Fastening clip with flexible tether

Abstract

A fastening clip with a flexible tether for use with a vehicle includes a first fastener attached to a component such as a vehicle body, and a second fastener attached to a removable component such as a vehicle trim panel. The first and second fasteners may be connected by generally rigid arms joined by an integral hinge and by at least one flexible tether capable of elongating and contracting. The hinged arms and tether provide multiple means to prevent the trim section from freely detaching from the vehicle body and becoming a projectile following deployment of an air bag from behind the trim panel. In addition, the rigid arms cause the trim panel to move in a controlled arc. A further aspect of the invention provides a tether that is capable of stretching to allow unimpeded air bag deployment followed by contracting to pull the trim panel back towards its original position on the vehicle body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the fastening clip of the invention, in an as-molded position prior to use.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an assembled position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the fastening clip of the invention having a tether with a different configuration and made from a different material than the other portions of the clip.

Claims

1. A fastening clip for use within a vehicle comprising: a first fastener having a first arm;a second fastener having a second arm,a hinge joining the first and second arms; andat least one flexible tether having a first end attached to the first fastener and a second end attachable to the second fastener.

2. The fastening clip of claim 1, wherein the fastening clip is integrally molded.

3. The fastening clip of claim 1, wherein the tether is comprised of a first material and the first and second fasteners are comprised of a second material.

4. The fastening clip of claim 1, wherein the first fastener includes a post.

5. The fastening clip of claim 4, wherein the second fastener includes an aperture for mating engagement with the post.

6. The fastening clip of claim 1, wherein the second fastener is configured to engage the first fastener when the hinge is in a substantially closed position.

7. The fastening clip of claim 6, wherein the tether is configured to stretch while the hinge is moved to a generally open position.

8. The fastening clip of claim 7, wherein the tether is configured to spring back following elongation.

9. A fastening clip for use in a vehicle comprising: a first fastener including a first generally rigid arm and a post;a second fastener including a second generally rigid arm and an aperture;a hinge joining the first and second fasteners; anda tether having a first end attachable to the first fastener and a second end attachable to the second fastener, the tether configured to spring back following elongation.

10. The fastening clip of claim 9, wherein the first fastener includes an attachment portion and the second fastener includes a connection portion.

11. The fastening clip of claim 9, wherein the tether is comprised of a first material and the first and second fasteners are comprised of a second material.

12. The fastening clip of claim 9, wherein the tether is not stretched when the hinge is in a substantially closed position.

13. The fastening clip of claim 12, wherein the aperture of the second fastener is configured to engage the post of the first fastener when the hinge is in a substantially closed position.

14. The fastening clip of claim 13, wherein the tether is configured to stretch while the hinge is moved to a generally open position.

15. A fastening clip for use in a vehicle comprising: a first fastener including a first arm and an attachment portion;a second fastener including a second arm, a connection portion and a slot;a hinge joining the first and second fasteners, the hinge defining an open position and a substantially closed position, wherein the second fastener is configured to attach to the first fastener when the hinge is in the substantially closed position; anda flexible tether having a first end attached to the first fastener and a second end attachable to the slot of the second fastener, the tether configured to contract to pull the first and second fasteners towards each other following elongation of the tether.

16. The fastening clip of claim 15, wherein the tether is comprised of a first material and the first and second fasteners are comprised of a second material.

17. The fastening clip of claim 15, wherein the tether is not stretched when the hinge is in the substantially closed position.

18. The fastening clip of claim 15, wherein the first fastener further comprises a post and the second fastener further comprises an aperture, the post configured to engage the aperture for attachment of the first fastener to the second fastener.

19. The fastening clip of claim 15, wherein the second fastener is configured to be detachable from the first fastener, and the separation of the first and second fasteners causes the hinge to open.

20. The fastening clip of claim 19, wherein the tether is configured to stretch while the hinge is moved to a generally open position.