Light module fastening assembly having a snap wedge assembly with ball stud and insert
AssigneeBurton Technologies, LLC
InventorJohn E. Burton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A snap wedge assembly is provided that includes a ball stud having a ball end configured for engagement with a light module, and an insert coupled with the ball stud, the insert comprising an insert first end and an insert second end, a plurality of wedges, each having wedge side surfaces and a wedge top surface that extend longitudinally from the insert first end towards the insert second end, wherein the wedge top surface tapers outward as it extends towards the ball end, and a plurality of snap fingers, the snap fingers each including an elongated flexible portion and a latching portion.
Claims21
A snap wedge assembly comprising:
- a ball stud having a ball end configured for engagement with a light module;
- and
- an insert coupled with the ball stud, the insert comprising:
- an insert first end and an insert second end;
- a plurality of wedges, each having wedge side surfaces and a wedge top surface, the plurality of wedges extending from the insert first end towards the insert second end, wherein the plurality of wedges taper to a reduced size as they extend away from the ball end;
- and
- a plurality of snap fingers, the snap fingers each including an elongated flexible portion and a latching portion.
A fastening assembly for securing a light module to a carrier bracket of a vehicle headlamp assembly, the fastening assembly comprising:
- a snap wedge assembly comprising:
- a ball stud having a ball end configured for engagement with a light module;
- and
- an insert coupled with the ball stud, the insert comprising:
- an insert first end and an insert second end;
- a plurality of wedges each having side surfaces and a top surface that extends longitudinally from the insert first end towards the insert second end;
- and
- a plurality of snap fingers, the snap fingers each including an elongated flexible portion and a latching portion;
- and
- a carrier receptacle for matingly receiving and securing the snap wedge assembly, wherein the carrier receptacle is at least one of formed integrally with or securable to a carrier bracket, the carrier receptacle comprising:
- a receptacle front wall and a receptacle rear wall;
- and
- a receptacle passage having an at least partially tapered receptacle interior surface extending between the receptacle front wall and the receptacle rear wall.
A vehicle headlight assembly comprising:
- a plurality of snap wedge assemblies, at least one of the snap wedge assemblies comprising:
- a ball stud having a ball end configured for engagement with a light module;
- and
- an insert coupled with the ball stud, the insert comprising:
- an insert first end and an insert second end;
- a plurality of wedges each having side surfaces and a top surface that extends longitudinally from the insert first end towards the insert second end, wherein the wedge top surface tapers as it extends in a direction away from the ball end;
- and
- a plurality of snap fingers, the snap fingers each including an elongated flexible portion and a latching portion;
- and
- a plurality of carrier receptacles for matingly receiving and securing the snap wedge assemblies, wherein the carrier receptacles are at least one of formed integrally with or securable to a carrier bracket, at least one of the carrier receptacles comprising:
- a receptacle front wall and a receptacle rear wall;
- and
- a receptacle passage having a tapered receptacle interior surface extending between the receptacle front wall and the receptacle rear wall, wherein the ball ends of the plurality of snap wedge assemblies are all coupled to a single light module.
A snap wedge assembly comprising:
- a ball stud having a ball end configured for engagement with a light module;
- and
- an insert integrally formed with the ball stud, the insert comprising:
- a plurality of snap fingers, the snap fingers each including an elongated flexible portion extending longitudinally away from the ball stud and terminating in a latching portion;
- and
- a plurality of wedges that taper to a reduced size as they extend in a direction away from the ball end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.