Modular headliner assembly
AssigneeUnited Technologies Automotive, Inc.
InventorsJames D. Dowd, Darrel Hampton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular headliner assembly for use with motor vehicle includes a substrate, sunshade assemblies and fasteners for securing the modular headliner to motor vehicle body structure. Snap-in fasteners are provided for allowing the modular headliner to be mounted to the motor vehicle. A method of assembly including the steps of locating the modular headliner with extending fasteners relative to openings in the body structure and displacing the fasteners into the openings to secure the headliner to the body structure.
Claims34
A snap-in modular headliner assembly for use with a motor vehicle which comprises:
- a headliner substrate formed to fit within the interior of the motor vehicle;
- a first sunshade assembly;
- a second sunshade assembly;
- a first sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate and including means for securing the first sunshade thereto and first snap-in fastener means extending therefrom;
- a second sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate and including means for securing the second sunshade thereto and second snap-in fastener means extending therefrom;
- and
- snap-in fastener receiving means in the motor vehicle for receiving said second snap-in fastener means.
A modular headliner assembly which may be mounted within a motor vehicle as a single module which comprises:
- a substrate formed to fit within the desired space within the motor vehicle, said substrate including a decorative surface facing the interior of the vehicle and a non-show surface;
- a first sunshade affixed to the substrate and positioned to serve as the front seat driver side sunshade when the headliner assembly is mounted to the vehicle;
- a second sunshade affixed to the substrate and positioned to serve as the front seat passenger side sunshade when the headliner assembly is mounted to the vehicle;
- and
- first means associated with each sunshade for engaging the vehicle for holding the substrate in position;
- and
- second means on the vehicle for receiving said first means.
A modular headliner assembly which may be installed as a single unit within a motor vehicle wherein the motor vehicle includes a body structure having at least one member which defines fastener receiving openings which comprises:
- a substrate formed to fit within the desired space within the motor vehicle adjacent the body structure wherein the fastener receiving openings are located, said substrate having a decorative surface exposed to the occupants of the motor vehicle after the headliner assembly is assembled to the motor vehicle and a non-show surface facing the body structure wherein the fastener receiving openings are located;
- and
- snap-fit fastener means mounted to the substrate and including snap-fit fastener projecting portions sized and positioned to mate with the fastener receiving openings upon assembly of the headliner assembly to the motor vehicle.
A method of mounting a modular headliner assembly including a substrate having snap-fit fastener means mounted thereto which includes snap-fit fastener projecting portions, a partially assembled motor vehicle including a body structure having at least one member which defines fastener receiving openings said motor vehicle also having large window openings, which comprises the steps of:
- aligning the modular headliner assembly with a large window opening of the motor vehicle;
- inserting the modular headliner assembly through the large window opening;
- aligning the snap-fit projecting portions of the modular headliner assembly with the fastener receiving openings of the body structure;
- and
- displacing the projecting portions of the headliner assembly into the receiving openings of the body structure to secure the modular headliner assembly to the body structure.
A method of mounting a modular headliner assembly including a first sunshade fastener having a snap-fit portion, a second sunshade fastener having a snap-fit portion and an accessory having a snap-fit portion to a partially assembled motor vehicle including a body structure defining fastener receiving openings and a large window opening which comprises the steps of:
- inserting the modular headliner assembly through the large window opening and aligning the various snap-fit portions with the appropriate fastener receiving openings;
- snapping the snap-fit fastener of the first sunshade fastener into the assembled position;
- snapping the snap-fit fastener of the second sunshade fastener into the assembled portion;
- and
- snapping the snap-fit portion of the accessory into the assembled position whereby the headliner assembly is retained at its desired position relative to the body structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.