a fourth direction than the third slot (112) extends in the fourth direction, the third direction being generally perpendicular to the fourth direction. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6 wherein the second sheet metal means (120) and the third sheet metal means (120) are a unitary sheet metal member and wherein said member defines at least two inboard sunshade support openings (126) positioned to be engaged by inboard sunshade supports (64,68). The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6 or 7 and further comprising side rail members (104) extending along the side of the vehicle and defining assist strap openings (105) positioned to receive assist strap fasteners (82). The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6,7 or 8 wherein the first sheet metal means (106) and the fourth sheet metal means (108) are A-pillar inners. The apparatus as set forth in any of Claims 6 to 9 wherein the first and fourth directions are generally the same.

Inventors: DOWD JAMES D, HILBORN DAVID M, DOWD, JAMES D., HILBORN, DAVID M.
Applicants: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES AUTOMOTIVE, UNITED TECHNOLOGIES AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B60R13
IPC codes: B60R13, B60R11