Abstract:
A clip for securing trim to a body. A first portion of the clip has a first side configured to be mated against a surface of the body and a second, opposing side configured to mate with the trim. The second side has a device for securely coupling to the trim. A second portion of the clip is configured to be attached to the body. The second portion is disposed within a channel in the first portion. The first portion is slidable relative to the second portion along a first axis. The first portion may be moved relative to the second portion to permit adjustment of a position on the body of trim coupled to the first portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Prov. Appl. No. 60/419,081 filed Oct. 18, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is related to a clip, and more particularly to a clip and method of using the clip to attach a trim strip to a vehicle. 
   2. Related Art 
   Many vehicles (i.e., automobiles) use a trim strip (or trim) to cover and/or seal the gap between a windshield and the body opening into which the windshield is mounted. In some cases, the trim strip helps to physically hold the windshield in place. In other cases, the trip strip is added solely to cover the adhesive and/or gasket that secures the window into the body opening to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
   Conventional trim strips often span the gap between the windshield and the body opening and extend slightly over both the edge of the windshield and a portion of the body adjacent the windshield opening. While the adhesive and/or gasket provide the primary seal between the windshield and vehicle body, the seal also prevents dirt and debris from entering the gap. To function effectively, the trim strip must be securely attached and must be stable across its width. Ideally, the trim strip is attached relatively centrally over the width of the strip. This positioning becomes more important as the trim strip becomes wider. An ill fitting trim strip may be inadvertently dislodged or may allow dirt and debris to enter the gap. 
   Another problem occurs because of allowable tolerances. Trim strips are typically attached to the vehicle body using mounting holes or posts that are positioned on the body adjacent the windshield opening. Manufacturing tolerances in the shape of the windshield opening and/or the positioning of the mounting holes or posts can cause the trim strip to look uneven when attached or may cause the trim strip to not completely cover the gap. 
   Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for securing a trim strip to a vehicle that minimizes these and other problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention provide a clip for securing a trim strip to a vehicle body A first portion of the clip has a flange device configured to mate with a corresponding flange device on the trim strip. A second portion of the clip slidably couples to the first portion to allow relative movement between the first and second portions along a first axis. The second portion is configured for secure mounting to a T-stud of the vehicle body. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method including attaching a clip having a first portion, a second portion, and a tongue to a T-stud of a vehicle and sliding the first portion with respect to the second portion until the tongue is in contact with the vehicle, such that the clip is properly aligned with the vehicle. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention provides a clip including a first portion configured to be fixedly attached to a vehicle and a second portion slidably engaging the first portion and configured for mounting of a trim thereon, the slidable engagement between the first and second portions permitting positioning of the trim with respect to the vehicle. 
   Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a clip for securing trim to a body. A first portion of the clip has a first side configured to be mated against a surface of the body and a second, opposing side configured to mate with the trim. The second side has a device for securely coupling to the trim. A second portion of the clip is configured to be attached to the body. The second portion is disposed within a channel in the first portion. The first portion is slidable relative to the second portion along a first axis. The first portion may be moved relative to the second portion to permit adjustment of a position on the body of trim coupled to the first portion. 
   Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present inventions, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first portion of clip according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second portion of clip according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the first portion of the clip illustrating an opening  206  into which a second portion of the clip is to be received according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8  show first through fourth stages of coupling a clip to a vehicle body according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a view of several clips coupled to a vehicle body according to embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number generally identifies the drawing in which the reference number is first or primarily used. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a system  100  according to embodiments of the present invention. System  100  includes a trimming device  102  (e.g., a trim, a trim strip, or the like), a clip  104 , and a T-stud  106  (e.g., a fastener) secured to a body  108  (e.g., a vehicle body, a body portion, etc.). Trim  102  includes a coupling device  110  having first and second flanges  112  and  114 . Flanges  112  and  114  have teeth  116  and  118 . Teeth  116  and  118  mate with teeth  120  and  122  on flanges  124  and  126  of a first portion  128  (e.g., first body portion) of clip  104 . It is to be appreciated that, although flanges  124  and  126  of first portion  128  are shown as being a particular shape and size and as including teeth  120  and  122  on one surface thereof, other sizes and shapes can be used. A second portion  130  (e.g., a second body portion) of clip  104  slidingly engages with first portion  128  and is used to secure clip  104  to T-stud  106 . 
   It is to be appreciated that corresponding flanges  112 , 114  and  124 , 126  can be configured in any number of ways, as long as they mate with one another to join trim  102  and clip  104 . In addition, the use of two flanges on clip  104  and coupling device  110  is not critical. Instead, any number of flanges may be used in accordance with stability and cost considerations. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that these and other modifications may be made to this structure to achieve the same result. 
   Trim  102  covers and seals a gap  101  between an edge of vehicle windshield  132  and body  108 . Trim  102  includes first and second sealing devices  134  and  136 , extending from opposite ends of trim strip  102 . Sealing devices  134  and  136  can be used to bring trim  102  into a sealing relationship with both windshield  132  and body  108 . It is to be appreciated that a general configuration and purpose of trim  102  is well known in the art. It is also to be appreciated that other trim strips having various profiles, different seals, or the like, can be used, and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of first portion  128  of clip  104  according to embodiments of the present invention. First portion  128  includes an edge  200  with a pair of tongues  202  and  204  extending therefrom. As seen in  FIG. 1 , tongues  202  and  204  correspond generally in shape to an edge or ridge portion  103  of body  108 . When clip  104  is placed in a desired optimal position to align trim  102  with the windshield opening in body  108 , tongues  202  and  204  are positioned against ridge portion  103  of body  108 . It is to be appreciated that the precise configuration of tongues  202  and  204  is not critical, so long as they are of a size and shape to engage or come into contact with the appropriate portion of body  108 . In addition, although two tongues  202  and  204  are shown, a different number of tongues may be used in accordance with stability and cost considerations. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that these and other modifications may be made to this structure to achieve the same result. 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 2 , first portion  128  also includes an opening  206  into which second portion  130  is received. On either side of opening  206  are sections  208  and  210  with slots  212  and  214 . Although not shown in this figure, underneath sections  208  and  210  are teeth  400  and  402  (see  FIG. 4 ) which are configured to mate with teeth  302  and  304  (see  FIG. 3 ) on first and second sections  306  and  308  (see  FIG. 3 ) of second portion  130 . Teeth  302 ,  304  and teeth  400 ,  402  can be considered part of a ratchet device because they ratchet (or slide only in one direction) with respect to one another, as will be described in more detail below. 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 2 , first portion  128  can also optionally include a stabilizing device  216  (e.g., ears, or the like) extending therefrom. As seen in  FIG. 4 , stabilizing device  216  can have first and second portions extending symmetrically from opposite sides of first portion  128 . As seen in  FIGS. 5–9 , stabilizing device  216  can be used to help stabilize clip  104  when it is coupled to body  108 . This is accomplished, in part, by a natural resiliency of the material from which first portion  128  is formed. This natural resiliency exerts a biasing force between stabilizing device  216  and body  108 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of second portion  130  of clip  104  according to embodiments of the present invention. In addition to the elements described above, second portion  130  includes a third (or main) section  310 . Third section  310  includes a cavity  312 . Cavity  312  can be seen through an opening  314  in a surface  300 . A stop  316  extends from surface  300  into opening  314 . A shoulder  318  is located in cavity  312  (see  FIG. 1 ). Operation of stop  316  and shoulder  318  to secure clip  104  to body  108  is discussed below. 
     FIG. 4  is side view of first portion  128  of clip  104  illustrating opening  206  and latitudinally extending grooves  404 , which are configured to receive second portion  130  therein. As explained above, when second portion  130  is inserted into opening  206  of first portion  128  and along grooves  404 , the ratchet functionality of teeth  400 ,  402  and  302 ,  304  allow normal movement of portion  130  in only one direction along grooves  404  (e.g., into the page in this figure) with respect to first portion  128 . The teeth are held into engagement by a natural resiliency of the material from which first portion  128  is formed. This resiliency allows portions  208  and  210  to act like spring members. In order to move second portion  130  along grooves  404  in an opposite direction (e.g., out of the page in this figure) with respect to first portion  128 , section  208  and  210  ( FIG. 2 ) need to be lifted slightly. Lifting portions  208  and  210  allows teeth  302 ,  304  to disengage from teeth  400 ,  402 . 
     FIGS. 5–8  illustrate mounting of clip  104  to a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 5 , in a first stage, one T-stud  106  secured to a section  500  (e.g., an A-pillar) of body  108  is selected to receive clip  104 . 
     FIG. 6  shows a second stage of coupling clip  104  to body  108 . In the second stage, clip  104  is positioned on T-stud  106  and pressed downward against T-stud  106  until a head of T-stud  106  deflects stop  316  of second portion  130  and enters cavity  312 . In this initial position, tongues  202  and  204  are generally spaced a distance D from edge  103  of vehicle body  108 . This spacing results from imprecise alignment of T-studs  106  with respect to edge  103 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a third stage of coupling clip  104  to body  108 . In the third stage, clip  104  is moved in the direction of arrow  700 . During this movement, T-stud  106  becomes securely engaged with shoulder  318 . Once the head of T-stud  106  is fully engaged with shoulder  318 , stop  316  snaps down from its deflected position to secure T-stud  106  in position against shoulder  318  and to prevent the head of T-stud  106  from retreating from this fully engaged position. This engagement between T-stud  106  and shoulder  318  secures clip  104  onto body  108 . 
     FIG. 8  shows a fourth or adjustment stage of coupling clip  104  to body  108  according to the present invention. In the fourth stage, first portion  128  is slid in the direction of arrow  800 . This sliding movement caused a relative movement between first portion  128  (which is being moved) and second portion  130  (which is secured to T-stud  106 ). The ratcheting operation of teeth  302  and  304  against teeth  400  and  402  allows unencumbered movement in only a direction, which is indicated by arrow  800 . The movement of first portion  128  ends when tongues  202  and  204  interact with edge  103  of body  108 . In this position, clip  104  is positioned against edge  103  and precisely aligned therewith irrespective of the imprecise position of T-stud  106  on body  108 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a portion  900  of vehicle body  108  having a plurality of clips  104  coupled to a plurality of T-studs  106  around an edge of windshield  132 . Multiple T-studs  106  and clips  104  are used in this manner to maintain trim  102  in proper position around windshield  132 . An exact number of clips and T-studs required to mount trim  102  is determined based on predetermined specifications, as is known in the art. 
   After all clips  104  are installed, trim  102  is attached to clips  104 . Trim  102  is pressed onto each clip  104  manually or via a rubber mallet. Trim  102  is held in place by each clip  104  via complementary, mating teeth  116 ,  118  and  120 ,  122 . Based on clip  104  being secured to body  108 , as discussed earlier, trim  102  is aligned with edge  103  in an aesthetically pleasing manner and is securely held in place. It is to be appreciated that dimensions and shapes of parts of body  108 , clip  104 , and trim  102  can vary and can take whatever dimensions are desirable due to other design choices. 
   Taking into consideration required tolerances, the embodiment of the present invention discussed above has many advantages over conventional systems. For example, T-studs  106  are attached to body  108  at a desired position. However, the desired position may vary a few millimeters along the edge of the vehicle, due to manufacturing requirements. Notwithstanding this imprecise position of the T-studs, the clip of the invention allows a trim strip to be consistently placed a certain distance from an edge  103  of body  108 . The one-way (e.g., unidirectional) sliding mechanism allows first portion  128  to move with respect to T-stud  106 . This allows for adjustment to compensate for tolerances, while still ensuring that first portion  128  is positioned evenly around windshield  132 . This also ensures trim  102  is positioned evenly around windshield  132 , which results in an even, aesthetic appearance. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , once clip  104  is coupled to T-stud  106  and trim  102  has been coupled to clip  104 , teeth  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and  122  allow trim  102  to move up and down (e.g., vertically along) A-pillar  500 . Thus, trim  102  can be vertically moved to position trim  102  in any desired vertical position. After being vertically positioned, trim  102  can be secured to A-pillar  500 . Also, using teeth  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and  122  can allow for thermal expansion of trim  102  along A-pillar  500 . 
   CONCLUSION 
   While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.