Patent Application
20080017334
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:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a connector is shown generally for an automotive sun shade technology. The sun shade technology includes a finisher 20 (generally shown) having an inner member 22 and an outer member 24 (both generally indicated) for interlocking with each other. The inner member 22 and the outer member 24 both extend longitudinally between two ends 26.
The inner member 22 has an inner top edge 28 and an inner bottom edge 30 extending between the ends 26 thereof and presenting opposite faces. The outer member 24 presents opposite faces, one of which defines an outer surface 32, extending between an outer top edge 34 and an outer bottom edge 36. The ends 26 of the members 22, 24 are curved between the top edges 28, 34 and the bottom edges 30, 36 of the inner and outer members 22, 24.
A plurality of male posts 38 extend laterally from and are disposed between the inner edges 30, 28 of the inner member 22. A plurality of female recesses 40, disposed between the outer edges 36, 34 of the outer member 24, extend into the outer member 24 for receiving the male posts 38 of the inner member 22. In other words, the posts 38 located on the inner member 22 align with and fit into the recesses 40 of the outer member 24.
A fabric 42 is sandwiched between the inner member 22 and the outer member 24. The fabric 42 can include solid flexible material, net-like material, and any form practical for the disclosed invention for acting as a sun shade. The fabric 42 is disposed on the inner member 22 and extends from the inner top edge 28 and through the inner bottom edge 30. Accordingly, the finisher 20 holds the fabric 42 so that it extends through the bottom edges 30, 36 of the finisher 20 for covering a window. The male posts 38 are pressed into the recesses 40 to hold the fabric 42 in the recesses 40. This creates friction and allows the fabric 42 to be held in place.
A flange 44 extends laterally from the outer top edge 34 and protrudes inwardly to overlap the inner top edge 28 of the outer member 24.
The invention is characterized by a plurality of tubular projections 46 each extending laterally from the inner member 22 to a distal rim 48 and defining a passageway 50 extending from the distal rim 48 through the inner member 22. The passageway 50 in each of the projections 46 has an inner diameter C and also includes a conically shaped taper 52 having a taper diameter D at the distal rim 48. The taper diameter D tapers inwardly to the inner diameter C, creating a gradually decreasing taper diameter D from the distal rim 48 to the inner member 22. In other words, the taper 52 presents a frusto-conical female surface between the rim and the diameter C.
Each of the projections 46 defines an cylindrical exterior surface 54 which extends from the inner member 22. The exterior surface 54 has an outer diameter B. A nipple ridge 56, having a trapezoidal cross section, projects radially outwardly from the exterior surface 54 of each of the projections 46 at the distal rim 48 to a ridge diameter A. The ridge diameter A is larger than the outer diameter B of the exterior surface 54. The projections 46 and the members 22, 24 comprise a plastic material, with a glass filler in the plastic material.
The outer member 24 defines a plurality of circular holes 58, which have a hole diameter E for receiving the projections 46 and maintaining the members 22, 24 in a clamping engagement with the fabric 42. The exterior surface 54 of each of the projections 46 and the nipple ridge 56 are devoid of a parting line, i.e., a smooth surface within small and consistent tolerances, allowing for a tight and secure connection with the holes 58 of the outer member 24.
The inner member 22 includes a circular trough 60 disposed about and extending radially from each of the cylindrical exterior surfaces 32, 54 of the projections 46. The outer member 24 includes a recessed shelf 62 disposed about and extending radially from each of the holes 58 on the outer member 24. This shelf 62 receives the nipple ridges 56 of the projections 46 and retains the projections 46 in the holes 58.
This is accomplished in part by the ridge diameter A being greater than the hole diameter E. The taper 52 also allows for the nipple ridge 56 to be pressed through the hole 58 and expand into the recessed shelf 62 with the distal rim 48 of the projection 46 disposed flush with the outer surface 32 of the outer member 24. Although not necessary to the invention, the taper 52 aids the nipple ridge 56 in being pressed through the hole 58. A plug 64 is then disposed in the passageway 50 of each of the projections 46 to close the circular holes 58 flush with the outer surface 32, thus creating a smooth outer surface 32.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. That which is prior art in the claims precedes the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to an antecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in the coverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meant to be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.
This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/832,879 filed Jul. 24, 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60832879 | Jul 2006 | US |
