Patent Description:
The invention can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses and construction equipment. Although the invention will be described with respect to a truck, the invention is not restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other vehicles such as passenger cars.

There is an increasing demand to have hidden fixations in order to provide a smooth visual appearance of decorative cover panels that are mounted to the vehicle. Often space is limited between the cover panel and the part of the vehicle to which the cover panel is to be mounted.

<CIT> discloses a fastener with a shank and, arranged at one end of the shank, a head intended for welding to a workpiece. The fastener has multiple detent pawls formed on the shank that extend radially outward from the shank towards the head and that are elastically resilient in the radially inward direction. A trim panel may be pressed onto the fastener and become snapped into a pawl.

The fastener in <CIT> is rather bulky and does not disclose that the fastener may be hidden between the trim panel and the workpiece to which it is connected.

<CIT> discloses a fastener for mounting a safety- or designer hood over a car engine.

An object of the invention is to provide an arrangement comprising a clip for connecting a cover panel to a vehicle body, which alleviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to a first aspect, which does not form part of the claimed invention, there is provided a clip for connecting a cover panel to a vehicle body. The clip comprises:.

By the provision of a clip comprising an inner portion having an axial extension which is shorter than the axial extension of each leg portion, a compact clip is accomplished. Furthermore, the small axial extension is beneficial for the clip to receive a fastening means such as a screw, bolt or rivet, the head of which may, for instance, be accommodated in a space defined by the axially extending leg portions around the annular inner portion.

It should be understood that in this disclosure, the term annular is to be understood as forming a closed path, such as a ring-shape. However, it must be understood that the annular inner portion does not necessarily form a circular shape, but that other closed paths are conceivable. Just like a ring, does not need to be circular but have various shapes, including oval, or even square shaped (like a boxing ring), the annular inner portion may also be embodied as various ring-like shapes.

Even though the annular inner portion is not necessarily a circular configuration, the various directions of extensions of the clip may be described based on a cylindrical r, θ, z - coordinate system, wherein the coordinate r defines the radial direction, the coordinate θ defines the circumferential/angular direction and the coordinate z defines the axial direction. Thus, according to the invention, the axial extension, i.e. in the z-direction, is longer for the leg portions than for the annular inner portion. The leg portions are distributed around the annular inner portion in the circumferential direction, i.e. the θ-direction, and they extend from the annular portion radially, i.e. in the r-direction.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, each leg portion comprises an engagement surface, wherein the leg portion is configured to flex radially inwardly when the initial contact surface is pressed by a cover panel to be mounted, and wherein the engagement surface is configured to snap onto a mating engagement surface of the cover panel when the cover panel has been pressed past the initial contact surface. By having an initial contact surface separate from than engagement surface, an efficient snap-lock effect is obtainable.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, each leg portion comprises an undercut extending radially inwardly from the initial contact surface, wherein the undercut comprises said engagement surface, which is adapted to face the vehicle body. An undercut provides an advantageous surface for holding a mating structure such as an engagement surface of a cover panel, and reduces the risk of the cover panel loosening from the clip.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the undercut extends for <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM> from the initial contact surface. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, said engagement surface forms an angle of <NUM>°-<NUM>°, such as <NUM>°-<NUM>°, typically <NUM>°-<NUM>°, relative to a geometrical plane which is perpendicular to said first and second axial directions. These ranges have been found to allow for a beneficial engagement with a cover panel. The exemplified extension of the undercut may be enough for providing a robust snapping function that is audible as an indication that the clip has snapped into place during mounting of a cover panel. The exemplified angle also allows for the use of a reasonable disassembly force to be used, in case the cover panel is later to be removed and replaced.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, each leg portion has a generally arched shape formed by a radially inner leg-subportion, a radially outer leg-subportion and an intermediate knee, wherein the inner leg-subportion extends from the inner portion to the knee, and the outer leg-subportion extends from the knee to its free end. This is a beneficial configuration of the leg portions, because it combines resiliency of the leg portions with a limited axial extension.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the outer leg-subportion has both an axial extension and a radial extension. The partially radial extension of the outer leg-subportion is beneficial because when a cover panel is pressed in the axial direction of the clip, the outer leg-subportions will due to the continuous forward motion of the pressing cover panel be gradually pressed radially inwardly, and then flexed back with relatively strong force, thereby providing for a clearly discernible snap-lock.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the inner leg-subportion has both an axial extension and a radial extension. By having also a radial extension of the inner leg-subportion, the resiliency of the outer leg-subportion may be easier to configure as desired.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the inner leg-subportion extends from the second side of the annular inner portion in a direction away from said first and second sides of the annular inner portion. This is advantageous since the inner leg sub-portions may define a boundary within which, for instance, a head and/or shoulder of a fastening means (such as a screw, bolt or rivet) may be confined, for fastening the clip to a vehicle body.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the initial contact surface and the engagement surface are both provided on the outer leg-subportion. This is advantageous since the outer leg-subportion is the one that is most convenient to provide with a resilient and efficient snap-lock function.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, said outer leg-subportion tapers from its free end towards the intermediate knee. This is advantageous as the tapering shape may provide a large initial contact surface for pressing the outer leg-subportion radially inwards.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the intermediate knee has a crest which is separated by a distance of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM>, for instance <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>,<NUM>, from a geometrical plane coinciding with said first side of the annular inner portion. This is advantageous since it provides a relatively low height of the clip, i.e. low axial extension.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the axial extension of each leg portion is more than twice, suitably more than three times, the axial extension of the annular inner portion. By keeping the axial extension of the annular inner portion small, a head of a fastener may be accommodated on top of the annular inner portion without adding extra height to the clip as a whole.

According to a second aspect, which forms part of the invention, the object is achieved by an arrangement according to claim <NUM>, the arrangement comprising a clip of the first aspect in combination with a fastening means, such as a screw, bolt or rivet, wherein the fastening means comprises:.

By providing an arrangement in which a gap is formed between the annular inner portion and a shoulder portion of the fastening means, tolerance stackup is taken care for. The gap is also beneficial for anticipating any temperature-related material expansions/deformations of the cover panel to be mounted. For instance, a large cover panel, may when the temperature changes undergo certain dimensional changes which will affect the clip, which is allowed to "float" because of the gap.

Advantageously, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the annular gap separates the shoulder portion from the annular inner portion by a distance of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM>, for instance <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the axial extension of the annular inner portion is shorter than the axial extension of the shoulder portion. This is advantageous, because it allows certain movement of the clip when mounting the cover panel, facilitating the flexing and snapping of the leg portions of the clip.

Advantageously, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the shoulder portion has an axial extension which is <NUM>-<NUM> greater than the axial extension of the annular inner portion.

According to a third aspect, which also forms part of the invention, the object is achieved by a vehicle comprising an arrangement according to the second aspect.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of a vehicle <NUM>, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. Although the vehicle <NUM> is illustrated in the form of a truck, other types of vehicles, such as busses, construction equipment, trailers or passenger cars may be provided in accordance with the invention.

The truck (vehicle) comprises a cab <NUM> in which a driver may operate the vehicle <NUM>. The cab <NUM> may be provided with cover panels at various locations. Such cover panels may be attached to the body of the cab <NUM> by means of the inventive clip and/or the inventive arrangement defined in the claims. It should be understood that the inventive clip and/or the inventive arrangement defined in the claims may also be used to attach cover panels/outer panels to other parts of the vehicle <NUM>, for example for aerodynamic reasons, or for concealing and/or protecting certain components. Exemplary embodiments of such an inventive clip and such an inventive arrangement will be discussed in the following with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate is a clip <NUM> in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the clip <NUM>, taken along line A-A in <FIG>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the clip <NUM> comprises an annular inner portion <NUM>. The annular inner portion <NUM> defines a central through hole <NUM>. Although the annular inner portion <NUM> and the central through hole <NUM> are illustrated as being circular, in other exemplary embodiments they may have different shapes, such as polygonal.

The annular inner portion <NUM> has a first side <NUM> adapted to face a vehicle body and an opposite second side <NUM> adapted to face away from the vehicle body. Although it is advantageous, to have the first side <NUM> and the second side <NUM> substantially flat, in other exemplary embodiments depending on the type of fastening means to be used with the clip <NUM>, or depending on the contour of the vehicle body, one or both of the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> may have a non-flat shape, for instance a curved or a stepped shape.

The central through hole <NUM> extends axially from the second side <NUM> to the first side <NUM>. The central through hole <NUM> is intended to receive a fastening means (such as the shaft of a screw, bolt or rivet) for securing the clip <NUM> to the vehicle body.

A first axial direction Z1 may be defined as extending first through the first side <NUM> and then onwards through the second side <NUM>. A second axial direction Z2 may be defined as being directed oppositely to the first axial direction Z1.

The clip <NUM> also comprises a plurality of leg portions <NUM> for snap-locking a cover panel to be mounted to the vehicle body. The leg portions <NUM> extend radially from the annular inner portion <NUM> and are circumferentially distributed and separated from each other by void spaces <NUM>. The size of the void spaces <NUM> between the leg portions <NUM> and the number of void spaces <NUM> may be chosen depending on, for instance, how large snap-lock force that is desired. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the number of void spaces <NUM> is eight and the separating distance between two adjacent leg portions <NUM>, caused by the void spaces <NUM>, may be around <NUM>-<NUM>. However, it should be understood that other number of void spaces and leg portions may be provided in other exemplary embodiments. For instance, the number xof leg portions and void spaces may be three, four, five, six, seven, nine, ten, eleven or twelve. The leg portions <NUM> are suitably symmetrically and/or equidistantly distributed in the circumferential direction as illustrated in the drawings, however, in other exemplary embodiments, one or more of the leg portions may be asymmetrically distributed. The overall diameter of the clip <NUM> (for example from an outer periphery of the clip defined by one leg portion <NUM> to an outer periphery of an opposite leg portion <NUM>) may, for instance, be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM>.

Each leg portion <NUM> has an initial contact surface <NUM> and each leg portion <NUM> is configured to flex radially inwardly towards the annular inner portion <NUM> when the initial contact surface <NUM> is subjected to a pressing force in a direction parallel to said second axial direction Z2, and to snap radially outwardly when said pressing force on the initial contact surface <NUM> has ceased. The initial contact surface <NUM> is herein illustrated as an obliquely extending surface, however, other forms and angles are conceivable in other exemplary embodiments, as long as a pressing force may be applied onto the initial contact surface such that the flexing and snapping-back effect is achieved.

According to the invention, the axial extension a of the annular inner portion <NUM> is shorter than the axial extension b of the leg portions <NUM>. The axial extension b of each leg portion <NUM> may for instance be more than twice, suitably more than three times, the axial extension a of the annular inner portion <NUM>. This provides for a compact clip <NUM>. Furthermore, a head of a fastening means may be housed in the volume defined by the leg portions <NUM> which extend circumferentially around the annular inner portion <NUM>. Put differently, a fastening means may be provided which does not protrude axially (in the first axial direction Z1) beyond the leg portions <NUM>, and thereby will not build in height. As will be discussed later on, this allows for a cover panel to conceal both the clip <NUM> and the fastening means, and these will therefore not become visible when the cover panel has been connected to a vehicle body, thereby enabling the presentation of an attractive visual appearance, without any fastening or connecting means showing.

The term "axial extension" may, at least in some exemplary embodiments (in particular for embodiments having an annular inner portion <NUM> with a flat first side <NUM>) be regarded as an extension in a direction which is perpendicular to a geometrical plane coinciding with the plane of the first side <NUM> of annular inner portion <NUM>.

Each leg portion <NUM> comprises an engagement surface <NUM>. After the leg portion <NUM> has flexed radially inwardly due to the initial contact surface <NUM> having been pressed by a cover panel to be mounted, the engagement surface <NUM> is configured to snap onto a mating engagement surface of the cover panel when the cover panel has been pressed past the initial contact surface <NUM>. The engagement surface may suitably form an angle relative to the a geometrical plane which is perpendicular to the first and second axial directions Z1 and Z2. That angle may suitably be between <NUM>°-<NUM>°, such as <NUM>°-<NUM>°, typically <NUM>°-<NUM>°.

Although the engagement surface <NUM> may be at an axially end part (for instance, towards the first axial direction Z1) in other embodiments such as the one illustrated in the drawings, the engagement surface <NUM> is formed between the ends (as seen in the axial direction) of the leg portions <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the engagement surface <NUM> may be formed by an undercut extending radially inwardly from the initial contact surface <NUM>. The undercut may, for instance, extend for <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM> from the initial contact surface <NUM>.

Each leg portion <NUM> has a generally arched shape formed by a radially inner leg-subportion <NUM>, a radially outer leg-subportion <NUM> and an intermediate knee <NUM>. The inner leg-subportion <NUM> extends from the annular inner portion <NUM> to the knee <NUM>, and the outer leg-subportion <NUM> extends from the knee <NUM> to its free end. The inner leg-subportion <NUM> may suitably extend from the second side <NUM> of the annular inner portion <NUM> in a direction away from said first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the annular inner portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the thickness of the outer leg-subportion <NUM> is greater than the thickness of the inner leg-subportion <NUM>. However, in other exemplary embodiments the thickness of the inner leg-subportion <NUM> may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the outer leg-subportion <NUM>. Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the length of the outer leg-subportion <NUM> may be longer than the length of the inner leg-subportion <NUM>, while in other exemplary embodiments, the length of the inner leg-subportion <NUM> is equal to or longer than the length of the outer leg-subportion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in at least some exemplary embodiments the outer leg-subportion <NUM> extends from the knee <NUM> axially beyond the second side <NUM> of the annular inner portion <NUM>. In at least some exemplary embodiments the outer leg-subportion <NUM> extends from the knee <NUM> axially beyond the second side <NUM> but not axially beyond the first side <NUM> of the annular inner portion <NUM>. In some exemplary embodiments, however, the outer leg-subportion <NUM> extends from the knee but not beyond the second side <NUM> of the annular inner portion <NUM>.

As best seen in <FIG>, in at least some exemplary embodiments the outer leg-subportion <NUM> has both an axial extension and a radial extension. Similarly, the inner leg-subportion <NUM> may have both an axial extension and a radial extension. As can be seen in <FIG>, the initial contact surface <NUM> may suitably form a greater angle relative to the axial directions Z1, Z2 than the inner leg-subportion <NUM>, although in other exemplary embodiments it may form the same or a smaller angle. The large angle is advantageous in that it provides a large surface area to be pressed by the cover panel when becoming mounted to the vehicle body. Thus, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the outer leg-subportion <NUM> tapers from its free end towards the intermediate knee <NUM>.

In at least some exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the initial contact surface <NUM> and the engagement surface <NUM> are both provided on the outer leg-subportion <NUM>. In other exemplary embodiments, the initial contact surface may, for instance be provided on the knee.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the intermediate knee <NUM> of each leg portion <NUM> has a crest which is separated by a distance of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM>, for instance <NUM> - <NUM>, from a geometrical plane coinciding with said first side <NUM> of the annular inner portion.

Turning now to <FIG>, wherein <FIG> illustrates an arrangement <NUM> comprising a clip <NUM> (such as the clip in <FIG>) in combination with a fastening means <NUM>, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention, and <FIG> illustrates a cover panel <NUM> having been connected to a vehicle body <NUM> by means of an arrangement <NUM> (such as the arrangement in <FIG>) according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The fastening means <NUM> is herein illustrated as a bolt, however it could be some other type of fastening means, such as a screw or rivet. The fastening means <NUM> comprises head portion <NUM> and a shank portion <NUM>. The fastening means <NUM> also comprises a shoulder portion <NUM> extending from the head portion <NUM> to the shank portion <NUM>. The head portion <NUM> is configured to press the annular inner portion <NUM> of the clip <NUM> towards the vehicle body <NUM>. The shank portion <NUM> extends through the vehicle body <NUM> and is configured to connect/engage with the vehicle body <NUM> directly or indirectly via a connecting element <NUM> such as a threaded nut or sleeve. The shoulder portion <NUM> is adapted to abut the vehicle body <NUM> and is dimensioned to extend through the through hole <NUM> defined by the annular inner portion <NUM> such that an annular gap <NUM> is formed between the shoulder portion <NUM> and the annular inner portion <NUM> of the clip <NUM>. The annular gap <NUM> may suitably separate the shoulder portion <NUM> from the annular inner portion <NUM> by a distance of <NUM>-<NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM>, for instance <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the axial extension of the annular inner portion <NUM> is shorter than the axial extension of the shoulder portion <NUM>. The shoulder portion <NUM> may, for instance, have an axial extension which is <NUM>-<NUM> greater than the axial extension of the annular inner portion <NUM>.

In use, the arrangement <NUM> may, after it has been fixated to the vehicle body <NUM>, receive the cover panel <NUM> so that the cover panel <NUM> becomes connected to the vehicle body <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The cover panel <NUM> is herein illustrated as having at least two arms <NUM> intended to extend from the main part of the cover panel <NUM> in the second axial direction Z2 (cf. Each arm <NUM> of the cover panel <NUM> is configured to engage with a respective leg portion <NUM> of the clip <NUM>. More specifically, each arm has a projection <NUM>. As the cover panel <NUM> approaches the arrangement <NUM>, a leading side of the projection <NUM> of the arm comes into contact with and presses the initial contact surface <NUM>, thereby causing the leg portion <NUM>, in particular the outer leg-subportion to flex radially inwardly. Next, when the projection <NUM> has moved axially past the initial contact surface <NUM>, the leg portion <NUM> will flex back and snap onto the projection <NUM>. More particularly, the engagement surface <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the leg portion <NUM> will come into engagement with a trailing side of the projection <NUM>. In other words the trailing side of the projection <NUM> presents a mating engagement surface. In this state, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cover panel <NUM> is appropriately connected to the vehicle body <NUM>, and conceals the arrangement <NUM> including the clip <NUM> and the fastening means <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An arrangement (<NUM>) comprising a clip (<NUM>) for connecting a cover panel (<NUM>) to a vehicle body (<NUM>) in combination with a fastening means (<NUM>), such as a screw, bolt or rivet,
wherein the clip (<NUM>) comprises:
an annular inner portion (<NUM>) having a first side (<NUM>) adapted to face a vehicle body (<NUM>) and an opposite second side (<NUM>) adapted to face away from the vehicle body (<NUM>), the annular inner portion (<NUM>) defining a central through hole (<NUM>) which extends axially from said second side (<NUM>) to said first side (<NUM>) for receiving a fastening means (<NUM>) for securing the clip (<NUM>) to the vehicle body (<NUM>), wherein a first axial direction (Z1) is directed from the first side (<NUM>) to the second side (<NUM>) and wherein a second axial direction (Z2) is directed oppositely to the first axial direction (Z1), and
a plurality of leg portions (<NUM>) for snap-locking a cover panel (<NUM>) to be mounted to the vehicle body (<NUM>), the leg portions (<NUM>) extending radially from the annular inner portion (<NUM>) and being circumferentially distributed and separated from each other by void spaces (<NUM>), each leg portion (<NUM>) having an initial contact surface (<NUM>), wherein the leg portion (<NUM>) is configured to flex radially inwardly towards the annular inner portion (<NUM>) when the initial contact surface (<NUM>) is subjected to a pressing force in a direction parallel to said second axial direction (Z2), and to snap radially outwardly when said pressing force on the initial contact surface (<NUM>) has ceased, wherein the axial extension (a) of the annular inner portion (<NUM>) is shorter than the axial extension (b) of the leg portions (<NUM>), wherein the fastening means (<NUM>) comprises:
- a head portion (<NUM>) for pressing the annular inner portion (<NUM>) of the clip (<NUM>) towards a vehicle body (<NUM>),
- a shank portion (<NUM>) for connecting with the vehicle body (<NUM>), and
- a shoulder portion (<NUM>) extending from the head portion (<NUM>) to the shank portion (<NUM>) and adapted to abut the vehicle body (<NUM>), wherein the shoulder portion (<NUM>) is dimensioned to extend through the through hole (<NUM>) defined by the annular inner portion (<NUM>) such that an annular gap (<NUM>) is formed between the shoulder portion (<NUM>) and the annular inner portion (<NUM>) of the clip (<NUM>).