Fixing system

Abstract

A fixing system for fixing a first component to a second component, wherein the first component is formed with at least one tab which can engages with at least one tongue formed on the second component, wherein the minimum of one tab is formed with at least one conical hole with which a projection, particularly a conical projection, provided on the tongue can be brought into engagement by latching therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a fixing system for fixing a first component to a second component.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In the field of automobile construction, in particular, there is frequently a need to fix individual components to one another. Examples include interior cladding sections which are to be mounted on corresponding support members of the bodywork. Another example is the exterior mounting of decorative strips on the vehicle bodywork.

[0005] It is also necessary from time to time to fix components to the radiator grille of a motor vehicle. Thus, for example, it is known to fix a so-called distance control plate or ART plate to a radiator grille within the scope of distance sensing and regulating technology (German: Abstands-Regel-Technik, ART or distance-control-technology). Previous fixing systems have used resilient steel discs which co-operate with correspondingly formed projections. A fixing system of this kind has proved to be relatively expensive to produce and unreliable. Moreover there is a relatively high number of rejects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is desirable to overcome these problems by providing a simple, cheaply produced and reliable fixing system particularly for securing motor vehicle components to one another.

[0007] The fixing system according to the invention can be produced easily and cheaply and has proved to be robust and reliable in practice. Using the system according to the invention it is possible to clip plastic components together with virtually no play and in such a way as to maintain pre-stressing. As the system merely comprises components which are to be formed on the components to be fixed to one another, no additional fixing elements are required. The system according to the invention can be produced to a very high quality as production is well controlled and can be mounted and dismantled several times. The system according to the invention provides the same operational reliability as conventional known systems while making mounting and dismantling easier.

[0008] According to a first preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, two, three, four or more tabs are formed on the first component to be secured, engaging with a corresponding number of tongues provided on the second component. By matching the number of tabs and tongues which are to engage with one another the fixing system according to the invention can easily be adapted to the size or mass of the components which are to be fixed together.

[0009] It has proved advantageous to construct the tongue as a resilient tongue, particularly of plastics. By providing resilient tongues of this kind the system according to the invention can be mounted or dismantled particularly easily.

[0010] By these measures it is advantageously possible to form the tabs and tongues integrally with the respective components. This lowers the manufacturing costs and the number of components can be reduced compared with conventional solutions. The tabs are appropriately also made of plastics.

[0011] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the fixing system according to the invention the ends of the conical projections provided on the tongues are in the form of sectors of a circle or semicircles. Such a “dome-like” configuration of the ends of the conical projections confers advantages in connection with the centring of the components which are to be fixed to one another.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the fixing system according to the invention, the first component is a radiator grille, and the second component is a plate to be fixed to the radiator grill, particularly a distance control plate. These two components can be securely fixed to one another cheaply and easily by means of the fixing system according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of radiator grille components and a distance control plate which can be fixed to one another using the fixing system according to the invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the distance control plate according to FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the radiator grille according to FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the central part of the radiator grille; and

[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] In FIG. 1, a radiator grille including a plurality of components 10, 11 and 14 is generally designated at 12. The component 10 of the radiator grille 12 is a radiator mesh while component 11 is a frame. The component 14 is a distance control plate 14, to be used within the scope of a distance regulating or control device, is to be fixed to the radiator mesh 10

[0020] It should be pointed out that it is possible to secure the components 10 and 11 to one another first and then to fix the distance control plate 14 to the radiator grille thus formed, using the system according to the invention.

[0021] However, in the interests of simplicity and by way of example, it will be assumed here that the distance control plate 14 is first fixed to the radiator mesh 10 and then the frame 11 is mounted on the components 10, 14 fixed to one another.

[0022] The distance control plate 14 is constructed with four tabs 16 which are also clearly shown in FIG. 2. The tabs 16 each have a substantially planar flat area or surface 16a extending substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the distance control plate and containing tapering conical recesses 16b. The recesses in the upper tabs 16 taper downwards while those in the lower tabs 16 taper upwards. In addition, the tabs have diagonally extending reinforcing webs 16c for supporting and reinforcing the surfaces 16a.

[0023] As can be seen especially from FIGS. 3 and 5, the radiator mesh 10 has in particular resiliently constructed plastics tongues 20 each of which has a conical spike 21. The dimensions and shape of the spikes 21 are such that they are able to be received and engaged in the recesses 16b in the tabs 16 on the distance control plate 14. Thus, the spikes 21 on the upper tongues 20 taper downwards while those on the lower tongues taper upwards.

[0024] The conical spikes 21 engage in the recesses 16b in the manner of the conical clamping principle as used in rotary engines, for example.

[0025] FIG. 5 in particular shows that the upper conical spikes 21 engage in the correspondingly conical recesses 16b from above and the lower conical spikes 21 engage therein from below. More specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, as the control plate 14 is pressed into the opening provided in radiator mesh 10, the leading edge of the flat surface 16a of the plurality of tabs 16 engages the conical spike 21 of the corresponding tongue 20 on the mesh 10. The conical shape of the spikes 21 allow s the tabs 16 to ride along the spike 21 and flex the resilient tongue 20 until the spike 21 is received in the corresponding conical recess 16b in the tab 16. The mating conical shapes of the spikes 21 and recesses 16b receive and retain the tongue 20 connected to the tab 16 and thus fixedly secure the control plate 14 to the mesh 10. The frame 11 may then be connected to the grille 12 is a similar manner of attachment.

[0026] As a result of the resilient engagement thus provided between the conical spikes 21 and the recesses 16b, the distance control plate 14 is securely fixed to the radiator grille mesh 10.

[0027] It should be pointed out that, even though it is not specifically shown, the frame 11 may also be fixed to the radiator mesh 10 by means of the fixing system according to the invention.

[0028] Both the radiator grille components 10, 11 and the distance control plate 14 are expediently made of plastics. Thus, the tongues 20 and tabs 16 which lock these components to one another can easily be made integral with the respective components. The fixing system according to the invention is beneficial, for example, in that due to the resilient locking of the plastics elements with one another, there is no material fatigue such as would occur with conventional attachments using metal brackets.

[0029] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0030] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A fixing system for fixing a first component (14) to a second component (10), wherein the first component (14) includes at least one tab (16) integrally formed on the first component (14) which can engage with at least one tongue (20) integrally formed on the second component (10), characterised in that at least one tab (16) is formed with at least one conical hole (16b) therein with which a corresponding conical projection (21), formed integrally on and projecting from the tongue (20), can be brought into mating engagement by pressing the first component against the second component such that contact between the tab and the projection flexes the tongue until the conical projection is matingly received and retained in the conical hole thereby fixing the first component to the second component.

2. A fixing system according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of tabs (16) are integrally formed on the first component (14), which are adapted to matingly engage with a corresponding number of tongues (20) integrally formed on the second component (10).

3. A fixing system according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one of said tongues (20) is constructed of plastic as a resilient tongue.

4. A fixing system according to claim 3, characterised in that at least one tab (16) is made of plastics.

5. (Cancelled)

6. A fixing system according to claim 4, characterised in that the ends of the conical projections (21) are part-spherical or hemispherical.

7. A fixing system according to claim 6, characterised in that the first component (14) is a distance control plate and the second component (10) is a component of a radiator grille to which the distance control plate is to be fixed.