Abstract:
To connect an add-on part ( 3 ) to a carrier part ( 43 ), a bracket part ( 1 ) and a securing part ( 2 ) are provided. The securing part ( 2 ) is displaceable relative to the bracket part ( 1 ). The bracket part ( 1 ) comprises a carrier part receptacle ( 20, 21 ) that receives an edge region of the carrier part ( 43 ) that is adjacent a carrier-part opening ( 44 ). In the final mounting arrangement, the securing part ( 2 ) is pushed in, a securing pin ( 33 ) being inserted in the now-free carrier-part opening ( 44 ), and secures the bracket part ( 1 ). This makes for a mounting operation that can be performed merely by displacing the bracket part ( 1 ) and the securing part ( 2 ) and is easy to check for proper execution.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a U.S. National Phase Patent Application based on International Application Serial No. PCT/EP2008/008354 filed Oct. 2, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby explicitly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a device for fastening an add-on part to a carrier part. 
         [0004]    The invention is further directed to a fastening arrangement comprising a device for fastening an add-on part to a carrier part. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Fastening devices are known, for example, in the form of cage nuts that cooperate with threaded fasteners and are anchored in the carrier part, or in the form of so-called clips that are pushed through the add-on part and are snapped together with the carrier part. However, these arrangements have the disadvantages—depending on the particular embodiment—of requiring relatively great manual effort during the connecting operation and/or affording a relatively low pull-out force in comparison to normal requirements. In addition, it is not always easy to check the proper execution of the mounting operation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a device for fastening an add-on part to a carrier part and a fastening arrangement having such a device, which are distinguished by a relatively high pull-out force and yet can be mounted in a relatively simple operation that is easy to check for proper execution. 
         [0008]    This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a device for fastening an add-on part to a carrier part, and by means of a fastening arrangement having such a device. 
         [0009]    In the device according to the invention, the ability of the bracket part to be slid onto the edge region of the carrier-part opening provided in the carrier part results in a very intimate form lock between the bracket part and the carrier part, thus making for a very high pull-out force. Because the securing pin that is configured on the securing part, which latter is displaceable relative to the bracket part, is disposed in the carrier-part opening when the carrier part is inserted in the carrier part receptacle, accidental displacement of the bracket part out of the form lock is blocked; and, moreover, the ability to clearly see that the securing part is securing the bracket part when the securing part is in the pushed-in arrangement makes it very easy to check the proper execution of the mounting operation. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, in the case of the fastening arrangement according to the invention, particularly mounting-friendly prefabrication is realized by connecting the inventive device to the add-on part. 
         [0011]    In one form thereof, the present invention provides a device for fastening an add-on part to a carrier part, including a bracket part, which is insertable in a carrier-part opening formed in the carrier part and has a carrier part receptacle for receiving an edge region of the carrier part adjacent the carrier-part opening and is adapted to fasten the carrier part to the add-on part; and further including a securing part, which is connected to the bracket part and is displaceable in relation to the bracket part and includes a securing pin which, in the arrangement wherein the carrier part is inserted in the carrier part receptacle, is disposed in the carrier-part opening, thereby affixing the bracket part to the carrier part. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fastening arrangement according to the invention, comprising an add-on part and a device according to the invention for fastening an add-on part to a carrier part, which device is provided with a bracket part connected to the add-on part and with a securing part, in a raised pre-mounting position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention as depicted in  FIG. 1 , in the pre-mounting position, looking toward a locking arm of the securing part that is in engagement with a locking tongue configured on the bracket part; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , looking toward the spring arm of the securing part and toward a spring leg configured on the bracket part; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a carrier part configured with a carrier-part opening into which the bracket part of the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 3  is inserted; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away perspective view of the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , with the bracket part in an arrangement in which it is pushed onto the carrier part; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows the arrangement depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5  with the securing part in a pushed-in, final mounting position. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fastening arrangement according to the invention, comprising a device according to the invention that is provided with a bracket part  1 , which is configured as a stamped and bent part made from a strip of sheet metal, and a securing part  2  made from a hard-elastic plastic material. The fastening arrangement depicted in  FIG. 1  also comprises, as an add-on part, an airbag receptacle  3 , which, by a planar top portion  4  and a planar bottom portion  5  arranged in spaced relation to and parallel to said top portion, is disposed between bracket part  1  and securing part  2 . Between top portion  4  and bottom portion  5 , the airbag receptacle  3  has a receiving portion  6  formed in the manner of a hollow cylinder, which is provided on its side  2  facing toward top portion  4  with marginally disposed connecting strips  7 ,  8  that are joined to top portion  4 . It can also be discerned from  FIG. 1  that the airbag receptacle  3  encases an airbag  9 , which is made of a flexible, highly tear-resistant fabric and is disposed by end portions between top portion  4  and bottom portion  5 . 
         [0021]    Configured as a latching assembly on airbag receptacle  3  are tab catch noses  10 ,  11 , which are disposed one on each side in a first bracket receiving opening  12  formed in top portion  4 , and which, in the pre-mounting position of the inventive fastening arrangement as depicted in  FIG. 1 , engage behind laterally outwardly protruding side tabs  13 ,  14  configured on bracket part  1 , while bracket part  1  also extends through a second bracket receiving opening  15 , formed in bottom portion  5 , and thereby also passes into the through-openings provided in the portions of airbag  9  that are situated between top portion  4  and bottom portion  5 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of a device comprising a bracket part  1  and a securing part  2 . It is apparent from  FIG. 2  that bracket part  1  has a first side wall  16  and a second side wall  17 , which are oriented parallel to each other and are connected to each other by a back wall  18 , to which they are each oriented at right angles. The side tabs  13 ,  14  are each formed on a respective side wall  16 ,  17 , in a head region  19  of the bracket part  1 . A respective receiving slot  20 ,  21  of a carrier part receptacle is provided in each side wall  16 ,  17  in spaced relation to the side tabs  13 ,  14  and extends, spaced apart from back wall  18 , away therefrom, widening in a funnel-like manner at its open, debouching end, i.e., the end remote from back wall  18 . 
         [0023]    On the opposite side of each receiving slot  20 ,  21  from the respective side tab  13 ,  14 , each side wall  16 ,  17  has an end portion  22 ,  23 , which extends toward the respective opposite side wall  16 ,  17  and on each of which is formed a respective spring leg  24 ,  25 , which is disposed between the side walls  16 ,  17  and extends toward the back wall  18  and is oriented with an inclination that rises, at an angle to the side tabs  13 ,  14 , from the respective end portion  22 ,  23  toward the back wall  18 . The free ends of the spring legs  24 ,  25  thus are disposed, in the longitudinal direction of bracket part  1 , between the receiving slots  20 ,  21  and the side tabs  13 ,  14 . As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , each spring leg  24 ,  25  is angled toward the foot region  28  at its free end remote from the respective end portion  22 ,  23 . 
         [0024]    Each side wall  16 ,  17  comprises a locking tongue  26 ,  27 , formed by punching, which is disposed between the head region  19 , on the side of the particular receiving slot  20 ,  21  that faces away from the respective side tab  13 ,  14 , and a foot region  28  of bracket part  1  that is disposed oppositely from the head region  19 . Each locking tongue  26 ,  27  extends from the particular side wall  16 ,  17  on which it is formed toward the opposite side wall  16 ,  17 , and is oriented at right angles to the side walls  16 ,  17 . 
         [0025]    If can further be appreciated from the representation of  FIG. 1  that each side wall  16 ,  17  has, in foot region  28 , an inwardly canted introducing tongue  29 ,  30  that tapers away from the head region  19 . 
         [0026]    Finally, bracket part  1  comprises an abutment tab  31 , which is formed onto back wall  18  in head region  19  and extends outward away from back wall  18  at right angles thereto. 
         [0027]    Securing part  2  is configured with a flat top plate  32 , on the side of which that faces away from bracket part  1  is formed a hollow-cylinder-like securing pin  33 . In the pre-mounting arrangement depicted in  FIG. 2 , securing pin  33  bears against abutment tab  31 , the free end of which is shaped to conform to the outer contour of securing pin  33 . 
         [0028]    Also formed on top plate  32  are a first locking arm  34  and a second locking arm  35 , which also extend toward bracket part  1  and are disposed between the side walls  16 ,  17 , each near a respective side wall  16 ,  17 . Each of the locking arms  34 ,  35 , which are configured to be resiliently elastic, has at its free end remote from top plate  32  a respective locking-tongue groove  36 ,  37 , in which, in the raised pre-mounting position of securing part  2  depicted in  FIG. 2 , the locking tongue  26 ,  27  nearest the respective locking arm  34 ,  35  is disposed, thus blocking the securing part  2  against displacement toward bracket part  1 . It can also be discerned from  FIG. 2  that provided in top plate  32 , in the connection region of each locking arm  34 ,  35 , on the side facing toward the respective locking-tongue groove  36 ,  37 , is a release opening  38 ,  39  through which a tool can be inserted to act on the locking arms  34 ,  35 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective cut-away view of the exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the pre-mounting position shown in  FIG. 2 . From the illustration of  FIG. 3  it can be seen that the abutment tab  31  lies in the plane of the side tabs  13 ,  14 . It may also be observed in  FIG. 3  that each locking arm  34 ,  35  is configured with a releasing ramp  40  that extends away from top plate  32 , from an edge face of the particular release opening  38 ,  39  in prolongation of said release opening  38 ,  39  and into the area capped in the longitudinal direction by said release opening  38 ,  39 , such that a tool inserted into the release openings  38 ,  39  at right angles to top plate  32  necessarily comes into contact with the releasing ramps  40 . At the end of each releasing ramp  40  remote from top plate  32 , each locking arm  34 ,  35  has a rear engagement step  41  that is disposed ahead of the respective locking-tongue groove  36 ,  37 , “rear engagement” being understood in the longitudinal direction of said locking arm  34 ,  35 . 
         [0030]    It can also be seen from  FIG. 3  that securing part  1  includes a central pin  42 , which is disposed between the locking arms  34 ,  35  and extends at right angles away from top plate  32 , and which, for guiding purposes, bears against the back wall  18  of bracket part  1 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the exemplary inventive fastening arrangement depicted in  FIG. 1  and of the exemplary inventive device depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in an arrangement in which said device is inserted in a carrier-part opening  44  provided in a carrier part  43 , here in the form of a flat body sheet of a motor vehicle. The carrier-part opening  44  is shaped to conform, with relatively little oversizing, to the outer contour of bracket part  1 . It can be discerned from  FIG. 4  that the distance in the longitudinal direction between the receiving slots  20 ,  21  and the bottom portion  5  of the airbag receptacle  3  is calculated to correspond to the thickness of the carrier part  43 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 4 , securing part  2  is in a pre-mounting position, in which it is raised with respect to bracket part  1 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective cut-away view of the exemplary inventive fastening arrangement depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 4  and the exemplary inventive device depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 4  in an arrangement that is shifted, compared to the arrangement of  FIG. 4 , in relation to the carrier part  43 , with the result that the edge region of carrier part  43  adjacent carrier-part opening  44  is disposed in the receiving slots  20 ,  21 , whereupon, by suitable dimensioning of the receiving slots  20 ,  21  in the depth direction and due to the arrangement of the locking arms  34 ,  35 , when the edge region of carrier part  43  comes into abutment with the closed end regions of receiving slots  20 ,  21  adjacent the back wall  18  it bears against the locking arms  34 ,  35 , moving them far enough toward the back wall  18  of bracket part  1  to cancel the engagement between the locking tongues  26 ,  27  and the locking-tongue grooves  36 ,  37 . It can further be appreciated from  FIG. 5  that in this arrangement of bracket part  1 , in which it is pushed onto carrier part  43 , the securing pin  33  of securing part  2  is disposed in prolongation of carrier-part opening  44 , which is now free again. 
         [0033]    It is also apparent from  FIG. 5  that each leg  24 ,  25  bears against the side of carrier part  43  that faces toward foot region  28  of bracket part  1 , and, by the pressure force exerted, secures the exemplary inventive fastening arrangement and the exemplary inventive device against accidentally being shifted back into the arrangement of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective, partially cut-away view of the arrangement of the carrier part  43  and of the exemplary inventive fastening arrangement and the exemplary inventive device according to  FIGS. 4 and 5  with the securing part  2  in a final mounting position, in which it pushed in compared to the pre-mounting position depicted in  FIGS. 1 to 5 . The final mounting position can be assumed, starting from the arrangement of  FIG. 5 , by applying a pressure force in the longitudinal direction of bracket part  1  to the top plate  32  of securing part  2 , the locking arms  34 ,  35  now being free, thereby shifting securing part  2  toward bracket part  1  until top plate  32  lies on the top portion  4  of airbag receptacle  3 . In the final mounting position, the locking tongues  26 ,  27  are engaged behind rear-engagement step  41  of locking arms  34 ,  35  and fix the securing part  2  in the pushed-in, final mounting position. 
         [0035]    Securing pin  33  has also passed through carrier-part opening  44  and bears against the opposite edge region of carrier-part opening  44  from the edge region that is inserted in the receiving slots  20 ,  21 , thereby securing the inventive device and the inventive fastening arrangement on the carrier part  43 , since displacement of the fastening arrangement or the device out of the arrangement according to  FIG. 6  into the arrangement according to  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5  is henceforth blocked by the securing pin  33 , in the pushed-in final mounting position of securing part  2 . 
         [0036]    To release the engagement between the locking tongues  26 ,  27  of bracket part  1  and the rear-engagement step  41  formed on the locking arms  34 ,  35  of securing part  2 , a tool, for example in the form of a two-pronged fork or two pin-like objects, can be passed through the release openings  38 ,  39  provided in the top plate  32  of securing part  2 , which tool, after sliding up the releasing ramps  40  of locking arms  34 ,  35 , moves the locking arms  34 ,  35  toward the back wall  18  of bracket part  1  and, once the rear engagement is released, allows securing part  2  to move back into the raised pre-mounting position. In the pre-mounting position, securing pin  33  has come back out of carrier-part opening  44 , and the exemplary inventive fastening arrangement and the exemplary inventive device can again be shifted back into the arrangement according to  FIG. 4 , substantially resistance-free sliding being ensured by the bend formed in the free end of each of the spring legs  24 ,  25 , and can be removed from the carrier part  43 . 
         [0037]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.