BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a clip according to the invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a right hand side elevational view of one exemplary embodiment of the clip shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a right hand side elevational view of another exemplary embodiment of the clip shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 illustrates a left hand side elevational view of the clip shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5
a is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing secure attachment of automotive mounting surfaces in one of the attachment channels of the clip; and
FIG. 5
b shows another view of one of the attachment channels of the clip attached to the automotive mounting surfaces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a versatile clip in accordance with the invention. The clip comprises a base member 2 having an upper portion 2a and lower portion 2b arranged generally in parallel to each other and defining a top surface and a bottom surface, respectively. A male member 3 projects upwardly from the top surface 2a and, as shown, the member 3 projects perpendicularly from the upper surface 2a. First and second channels 4, 5, respectively, are formed in the base and have open ends parallel to flange members 7 and 8. The open ends of the first and second attachment channels face in opposite directions from each other.
Raised portions 6 are provided on both the right and left sides of the male member 3. The raised portions 6 are in the form of a smooth, curved, radiused surface, and the space between the upper surface 2a and the raised portions 6 defines a gap g into which a vehicular mounting surface, such as sheet metal or the like, will be grasped firmly.
As shown, common wall 10 separates the first and second channels from each other. The bottom surface of the base is depicted as 9 in FIG. 1.
The base comprises a central axis shown as line (a), projecting perpendicularly through the clip. A longitudinal axis L is also shown in perpendicular relation to central axis (a). The longitudinal axis L bisects the base into equal areas. As shown, the male member has a central axis (b), that is parallel to the central axis of the base (a) but eccentrically mounted therefrom.
It is noted that the channels 4 and 5 extend in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal axis L with the common wall member 10 being laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the channels 4, 5 are offset with regard to the longitudinal axis L of the base. Each of the channels has a different depth so that in order to enhance the versatility of the clip, the channels 4, 5 may accommodate differently dimensioned mounting structures of the vehicle. This, along with the eccentric mount of the male member 3 on the base, greatly increases the versatility of the clip as compared to conventional clips in which attachment channels may be provided in symmetrical disposition along the clip surface.
FIG. 2 clearly shows the employment of opposing flange members 7, 8 that are respectively provided in conjunction with the channels 5, 4. Here, flange 7 protrudes downwardly from the upper portion 2a of the base with flange 8 provided in the channel 4 projecting upwardly from the lower portion 2b of the base. The flanges provide narrowed constrictions along each of the channels and are accordingly useful in a friction fit of the requisite mounting surfaces in the respective channels 4, 5.
FIGS. 2 thru 4 more clearly show the offset relationship between the channels 4, 5, wherein FIGS. 2 and 4 show right and left side views of a first exemplary embodiment of the clip, and FIG. 3 shows a right side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the clip. That is, the channels 4, 5 in the clips of FIGS. 2 thru 4 are both parallel to the longitudinal axis L, but the common wall 10 separating the two channels is laterally offset from this longitudinal axis. As shown, the open faces of the respective channels 4, 5 are disposed in opposition to each other and, as shown, these open faces are disposed at 180° to each other. The distinguishing feature between the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 thru 4 lies in the positioning of the flange 8. In FIGS. 2 and 4 the flange 8 is provided on an upper side of the lower portion 2b of the base, whereas in FIG. 3 the flange 8 is provided on a lower side of the upper portion 2a of the base.
FIG. 5
a illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the clip house 20 mounting surface adapted for engagement with clip 1 according to the invention. The clip house 20 projects from an interior of the trim part 30 and as shown is integral with the trim part 30. Reinforcing ribs 25 further join the clip house 20 to the trim part 30 and provide rigidity to the clip house 20.
The upper surface 21 of the clip house 20 includes an inclined portion 22 over which the flange 8 of the first channel, for example, slides to position the clip 1 onto the clip house 20. Just beyond the raised portion 22, a recessed well 23 is provided into which the flange 8 of the first channel will rest once the clip 1 has been appropriately snap or friction fitted onto the clip house 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the clip 1 is thus mounted to the clip house 20 by sliding the clip 1 onto the clip house 20 in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 22 of the clip house 20 in order to secure the clip 1 to the clip house 20.
The inclined portion of the mounting surface is in the form of a ramp having a base section 81 and an elevated section 85 which terminates in edge portion 101. The recessed well 23 is positioned adjacent edge 101 with the edge and recessed well 23 being in generally parallel relation along the longitudinal axis or dimension of the part.
FIG. 5
b illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the clip house 20 corresponding to an exemplary clip 1 according to the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 5b the clip house 20 is joined to and extends from the interior side of the trim part 30. In this embodiment, the upper surface 21 of the clip house 20 is provided with a slot 26 through which the common wall 10 of the clip 1 longitudinally slides to position the first and second channels 4, 5 as desired on the clip house 20. The upper surface 21 is also provided with a raised portion 22 that extends to a side edge of the upper surface 21. As the clip 1 is slid into the slot 26, and thus onto the clip house 20, one flange 7 of the clip 1 engages rear edge 71 of the upper surface 21, and another flange 8 of the clip 1 seats in the well 23 just beyond the raised portion 22 of the upper surface 21. In this embodiment, the raised portion 22 extends to a side edge of the upper surface 21 of the clip house 20 in order to properly align the clip 1 as it is being slid onto the clip house 20. A web like side wall 28 joins the clip house 20 to the trim part 30. The clip house 20 of this embodiment is thus partially closed on one side and open on the other side to enable the first and second channels of the clip to slidably receive the upper surface of the clip house. Preferably, in all of the embodiments described herein, the clip house 20 is integrally molded with the trim part 30, although the artisan will appreciate that joining the clip house 20 with the trim part 30 may be achieved otherwise without compromising the features and novelties of the clip and corresponding clip house of the invention described herein.
Similar to the structure shown in FIG. 5a, the mounting surface of the clip house shown in FIG. 5b is in the form of a ramp wherein the ramp comprises a base edge portion 75 and an elevated portion 77. The elevated portion of the ramp terminates in an edge 95 that extends above the well 23 and is substantially parallel thereto along the longitudinal axis of the part. In this embodiment, the ramp is interposed between the channel 26 and the well 23.
It is then apparent in conjunction especially with FIGS. 5a and 5b that the clip and clip house combination in accordance with the invention are extremely versatile. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a, the clip is inserted via a force vector shown by the arrow in FIG. 5a which is transversely preferably normally related to the longitudinal axis of the part 30. The attachment channel and associate flange 8 of the clip are slid along the ramp 85 with the flange 8 then extending over edge 101 of the ramp and then being anchored firmly in the recessed well 23. At the same time, the flange 7 (see FIG. 1) abuts the base edge 81 of the ramp to help prevent rotation of the clip that may otherwise occur.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 5b results in a clipping action wherein the clip is inserted in its mating clip house structure by a force vector exerted in the longitudinal direction of the part as shown by the arrow. Here, the attachment channel 4 and associated flange 8 of the clip slide along the ramp with the flange 8 extending over the edge 95 of the clip house for firm securement in the recessed well 23. At the same time, the common wall 10 is snuggly received in channel 26 of the clip house and the flange 7 formed in the second channel of the clip extends under the edge portion of the clip house structure shown at 71 in FIG. 5b so as to once again, help to inhibit pivoting of the clip that may otherwise occur.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments described above, it is evident that many alternatives, combinations, modifications, and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of this invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative only, and not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.
Patent Application
20080007080
