Automotive vehicle component retaining assembly

Abstract: A retaining assembly is provided for an amplifier (10) or other component to be inserted in a compartment (18) formed in the instrument panel (16) of an automotive vehicle. The assembly includes at least one clip (20, 22) having a pair of vertically spaced latching tongues (48, 50) carried on resilient arms (44, 46) to permit snap fit engagement of the component (10) in the compartment (18) without substantial modification to the instrument panel. A locating pin (36) aids in support of the component (10), and the assembly provides the sole vertical support.

Description: The present invention relates generally to automotive component mounting and more specifically to fasteners therefor. In the manufacture of automotive vehicles, it is well known to components, particularly electronic components, in apertures formed in the instrument panel of the automotive vehicle. By agency of conventional fasteners, such as mounting screws, it is also known to provide a compartment or pocket within the instrument panel into which a component may be inserted for vertical support that and may be retained against lateral movement by mounting clips. US patents 4,550,944 and 4,660,789 are exemplary of such mounting approaches. US patent 4,550,944 shows a retaining assembly for mounting a component in a compartment formed in an automotive vehicle instrument panel upon insertion through an aperture having an upper edge and a lower edge, the retaining assembly comprising at least one clip fixedly secured and having a pair of latching tongues latchingly engageable with the aperture edges in snap-fit relationship upon insertion of the component through the aperture into the compartment. Disadvantageously, the prior art mounting schemes generally require the co-operative design of the component to be mounted and the instrument panel and associated compartment for receiving the component. For instances in which the component to be mounted does not conform to the generally box-like compartment provided in the instrument panel, it is desirable to provide a retaining assembly which will permit mounting of the component within the compartment without any significant modifications at the adjacent instrument panel structure. The laterally spaced mounting clips of the previously mentioned exemplary patents, in particular US patent 4,550,944, do pot overcome this disadvantage since they provide no accommodation for vertically fixing a component with respect to the instrument panel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a retaining assembly for mounting a component in a compartment formed in an automotive vehicle instrument panel that fixes the component vertically with respect to the instrument panel without substantial modification of the instrument panel itself. According to the invention we provide a retaining assembly for mounting a component in a compartment formed in an automotive vehicle instrument panel upon insertion through an aperture having an upper edge and a lower edge, the retaining assembly comprising: at least one clip fixedly secured to the component and having a pair of vertically spaced latching tongues, one latchingly engageable with the aperture upper edge and the other latchingly engageable with the aperture lower edge, in snap-fit relationship upon insertion of the component through the aperture into the compartment, characterised by a locating pin fixedly secured to the component adapted to be received by a portion of the vehicle instrument panel within the compartment. The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of an electronic component together with the invention retaining assembly; Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of the component with the retaining assembly fixed to it; Figure 3 is a lower perspective view of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of an automotive vehicle instrument panel illustrating installation of the component with its associated retaining assembly; Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an edge of the aperture into which the component is inserted; and Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an inner portion of the compartment of the instrument panel. Turning now to the drawings, in particular to Figures 1-3 thereof, an electronic component, such as an amplifier 10, is illustrated as having a generally box-like configuration and includes provision for fixed securement of a retaining assembly indicated generally at 12. When the retaining assembly 12 is secured to the amplifier 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the amplifier 10 may be presented for insertion into an aperture 14 formed in an instrument panel 16 of an automotive vehicle as shown in Figure 4 for communication with the generally box-like compartment, indicated generally at 18, which does not conform in size to the amplifier 10. Returning to Figures 1-3, the retaining assembly 12 is illustrated as including a pair of laterally spaced clips 20, 22 which are secured as by screws 24, 26 to laterally-spaced mounting ears 28, 30 formed at the front corners 32, 34 of the amplifier 10. The retaining assembly 12 further comprises a pin 36 carried on a bracket 38 fixedly secured as by a screw 40 to a rear mounting boss 42 of the amplifier 10. The clips 20, 22 are illustrated as being formed as mirror images and only the clip 20 will be hereafter described in detail. Those skilled in the mechanical arts will appreciate that the mirrored components of clip 22 are essentially structurally and functionally identical to those to be described with respect to the clip 20. The clip 20 includes an upper arm 44 and a lower arm 46 vertically spaced therefrom. An upper latching tongue 48 projects upwardly from the upper arm 44 and a lower latching tongue 50 projects downwardly from the lower arm 46. Each of the arms 44, 46 are configured to run longitudinally with respect to the automotive vehicle, generally normal to the aperture 14 of Figure 4. The upper arm 44 is resiliently supported in cantilever fashion by a vertically extending positioning wall 52 and the lower arm 46 is similarly supported by a second vertically extending positioning arm 54. The first vertical positioning arm 52 terminates in a longitudinally extending plate 56 as does the second vertically extending arm 54. A turn-back portion 58 forms a slot 60 for receiving the mounting ear 28. An aperture 62 is formed through the turned-over portion 58 for receiving the screw 24. The bracket 38 includes a clamp portion 64, having a tab 66, pierced by an aperture 68 for receiving the screw 40 to clampingly secure the bracket 38 and hence the locating pin 36 to the mounting boss 42 of the amplifier 10. The simple efficacy of mounting the amplifier 10 through agency of the retaining assembly 12 may best be appreciated by reference to Figures 4-6. The aperture 14 through the instrument panel 16 and to compartment 18 is bounded by an upper edge 70 and a lower edge 72. Another compartment 74 above it may be configured to receive another electronic component such as a radio 76. A back wall 78 of the instrument panel 16 may include a locating aperture 80. It is to be understood, however, that the locating aperture 80 may be provided as an appendage to the radio 76 in applications in which secure provision has been made for mounting and fixedly securing the radio 76 with respect to the instrument panel 16. Upon insertion of the amplifier 10 into the compartment 18, as may best be seen in Figure 5, the spacing between the vertical boundaries of the upper arm 44 and the lower arm 46 is approximately equal to the vertical spacing between the upper and lower edges 70, 72 of the aperture 14. Insertion of the amplifier 10 through the aperture 14 results therefore in inward flexing of the arms 44, 46 as the latching tongues 48, 50 engage upper and lower edges 70, 72, respectively. After full insertion, the tongues snap into place within the aperture 14 as behind the inner face 82 of the instrument panel 16 adjacent the lower edge 72, as shown in Figure 5. Further inward movement of the amplifier 10 may be prevented by proper positioning of upturned stop tabs 84 on the clips 20, 22. Compression of the upper stop tab 84 and out-turned lower removal tab 86 will permit release and outward removal of the amplifier 10 with respect to the instrument panel 16. Upon full insertion of the amplifier 10 with respect to the compartment 18, the vertical placement of the amplifier 10 with respect to the instrument panel 16 is set by the clips 20, 22, as shown. Insertion of the pin 36 through the aperture 80 stabilises the support and is operative to resist lateral movement.

Claims: A combination of (i) a retaining assembly for mounting a component (10) in a compartment (18) formed in an automotive vehicle instrument panel (16) upon insertion through an aperture (14) having an upper edge (70) and a lower edge (72), (ii) the component (10), and (iii) the instrument panel (16), the retaining assembly comprising at least one clip fixedly secured to the component (10); characterised in that (a) the at least one clip has a pair of vertically spaced latching tongues (48,50), one latchingly engaged with the aperture upper edge (70) and the other latchingly engaged with the aperture lower edge (72), in snap-fit relationship after insertion of the component (10) through the aperture (14) into the compartment (18), and that (b) the retaining assembly is further provided with a locating pin (36) fixedly secured to the component (10) which is received by a portion (80) of the vehicle instrument panel (16) within the compartment (18). The combination as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the at least one clip comprises a pair of clips (20, 22) laterally spaced with respect to the aperture (14). The combination as claimed in Claim 2 wherein each of the clips (20, 22) comprises an upper resilient arm (44) and a lower resilient arm (46) vertically spaced therefrom, said upper arm (44) being provided with an upper latching tongue (48) projecting upwardly therefrom and said lower arm (46) being provided with a lower latching tongue (50) projecting downwardly therefrom, each of said upper and lower arms being configured to run longitudinally with respect to the motor vehicle and generally normal to the aperture (14). The combination as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the upper arm (44) is resiliently supported in cantilever fashion by a vertically extending positioning arm (52) and the lower arm (46) is similarly supported by a second vertically extending positioning arm (54), said first vertical positioning arm (52) terminating in a longitudinally extending plate (56) and said second vertical positioning arm (54) terminating in the longitudinal plate (56) through a turn-back portion (58), said turn-back portion (58) providing a slot (60) for receiving a mounting ear (28) on the component (10). The combination as claimed in either Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the upper arm (44) is provided with an upper stop tab (84) and the lower arm (46) is provided with an out-turned lower removal tab (86).

Inventors: ALEVA JOHN LESLEY, DARROW MICHAEL BRADLEY, ALEVA, JOHN LESLEY, DARROW, MICHAEL BRADLEY
Applicants: FORD MOTOR CO, FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B60R11
IPC codes: B60R11, B60K37