Abstract:
A channel fastener is described. The channel fastener may secure molding to a vehicle roof ditch and includes a retainer clip and a fastener. The retainer clip includes a body having an opening for receiving a pin, an attachment feature located on an end of the body, a clamp feature located on either side of the opening, and wings extending from the body. The attachment feature secures the molding to the channel fastener. The wings center and align the channel fastener within the roof ditch. The fastener includes an aperture for receiving the pin, wherein the fastener may be slidably secured within the body. The fastener may slide laterally and longitudinally from a center of the retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/205,247, entitled “Channel Fastener,” filed on Jan. 16, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to fasteners and, more particularly, to channel fasteners. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Motor vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, have metal joints and seams that must be sealed to prevent potential seepage of water and other external substances.  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a typical sealing method including an overlap joint  100 , which may be formed by welding together two panels, such as a roof panel  110  and a side panel  120 . The joining of the roof panel  110  and the side panel  120  may create a U-shaped trough or channel  130  having walls  140 ,  150  located on either side of the channel  130 . The channel may commonly be referred to as a roof “ditch”  130  and may be capable of collecting and draining water away from the sides of the vehicle. 
         [0004]    Generally, it is necessary to seal the joint  100  to prevent water seepage. It may often, however, be difficult to obtain a good seal, as the joint  100  may be overlapping rather than planar. Therefore, the motor vehicle industry has utilized various types of sealants and systems, such as molding, to fill voids and to block the passage of dirt, moisture, and other undesirable substances. Typically, such sealants may be secured in the ditch  130  with fasteners. 
         [0005]    During installation of the molding, and periodically after the molding installation has been completed, the fasteners may experience a variety of complications that often result in defective seals. For example, during installation, fasteners may become misaligned within the ditch  130 . In addition, the pins typically used to secure the fasteners in the ditch  130  may not be uniformly aligned in the ditch  130 . 
         [0006]    Moreover, loads exerted on the fasteners due to temperature fluctuations may cause the panels  110 ,  120  and molding to expand and contract. Such constant thermal expansion and contraction may cause misalignment of the fasteners and, in some cases, may even bend or break the fasteners. Further, the width of the roof ditch  130  may typically vary along its length, further compromising the effective use of a common fastener. Common fasteners may also not be capable of cross-car positioning to accommodate a variety of pin locations in the ditch  130 . 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A channel fastener is described. The channel fastener may secure molding to a vehicle roof ditch. The channel fastener may include a retainer clip and a fastener. The retainer clip may include a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin, an attachment feature located on an end of the body, a clamp feature located on either side of the opening, and a wing extending from the body. The attachment feature may include a post extending outward from the body, a canopy located on an end of the post, and a tension wing located at an opposite end of the post. The attachment feature may secure the molding to the channel fastener. The wings may be capable of centering and aligning the channel fastener within the roof ditch. The fastener may have an aperture for receiving the pin, wherein the fastener may be capable of being slidably secured within the body. The fastener may slide laterally and longitudinally from a center of the retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Objects and advantages, together with the operation of the invention, may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a roof ditch. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view a channel fastener. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the channel fastener of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates is a front view of the channel fastener of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the channel fastener of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the channel fastener of  FIG. 3  taken along section line  6 - 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a close up detailed view of an attachment feature of the channel fastener of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the channel fastener engaged with molding. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a fastener of the channel fastener of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the fastener of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of the fastener of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a molding retainer clip of the channel fastener of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates a top view of the molding retainer clip of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of a channel fastener engaged with a roof ditch. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cross sectional view of the channel fastener engaged with the roof ditch of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2-6  illustrate a channel fastener  10 . The channel fastener  10  may include a molding retainer clip  12  and an insert or fastener  14 . The channel fastener  10  may be attached to or otherwise secured to a U-shaped channel or roof ditch  130  ( FIGS. 1 ,  14  and  15 ). Typically, the channel fastener  10  may be secured to a pin  60  such that molding  160  may then be secured to the channel fastener  10  to seal the joint  100 . 
         [0026]    The insert or fastener  14  may be of any appropriate type, such as a pushnut fastener  14  ( FIGS. 9-11 ). The fastener  14  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, square or circular shape. The fastener  14  may be constructed or fabricated out of any appropriate type of material, such as any suitably rigid material including, but not limited to, metal, high-strength polymer material, composite material, or the like. For example, the fastener  14  may be fabricated out of SAE 1050-1065 steel. Any fabrication method may be used to form the fastener  14 , such as stamping, cutting, drawing, casting, extrusion, molding, vacuum forming, or the like. 
         [0027]    The fastener  14  may generally include a body  16  having an aperture  18  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The body  16  may generally be of a planar configuration. The body  16  may also include at least one flap  20 . For example, the body  16  may have two flaps  20  ( FIGS. 9-11 ). The aperture  18  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, square, circular, I-shaped or the like. The aperture  18  may be located at any appropriate position on the fastener  14 , such as at a generally central location, whereby the flaps  20  may be located on either side of the body  16  ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0028]    The flaps  20  may be located at any appropriate position on the body  16 , such as along the outer perimeter of the aperture  18 , whereby the flaps  20  may be capable of securing the channel fastener  10  to the pin  60  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ). For example, a first flap  20  may be located opposite that of a second flap  20 . The flaps  20  may extend generally upward and away from the body  16  ( FIG. 11 ). The flaps  20  may be angled to allow for easier insertion of the pin  60 , while at the same time prevent removal of the channel fastener  10  from the pin  60 . 
         [0029]    The molding retainer clip  12  may be constructed or fabricated out of any appropriate type of material, such as nylon ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ). The retainer clip  12  may be fabricated out of any material that may sufficient structural integrity to allow the molding retainer clip  12  to be secured in the ditch  130  and to withstand the expansion and contraction of the panels  110 ,  120  and molding. For example, the molding retainer clip  12  may be fabricated out of a polymer material, a composite material, or the like. Any appropriate fabrication method may be used to form the molding retainer clip  12 , such as extrusion, molding, vacuum forming, stamping, cutting, drawing, casting, or the like. 
         [0030]    The molding retainer clip  12  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square or rectangular shape. For example, the retainer clip  12  may include a bottom  22  and at least one sidewall, such as four general sidewalls  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  ( FIGS. 12-14 ). The channel fastener  10  is capable of being positioned in a ditch  130 , whereby the bottom  22  may be substantially coplanar with the panels  110 ,  120  near the joint  100  ( FIG. 15 ). 
         [0031]    The sidewalls  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square or rectangular shape. The sidewalls  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 , such that the sidewalls  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may generally form a square or rectangular shape. This generally square or rectangular shape formed by the sidewalls  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may be of a similar shape to that of the fastener  14 , whereby the fastener  14  may generally fit within the sidewalls  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
         [0032]    The bottom  22  may include an opening  38  ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ). The opening  38  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as being of a generally square, rectangular or slotted shape. For example, the opening  38  may be shaped and sized to receive or otherwise accommodate the pin  60 , whereby the pin  60  may be secured to one or both panels  110 ,  120  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ). 
         [0033]    The bottom  22  may support the fastener  14  in a substantially coplanar arrangement, such as between the sidewalls  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  ( FIGS. 6 and 15 ). The aperture  18  in the fastener  14  may be substantially aligned with the opening  38  in the retainer clip  12 . In addition, the opening  38  and the aperture  18  may be shaped to allow for longitudinal adjustment of the channel fastener  10  in the ditch  130  about the pin  60  ( FIG. 14 ). 
         [0034]    The molding retainer clip  12  may be configured to allow for selective lateral positioning of the fastener  14  relative to the ditch  130 . This selective lateral position of the fastener  14  may accommodate a variety of cross-car pin  60  locations, such as where the pins  60  may not be aligned in the center of the ditch  130 . Space may be provided between the walls  24 ,  28  and the fastener  14 , such that the fastener  14  may be selectively positioned toward either wall  24 ,  28  to accommodate the pin  60  location, such as by sliding. Space may also be provided between the walls  26 ,  30 , to accommodate the pin  60  location, such as by sliding. 
         [0035]    The retainer  12  may also include at least one leg  32 , at least one wing  34  and at least one attachment feature  36  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  12  and  13 ). For example, the retainer clip  12  may include a pair of legs  32 . The legs  32  may be constructed or fabricated out of any appropriate material, such as from any suitably rigid material including, but not limited to, metal, high-strength polymer material, composite material, or the like. 
         [0036]    The legs  32  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, triangular, square shape or the like. The legs  32  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 , such as located on either side of the opening  38  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  12  and  13 ). For example, the legs  32  may be located at either end of the retainer clip  12 . The legs  32  may extend outwards from a central location of the retainer clip  12 . 
         [0037]    The retainer clip  12  may include a clamp feature having retention member or tab  42  and a projection  44  ( FIG. 6 ). The tab  42  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally hooked shape ( FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  14 ). The tab  42  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 , such as towards a first end of the retainer clip  12  and on one side of the opening  38 . For example, the tab  42  may be located between the opening  38  and a leg  32 . 
         [0038]    The projection  44  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally triangular, rectangular, hooked shape or the like ( FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  13 ). The projection  44  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 , such as towards a second end of the retainer clip  12  and on the opposite side of the opening  38  as the tab  42  ( FIG. 6 ). For example, the projection  44  may be located between the opening  38  and a second leg  32 , whereby the opening  38  may be located between the tab  42  and the projection  44 . 
         [0039]    The fastener  14  may be capable of sliding laterally or cross-car +/− about 2 mm from the center of the molding retainer clip  12  toward either wall  24 ,  28 . The fastener  14  may be slideably secured to the bottom  22  via the retention member or tab  42  and the projection  44 . The clamp feature may be made from the same materials as the molding retainer clip  12 . Although the clamp feature is described as including a projection  44  and a tab  42 , it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that alternative features may be employed to facilitate slidingly securing the fastener  14  to the molding retainer clip  12 . 
         [0040]    The retainer clip  12  may also include at least one structural member  46 , such as four structural members  46  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  12  and  13 ). The structural members  46  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular or square shape. The structural members  46  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 . For example, there may be at least one structural member located on either side of the opening  38 , whereby the structural members  46  may be located between the opening  38  and the legs  32 . 
         [0041]    The structural members  46  may add to the structural integrity of the retainer clip  12  or add additional strength or rigidity to the retainer clip  12 . The retainer clip  12  may also include structural ribs  40  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  12  and  13 ). The structural ribs  40  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally triangular shape or the like. The retainer clip  12  may have any appropriate number of structural ribs  40 . The structural ribs  40  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 , such as being located and expanding between the legs  32  and the structural members  46 . 
         [0042]    The retainer clip  12  may include a one or more wings  34 , such as a pair of wings  34  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5 ,  12  and  13 ). The wings  34  may be provided to align the channel fastener  10  within the roof ditch  130  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ). The wings  34  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, square or triangular shape. The wings  34  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 , such as being located on either side of the opening  38 , whereby the legs  32  may be located on the other two sides. For example, the wings  34  may extend laterally from the molding retainer clip  12 , whereby the wings  34  may substantially abut and engage with the walls  140 ,  150  to prevent misalignment of the channel fastener  10 . 
         [0043]    The wings  34  may be constructed or fabricated from the same material as the molding retainer clip  12 , and the wings  34  may be integrally formed with the molding retainer clip  12 . The wings  34  may be flexible so as to withstand the expansion and contraction of the panels  110 ,  120 . While the wings  34  may be shown and described as having a certain configuration and being located at a particular position, it is to be understood that the location and configuration of the wings  34  should not be limited to that shown and disclosed herein and may include alternative features. 
         [0044]    The retainer clip  12  may include one or more attachment features  36 , such as a pair of attachment features  36  ( FIGS. 2-5 ,  7 ,  12  and  13 ). The attachment features  36  may be capable of securing the molding  160  to the channel fastener  10  ( FIG. 8 ). The attachment features  36  may be made out of any appropriate material and by any appropriate process. The attachment features  36  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square, triangular, rectangular, or T-shaped. For example, the attachment features  36  may be generally anchor, tree or canopy shaped. 
         [0045]    The attachment features  36  may include a trunk or post  48 , a tree top or canopy  50 , and at least one tension wing  52  ( FIG. 7 ). The post  48  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, circular or square shape. The post  48  may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature  36 , such as at an approximate center of the attachment feature  36 . For example, the post  48  may generally extend upwards and approximately perpendicularly to the leg  32  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0046]    The canopy  50  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally triangular or curved shape ( FIG. 7 ). For example, the canopy  50  may curve downwards toward the leg  32 . The canopy  50  may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature  36 , such as at an end of the post  48 . For example, the post  48  may be located and extend between the leg  32  and the canopy  50  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0047]    There may be one or more tension wings  52 , such as two tension wings ( FIG. 7 ). The tension wings  52  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular or square shape. For example, the tension wings  52  may be of a generally planar configuration. The tension wings  52  may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature  36 , such as at an end of the post  48  located adjacent to the leg  32 . For example, tension wings  52  may extend outward and at upwards at an angle from the bottom of the post  48 . The tension wings  52  may extend out at any appropriate angle from the leg  32 . The molding  160  may be located and secured between the canopy  50  and the tension wings  52  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0048]    The attachment features  36  may also include an alignment rib  54  ( FIGS. 2-4 ,  12  and  13 ). The alignment rib  54  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular or triangular shape. The alignment rib  54  may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature  36 , such as at an end of the attachment feature  36 . For example, the alignment rib  54  may be located adjacent to and extend from the post  48 . 
         [0049]    The attachment features  36  may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip  12 , such as located adjacent either end of the legs  32  on the retainer clip  12 . For example, the attachment features  36  may be positioned away from the opening  38  on either end of the retainer clip  12  ( FIGS. 2 and 12 ). While the molding retainer clip  12  may be shown and described as utilizing two anchor-shaped attachment features  36 , it is to be understood that any appropriate shape or number of attachment features  36  may be used to secure a variety of moldings to the channel fastener  10 . While the attachment feature  36  may be shown and described as having a certain configuration and being located at a particular position, it is to be understood that the location and configuration of the attachment feature  36  should not be limited to that shown and disclosed herein. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8 ,  14  and  15  illustrate an example of a channel fastener  10  in use. The channel fastener  10  may be provided with a molding retainer clip  12  and a fastener  14 . To secure the fastener  14  to the molding retainer clip  12 , the fastener  14  may be snapped into the clamp feature by inserting one end of the fastener  14  beneath the projection  44  and forcing the opposite end of the fastener  14  down to snap into the tab  42 . Once snapped into the clamp feature, the fastener  14  may be secured to the molding retainer clip  12 , without compromising the ability to selectively position the fastener  14 . For example, the fastener  14  may still be slidable cross-car toward either wall  24 ,  28 . The fastener  14  may also be slidable fore-aft toward either wall  26 ,  30 . Therefore, even if the pin  60  is not centered within the ditch  130 , the fastener  14  may still be adjusted whereby that the aperture  18  may accommodate the pin  60 . 
         [0051]    The channel fastener  10  may be secured in the ditch  130  by positioning the channel fastener  10  over the pin  60 , such that the pin  60  may extend through the opening  38  and the aperture  18  in the fastener  14  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ). The legs  32  may secure the channel fastener  10  to the pin  60 , whereby the channel fastener  10  may be selectively positioned longitudinally along the length of the ditch  130 . The wings  34 , substantially abutting the walls  140  and  150 , may maintain alignment of the channel fastener  10  within the ditch  130  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ). 
         [0052]    The wings  34  are capable of bending, whereby the wings  34  may allow for the channel fastener  10  to be used in a ditch  130  having varying widths. When the channel fastener  10  is inserted into a narrower section of a ditch  130  or when the channel fastener  10  may be subjected to expansion and contraction forces from the panels  110 ,  120  and/or molding  160 , the wings  34  may bend to prevent damage or misalignment of the fastener  10 . Next, the molding  160  may be secured to the channel fastener  10  via the attachment feature  36 , thereby effectively sealing the joint  100  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0053]    Accordingly, the channel fastener  10  may allow for longitudinal movement, as well as lateral positioning, during installation. Lateral movement of the fastener  14  relative to the ditch  130  may enable the channel fastener  10  to be secured to a variety of cross-car pin  60  locations. Such cross-car capability may also maintain proper positioning of the attachment feature  36  and the molding  160  in the ditch  130 . 
         [0054]    The construction material for the molding retainer clip  12  and wings  34  may allow the channel fastener  10  to withstand forces caused by the expansion and contraction of the roofing panels  110 ,  120  and the molding  160 . Additionally, the wings  34  may provide for proper alignment of the channel fastener  10  and allow the channel fastener  10  to be employed in a variety of ditch  130  widths, thereby allowing for the use of a common channel fastener  10  along the entire length of the ditch  130 . 
         [0055]    Although the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to merely the embodiments disclosed but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter.