Molding
AssigneeNicholas Plastics, Inc.
InventorDonald C. Nowosiadly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molding comprising a U-shaped trim molding in which is defined a channel and from which extends a fastener comprising one or more flexible shanks. Each shank extends from the trim molding and has a lip that extends laterally outwardly and downwardly away from the channel. The shank has multiple serrations in an opposing relationship with the channel. The molding is mounted to a structural support such as a pinch weld or panel with openings of struck-out portions by inserting a portion of the structural support into the channel and seating a lower edge of a return flange of the pinch weld or an edge of the opening or struck-out portion against one of the serrations on the lip of the clip. The resiliency of the trim molding and the shank helps retain the molding to the structural support and accommodates pinch welds of different sizes.
Claims15
The combination of a structural support and a molding comprising:
- the structural support having a planar surface terminating in a top edge and having a lower connecting edge spaced below the top edge;
- and
- the molding being of one-piece construction and comprising:
- a resilient U-shaped web defining an open channel and receiving the top edge of the structural support;
- and
- a fastener retaining the molding on the structural support, the fastener comprising:
- at least one locking shank, sufficiently rigid in its entirety so that the locking shank flexes as a unit, extending downwardly from an end portion of one of the sides of the U-shaped web, the locking shank being resiliently displaceable with respect to the other of the sides of the U-shaped web, the locking shank extending laterally and downwardly away from the other of the sides of the U-shaped web at a lower portion of the locking shank to form a camming lip to guide the structural support into the open channel and past the fastener;
- and
- a locking flange extending laterally from a lower portion of the shank, seated beneath and in contact with the lower connecting edge of the structural support to retain the U-shaped web on the structural support.
The combination of a structural support and a molding comprising:
- the structural support having a planar surface terminating in a top edge and a lower connecting edge spaced below the top edge;
- the molding being integrally molded in one piece entirely of a resilient thermoplastic or thermosetting material and comprising:
- a resilient U-shaped web defining an open channel for receiving the top edge of the structural support;
- and
- a fastener retaining the molding on the structural support, the fastener comprising:
- at least one locking shank, sufficiently rigid in its entirety so that the locking shank flexes as a unit, extending downwardly from an end portion of one of the sides of the U-shaped web, the locking shank being resiliently displaceable with respect to the other of the sides of the U-shaped web;
- at least one resilient wiper flange integral with and extending outwardly and upwardly from the one side of the U-shaped web and away from the end portion thereof, the at least one resilient wiper flange being adapted to contact and resiliently wipe against a window adjacent the structural support on which the molding is mounted;
- and
- a locking flange extending laterally from a lower portion of the shank, the locking flange seating beneath and in contact with the lower connecting edge of the structural support to retain the U-shaped web on the structural support when the top edge of the structural support is received in the open channel.
The combination of a structural support and a molding of one-piece construction comprising:
- the structural support having a planar surface terminating in a top edge and a lower connecting edge spaced below the top edge;
- and
- the molding comprising:
- a U-shaped web defining an open channel receiving the top edge of the suctul support;
- and
- a fastener retaining the molding on the structural support, the fastener comprising:
- multiple support shanks extending downwardly from an end portion of one of the sides of the U-shaped web, and
- a lateral retaining surface extending across an inside face of each of the shanks and seated beneath and in contact with the lower connecting edge of the structural support to retain the U-shaped web on the structural support with the top edge of the structural support received in the open channel of the U-shaped web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.