Interior trim attachment apparatus for an automotive vehicle
AssigneeLear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
InventorEdward G. Curtindale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interior trim attachment apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes a fastener and a bezel secured together in a screw free manner by rotating one of the components relative to the other. An interior trim member is sandwiched between the fastener and bezel. In another aspect of the present invention, a sun visor is attached to either or both of the fastener and bezel components.
Claims18
An attachment apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a structural body panel, said apparatus comprising:
- a fastener component having a receptacle and at least one resilient leg depending from a base;
- a bezel component having a back surface and a face surface, said back surface being substantially hidden when installed and said face surface being substantially visible when installed an engagement member of said bezel component having a first section extending from said back surface and a second section depending at an offset angle from said first section;
- and
- said bezel component hiding said fastener component from view when installed in said vehicle;
- wherein said second section is inserted into said receptacle when one of said components is rotated relative to the other of said components thereby fastening said components together.
An attachment apparatus for an automotive vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- a first component having at least two snap-fit legs integrally formed with a base, at least a pair of receptacles disposed on said base;
- a second component having at least a pair of engagement members projecting from a body;
- a trim panel having a portion located between said components, said trim panel having an edge defining a hole;
- and
- a sun visor attached to at least one of said components prior to assembly of said components into the automotive vehicle;
- said second component substantially hiding said edge when installed in said vehicle;
- wherein said engagement members are attached to said receptacles by rotation of one of said components in relation to the other of said components, said first component is fastenable to the automotive vehicle in a tool free manner.
A method of assembling an automotive interior trim system, the method comprising:
- (a) stamping at least one receptacle in a fastener component;
- (b) positioning a bezel component on one side of an interior trim member;
- (c) positioning said fastener component on an opposite side of said interior trim member which is substantially hidden when installed;
- (d) securing at least one engagement member of said bezel component to said at least one receptacle of said fastener component by rotating one of said components less than 360.degree. relative to the other of said components;
- and
- (e) securing said bezel component to said fastener component and both components to said interior trim member in a substantially single motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.