Spring steel door hold-open tool
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorsDaniel T Webster, Brian W Kao, James R Carter, Brian A Hicks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring clip for releasably holding the door of a vehicle in an ajar position is provided. The spring clip is adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle body during the manufacturing process. The spring clip is comprised of a base member and a spring finger. The base member includes a pillar tab having a retainer that affixes the spring clip to the body of the vehicle. The door tab of the base member is adapted to slide into an opening in the door. The spring finger is coupled to a base opening that is defined by the base member. The spring finger extends in a cantilever fashion from the base opening into engagement with the vehicle door such that the door is held ajar.
Claims15
A spring clip adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle body for releasably holding a vehicle door that defines a door opening in an ajar position, the spring clip comprising:
- a base member including a pillar tab and a door tab at either end, the base member defining a base opening having two sides;
- a spring finger coupled to a side of the base opening and extending in cantilever fashion into engagement with the vehicle door for holding the door ajar;
- the pillar tab having a retainer for affixing the spring clip to the vehicle body;
- and
- the door tab being adapted to slide into the door opening.
A spring clip adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle body for releasably holding a vehicle door in an ajar position, the spring clip comprising:
- a base member having a body tab and a pillar tab and including a deflection guide, the base member defining a base opening having a pillar tab side and a door tab side;
- a spring finger coupled to the pillar tab side of the base opening, the spring arm including a first engaging portion for engaging the door opening and a guide arm engaging the deflection guide for deflecting the spring arm in response to movement of the door towards a closed position such that the first engaging portion passes through the door opening
- the pillar tab having a retainer for affixing the spring clip to the vehicle body, the pillar tab further defines a flex opening for permitting flexure of the pillar tab;
- and
- the door tab being adapted to slide into the door opening;
- wherein, movement of the door towards a closed position causes the door tab of the base member to extend into the door opening such that the door engages the first engaging portion of the spring arm resulting in the guide arm moving along the deflection guide, whereby the spring arm deflects so that the first engaging portion passes through the door opening.
A spring clip adapted to be removably attached to a vehicle body for releasably holding a vehicle door in an ajar position, the spring clip comprising:
- a base member made of resiliently yieldable material having a pillar tab and a door tab, the base member defining a base opening having a pillar tab side and a door tab side;
- a spring finger including a coupling portion coupled to the pillar tab side of the base opening, a first engaging portion extending from the coupling portion for engaging the door opening, wherein the spring arm in response to movement of the door towards a closed position flexes such that the first engaging portion passes through the door opening;
- the pillar tab having a retainer for affixing the spring clip to the vehicle body, the pillar tab further defines a flex opening for permitting flexure of the pillar tab;
- and
- the door tab being adapted to slide into the door opening;
- wherein, movement of the door towards a closed position causes the door tab of the base member to extend into the door opening such that the door engages the first engaging portion of the spring arm causing the spring arm to flex such that the first engaging portion passes through the door opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.