Patent Description:
In the automotive industry, fastening clips are used to mount components, structures or panels to the frame of a vehicle. One particular type of fastening clip for use in a storage compartment of a vehicle, is embedded to a base panel or a side panel of the storage compartment. Such a fastening clip is located at a fixed point, or more often, multiple fixed points, of the storage compartment. The fastening clip(s) is connected to a luggage ring, onto which loose objects such as shopping bags or items are attached so that they do not move around the storage compartment when the vehicle is in motion. Other types of fastening clips are also known within the automotive industry.

Typically, in an automotive manufacturing process, a number of fastening clips are assembled into the storage compartment using fasteners, which can be a time-consuming process. When all of the fastening clips and respective luggage rings are installed, the vehicle undergoes an inspection to check the quality of the fittings. This involves verifying that all of the fastening clips are installed properly. For example, the torque data recorded by electronic screwdrivers when installing the screwed luggage ring is used to verify correct installation. From this, it is understandable that having to carry and use a tool in order to install a luggage ring can be rather cumbersome, especially when access to the vehicle location is difficult. Also, since there are typically many fastening clips installed, the process for checking the quality of the fittings can be time-consuming and tedious. The process for quality checking is especially tedious when the fastening clips are placed in hard-to-reach locations. Often, fastening clips are placed within these hard-to-reach locations in order to prevent any objects attached to the fastening clips from moving around during transport. For example, some storage compartments of vehicles have fastening clips connected to luggage rings placed at a location close to the rear passenger seats. It is particularly important to ensure that the fastening clips are properly installed in order to avoid vibrations when the vehicle is running. <CIT> discloses a fastener allowing the fastening completion state to be clearly displayed.

It would be desirable to provide a verification cap that can alleviate or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems. Particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a verification cap that facilitates a quick and efficient way of verifying installation of a fastening clip to a support structure. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a verification cap that can quickly verify whether a fastening clip is properly installed into a support structure. It is another object of the invention to provide a verification cap that can allow an installer to efficiently verify installation of a fastening clip to a support structure by visual inspection only, which removes the need for tedious and unnecessarily involved inspection processes.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a verification cap assembly according to the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a verification cap for verifying installation of a fastening clip to a support structure, comprising:.

Thus, the correct (i.e. complete) installation of a fastening clip to a support structure can be quickly and efficiently verified. The provision of at least one stop member projecting away from the cover member provides a restricted space of a predetermined size that accommodates at least one component of the fastening clip. When the cover member is in the closed position, the at least one component of the fastening clip is accommodated within the space, to provide verification that the fastening clip is properly installed. If, however, the fastener clip is not properly installed, the space does not provide sufficient room to accommodate the at least one component of the fastening clip, and therefore the cover member is placed into an open position, disengaged from the top end part of the base member. The position of the cover member relative to the base member, in either a closed position or an open position, indicates whether or not, respectively, a fastening clip is fully installed to a support structure. This verification cap can therefore provide a visual indication of whether the fastening clip is properly installed, removing the need for tedious and time-consuming inspection processes.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the interior space is configured to retainingly receive a head portion of the fastening clip, during assembly.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the stop member is configured to contactingly engage with the at least one component when the at least one component is not entirely contained within the predetermined restricted space of the base member.

Advantageously, in specific embodiments, the stop member comprises a latch at a distal end configured to catchingly engage with an aperture of the fastening clip when in the closed position.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the base member comprises two opposing parallelly arranged pairs of teeth adapted to retainingly couple with a head portion of the fastening clip.

Advantageously, in some specific embodiments, the teeth extend from the side wall into the interior space and up towards the top end portion.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the teeth comprise a latch portion configured to engage with the head portion of the fastening clip.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the cover member comprises a lock member projecting away from the cover member, and the base member comprises a respective catch member configured to lockingly engage with the lock member when the cover member is in the closed position.

Advantageously, in some specific embodiments, the catch member is further adapted to selectively disengage from the lock member.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the verification cap comprises two parallelly arranged stop members, spaced apart from one another at a distance corresponding to a distance between two respective components of the fastening clip.

Advantageously, in some specific embodiments, the at least one component is a bearing surface of an elastically deformable biasing member of the fastening clip, the bearing surface extending in a direction substantially parallel to a flat upper surface of the head portion of the fastening clip.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the base member comprises a skirt portion projecting laterally outwardly from the bottom end portion and adapted to provide a seal between the verification cap and the support structure, during use.

Accordingly to the present invention, there is provided a verification cap assembly, comprising a fastening clip and a verification cap. The fastening clip is for installation to at least one support structure, and has a body portion and a head portion. The verification cap is adapted to enclosingly receive the fastening clip when fastened to the at least one support structure.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the fastening clip further comprises a pivotably movable ring member operably arranged outside the verification cap.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the ring member is operably coupled to and forming a friction fit with the head portion of the fastening clip.

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words 'right', 'left', 'lower', 'upper', 'front', 'rear', 'upward', 'down' and 'downward' designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made and are with respect to the described component when assembled and mounted. The words 'inner', 'inwardly' and 'outer', 'outwardly' refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centreline or a geometric centre of an element being described (e.g. central axis), the particular meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description.

Further, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives, such as, "first", "second", "third" etc. merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner.

Like reference numerals are used to depict like features throughout.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a luggage ring assembly <NUM> including a fastening clip <NUM> having a body (<NUM>, <FIG>) which secures a luggage ring <NUM> in a way that allows the luggage ring <NUM> to be pivoted relative to fastening clip <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> also includes a verification cap <NUM> provided with an upper lid <NUM> and a lower base <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is connected together with the base <NUM> by a hinge <NUM> which allows the lid <NUM> to pivot about the base <NUM> between open and closed position. The base <NUM> has an outer side wall that defines an interior space of a predetermined depth. The side wall is formed as a single part having two pairs of opposing wall portions. The ends of the base <NUM> at the top and at the bottom are open, so that the outer side wall of the base <NUM> forms a tubular structure. In this example embodiment, the side wall of the base <NUM> has a square profile when viewed from the top. However, it is envisaged that the base <NUM> may have a different profile other than a square, such as a circle or polygon, for example. The lid <NUM> is provided with an outer side wall with a profile corresponding to the profile of the base <NUM>. The outer side wall of the lid <NUM> is formed as a single part having two pairs of opposing wall portions. The bottom end of the lid <NUM> side wall is open, having a square profile when viewed from the bottom. The top end of the lid <NUM> is closed. The lid <NUM> and the base <NUM> are shaped such that when they are closed together about the hinge <NUM>, they form an enclosure which is closed at the top, and open at the bottom. The bottom of the base <NUM> is open in order to receive a head (<NUM>, <FIG>) of the fastening clip <NUM> within the interior space of the base <NUM>. A skirt <NUM> is integrally formed on a lower part of the base <NUM>, laterally protruding in a direction perpendicular to the side wall. The skirt <NUM> provides sealing properties when the assembly <NUM> is inserted into a support structure. Additionally, or alternatively, the skirt <NUM> is configured to cover any gaps between the trim or vehicle surface and the lower base <NUM> (e.g. due to tolerances) (see, for example, the alternative design of the verification cap <NUM> shown in <FIG>). The skirt <NUM> is continuous around the entire bottom edge of the base <NUM>. In this example embodiment, the side walls of the lid <NUM> and base <NUM> each have a semi-circular cut-out (i.e. opening) on opposite wall portions, so that when the lid <NUM> and base <NUM> come together into a closed position, a circular opening is formed on opposite wall portions where the semi-circular cut-outs are formed. The circular opening is sized to house a section of the luggage ring <NUM> when the luggage ring <NUM> is secured to the fastening clip <NUM>.

Projecting from a lower surface of the lid <NUM> are a first verification tab <NUM> and a second verification tab <NUM>. The second verification tab <NUM> is spaced apart from the first verification tab <NUM> along the bottom surface of the lid <NUM>. Although two verification tabs <NUM>,<NUM> are provided in this specific example embodiment, other embodiments may include a different number of verification tabs, for example one, three, four, or more. A hook <NUM> projects downward from the lower surface of the lid <NUM>, between the first verification tab <NUM> and the edge of the lid <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the hook <NUM> is integrally formed with the first verification tab <NUM>. The base <NUM> is provided with a catch (<NUM>, <FIG>) at a location corresponding to the hook <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is in a closed position relative to the base <NUM>. The first verification tab <NUM> is provided with a latch at a distal end away from the lid <NUM>. The hook <NUM> extends laterally in a direction parallel to the lower surface of the lid <NUM>. The latch of the first verification tab <NUM> extends laterally in a direction opposite to the direction of the hook <NUM>.

The fastening clip <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>, with a luggage ring <NUM> shown in an upstanding position. The body <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> is integrally formed with a head <NUM>. The head <NUM> has an opening on its top surface, on which are provided mechanical stops <NUM> on opposite sides. These mechanical stops <NUM> act as a guide to secure the luggage ring <NUM> to the fastening clip <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>). The head <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> has holding arms <NUM> integral with and extending from opposite corners. The holding arms <NUM> are in contact with and partially surround the luggage ring <NUM> when the luggage ring <NUM> is secured to the fastening clip <NUM>. This allows the luggage ring <NUM> to be maintained in a desired position by friction during use, such as in the upstanding position shown in <FIG>. The body <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> is provided with openings on the sides. The openings provide access for parts of the fastening clip <NUM> to extend through from the inside of the body <NUM> through to the outside. More specifically, the fastening clip <NUM> is provided with a pair of oppositely protruding resilient arms <NUM> extending through a respective pair of opposite upper openings in the body <NUM>. The resilient arms <NUM> laterally protrude in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the head <NUM>. The fastening clip <NUM> is also provided with a pair of oppositely protruding shoulders <NUM> extending through a respective pair of opposite lower openings in the body <NUM>. The resilient arm <NUM> and shoulder <NUM> on each side are integrally formed, as best shown in <FIG>. At an end away from the head <NUM>, the fastening clip <NUM> is provided with legs <NUM> for inserting into a panel structure, in order to secure the fastening clip <NUM> to the support structure.

Turning to <FIG>, to assemble the fastening clip <NUM> with the verification cap <NUM>, the legs <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> are placed, from the top, downwards through the base <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is hinged open relative to the base <NUM>. When the legs <NUM> are placed through the base <NUM>, the head <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> is positioned in the interior space of the base <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, two opposing pairs of teeth <NUM> are parallelly arranged and extending inwards and upwards from the base <NUM> sidewall. The distal ends of the teeth <NUM>, away from the side wall, are provided with a latch for securing the head <NUM> of the fastening clip in place when the fastening clip <NUM> is placed within the verification cap <NUM>. The top surface of the head <NUM> is flat, so that it can easily be engaged by a digit of a user to push the fastening clip <NUM> downwards. At the same time, the luggage ring <NUM> is held in place by the semi-circular cut-out of the base <NUM>. In the open postion, the lid <NUM> and the base <NUM> are disengaged from one another at their respective lower and upper surfaces, but they remain connected by the hinge <NUM>. Since the lid <NUM> and the base <NUM> are connected together by a hinge <NUM>, the lid <NUM> is movable relative to the base <NUM> between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the bottom end of the lid <NUM> side wall is disengaged from the top end of the base <NUM> side wall. In the closed position, the bottom end of the lid <NUM> side wall is engaged with the top end of the base <NUM> side wall. An example of the lid <NUM> in an open position is shown in <FIG>, where the lid <NUM> is angled <NUM> degrees relative to the base <NUM>. An example of the lid <NUM> in a closed position is shown in <FIG>, where the lid <NUM> is arranged perpendicular to the base <NUM>. Other orientations of the lid <NUM> with different angles are envisaged. Similarly, the angle of the luggage ring <NUM> relative to the base <NUM> can vary depending on the required application. In <FIG>, the luggage ring <NUM> is shown to be raised, offset relative to the base <NUM> by <NUM> degrees. In <FIG>, the luggage ring is <NUM> is lowered (i.e. <NUM> degrees) relative to the base <NUM>. Other angles are also envisaged. In this example embodiment, once the luggage ring <NUM> has been placed into the desired position, it remains in that position since the holding arms <NUM> of the fastener clip <NUM> surround and hold the luggage ring <NUM> in place by friction. At the same time, the head <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> secures the luggage ring <NUM> by friction.

The insertion of the fastening clip <NUM> and verification cap <NUM> assembly into a panel <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. The legs <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> are inserted through an opening <NUM> of a panel <NUM>. For example, the top surface of the head <NUM> can be engaged by a digit of a user to push the fastening clip <NUM> downwards. In this example embodiment, the bottom end of the base <NUM> side wall has a skirt <NUM> that covers the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM> from view and provides sealing between the verification cap <NUM> and panel <NUM> when the fastening clip <NUM> is inserted. The skirt <NUM> prevents dust and water from entering into the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM> and into the fastening clip <NUM>. In order to hold the fastening clip <NUM> into place inside the panel <NUM>, the shoulders <NUM> and the arms <NUM> are elastic and resiliently biased outwards. When the legs <NUM> of the fastening clip <NUM> are inserted into the panel opening <NUM>, a force is exerted onto the shoulders <NUM> and arms <NUM> to urge them inwards, as indicated by the position denoted by the dashed line in <FIG>. The reference numeral <NUM> denotes the position of the shoulders before they are deformed inwardly by the force exerted. The reference numeral <NUM>' denotes the position of the shoulders after deformation. The deformation of the shoulders <NUM> causes the resilient arms <NUM> to also deform inwards. The reference numeral <NUM> denotes the position of the arms before deformation caused by the deformation of the shoulders <NUM>. The reference numeral <NUM> denotes the position of the arms after deformation. When the shoulders <NUM> and resilient arms <NUM> deform inwardly, the fastening clip <NUM> can fit through the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. After the resilient arms <NUM> and shoulders <NUM> are inserted through and clear the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM>, force is no longer exerted onto these components by the panel <NUM>. The arms <NUM> and the shoulders <NUM> bias back outwards beyond the width of the opening <NUM>, holding the fastening clip <NUM> in place, preventing removal.

The use of the verification cap <NUM> for verifying installation of a fastening clip <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. The verification cap <NUM> is able to verify whether a fastening clip <NUM> is fully (i.e. completely and properly) installed into a panel <NUM>. After the fastening clip <NUM> has been secured to the panel <NUM>, the verification cap <NUM> is also held in place since it is held by the fastening clip <NUM>. In addition, the latch of the first verification tab <NUM> is held within an opening of the fastening clip <NUM> head <NUM> to secure the verification cap <NUM> in place.

As shown in <FIG>, when the fastening clip <NUM> is properly or correctly installed, the resilient arms <NUM> and the shoulders <NUM> move completely past the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM>, and bias back outwards to their original position, to secure the fastening clip <NUM> in place. This positions the resilient arms <NUM> in a way that occupies relatively little space towards the verification tabs <NUM>,<NUM>. In this particular example embodiment, the resilient arms <NUM> are placed into a position laterally extending in a direction parallel to the panel <NUM>. Since the resilient arms <NUM> occupy relatively little space, they can be accommodated within the predetermined space between the distal end of the verification tabs <NUM>,<NUM> and the base <NUM>. This allows the lid <NUM> of the verification cap <NUM> to be placed into the closed position without the verification tabs <NUM>,<NUM> coming into contact with the resilient arms <NUM>. When the verification cap <NUM> is in the closed position, the top end of the base <NUM> side wall is in contact with the bottom end of the lid <NUM> side wall. Also, in the closed position, the hook <NUM> of the lid <NUM> engages with a corresponding catch <NUM> of the base <NUM>, to secure the lid <NUM> relative to the base <NUM>. It is envisaged that this securement of the lid <NUM> to the base <NUM> may be releasable, so that the <NUM> lid and base <NUM> can be selectively engaged and disengaged with one another.

If the fastening clip <NUM> is not properly or correctly installed, then the resilient arms <NUM> and the shoulders <NUM> do not move completely past the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As such, they remain in an inwardly deformed position due to a force exerted by the panel <NUM> onto the fastening clip <NUM>. In this example embodiment, the inward bias of the shoulders <NUM> urges the resilient arms <NUM> inwards and upwards such that the resilient arms <NUM> come into contact with the verifications tabs <NUM>, <NUM>. This contact urges the lid <NUM> upward into an open position where the bottom of the lid <NUM> is disengaged with the top of the base <NUM>. This provides a visual indication in a quick and simple manner that the fastening clip <NUM> is not properly or correctly installed into the panel <NUM>. One or both of the resilient arms <NUM> may contact the corresponding verification tab <NUM>,<NUM> to urge the lid <NUM> upwards into an open position, indicating that the fastening clip <NUM> is not fully or properly installed.

<FIG> shows an alternative embodiment of the verification cap <NUM> of the present invention. Here, the skirt <NUM> has been designed around the base <NUM> that is particularly adapted to eliminate, or at least minimise, any gapping between the base <NUM> of the cap <NUM> and the vehicle panel <NUM> (e.g. from a carpet in the trim). In addition, the skirt <NUM> comprises mechanical stops <NUM> for the luggage ring <NUM> adapted to prevent the luggage ring <NUM> from contacting the panel or trim (e.g. avoid rattling during movement). Further, the stops <NUM> (e.g. in the form of a ramp feature extending laterally outward from a centre portion of the skirt <NUM>) allow for the luggage ring to be positioned at an angle with respect to the panel surface making it easier for the user to grab and pivot the luggage ring <NUM> during use. The ramp features of the stops <NUM> may be an integral part of the skirt <NUM> but may also be installed retrospectively.

In yet another alternative embodiment of the verification cap of the luggage ring assembly of the present invention (not shown), the predetermined spaces may be provided at the upper lid (e.g. through apertures or recesses within the interior surface of the upper lid) wherein verification tab(s) of a predetermined length are provided on an upper surface of the fastening clip, such that, when closing the upper lid, the verification tab(s) move into the apertures or recesses without contacting the inner surface of the lid when the fastening clip is installed correctly. In the event the fastening clip is not properly inserted, the verification tab(s) on the fastening clip will contactingly engage with the inner surface of the upper lid, preventing the lid to be closed.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above detailed examples have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the detailed examples described above are possible.

Through the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment(s) have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the detailed designs as described above are possible.

Claim 1:
A verification cap assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a fastening clip (<NUM>) for installation to at least one support structure (<NUM>), having a body portion (<NUM>) and a head portion (<NUM>), and
a verification cap (<NUM>, <NUM>) for verifying installation of the fastening clip (<NUM>) to the at least one support structure (<NUM>), comprising:
a base member (<NUM>), comprising an enclosing side wall defining an interior space between an open bottom end portion and an open top end portion, configured to retainingly receive at least a portion of the fastening clip (<NUM>) during assembly, and
a cover member (<NUM>), hingeably connected to said base member (<NUM>) and movable between a closed position, lockingly engaged with said top end portion of said side wall, and an open position, disengaged from said top end portion of said side wall, comprising at least one stop member (<NUM>, <NUM>) projecting away from said cover member (<NUM>) into said interior space so as to define a predetermined restricted space for accommodating at least one component (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the fastening clip (<NUM>) between said bottom end portion and a distal end of said stop member (<NUM>, <NUM>) when said cover member (<NUM>) is in said closed position, during use,
wherein the verification cap (<NUM>, <NUM>) is adapted to enclosingly receive said fastening clip (<NUM>) when fastened to the at least one support structure (<NUM>).