Heat baffle clip shield

A baffle for protecting a fuel tank of a motor vehicle from heat from an exhaust chamber of the motor vehicle, comprising:

• a baffle body;
• a clip receiving portion formed in the baffle body having a generally frusto-conical shape, the clip receiving portion having a base portion recessed from a planar surface of the baffle, the clip receiving portion having a hole in the base through which a clip is inserted and an inclined wall extending from the base to the planar surface of the baffle body, the inclined wall having a first radius about an axis perpendicular to the base at the base and a second radius about the axis at the planar surface, the second radius being greater than the first radius, the inclined wall having a hole between the planar surface and clip receiving portion;
• a clip for attaching the baffle to the fuel tank body, the clip being inserted through a hole in the baffle and received by a clip receiver in the fuel tank body;
• and
• a clip shield secured to the baffle body to cover the clip, the clip shield comprising:
• a solid body having a radius substantially similar to the second radius of the clip receiving portion, a front side facing the exhaust chamber, and a rear side facing the baffle body;
• and
• a spring foot extending from the rear side of the clip shield, the spring foot having a hook distal end that is pushed radially inward by the inclined wall as the clip shield is installed, the hook distal end of the spring foot being insertable into the hole in the inclined wall of the clip receiving portion, the hook distal end flexing radially outward when installed in the hold, the hook distal end creating an interference fit with the inclined wall to prevent unintentional removal of the clip shield.

A baffle clip shield for protecting a clip attaching a baffle to a fuel tank to protect the fuel tank from heat from an exhaust chamber located near the fuel tank, a clip receiving portion formed in the baffle having a generally frusto-conical shape, the clip receiving portion having a base portion recessed from a planar surface of the baffle, the clip receiving portion having a hole in the base through which a clip is inserted, and an inclined wall extending from the base to the planar surface of the baffle, the inclined wall having a first radius about an axis perpendicular to the base at the base and a second radius about the axis at the planar surface, the second radius being greater than the first radius, the inclined wall having a hole between the planar surface and clip receiving portion, the baffle clip shield comprising:

• a solid body having a radius substantially similar to the second radius of the clip receiving portion, a front side facing the exhaust chamber, and a rear side facing the baffle;
• and
• a spring foot extending from the rear side of the clip shield, the spring foot having a hook distal end that is pushed radially inward by the inclined wall as the clip shield is installed, the hook distal end of the spring foot being insertable into the hole in the inclined wall of the clip receiving portion, the hook distal end moving radially outward when installed in the hold, the hook distal end creating an interference fit with the inclined wall to prevent unintentional removal of the clip shield.