Sealer tape and clip assembly

Abstract

A sealer tape and clip assembly in accordance with the present invention is adapted to be disposed in a recess, defined by at least one interior surface. The assembly includes a sealer tape member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposed side surfaces. An aperture extends through the upper surface and the lower surface, and is disposed between but does not extend through the opposed side surfaces. A clip body includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The intermediate portion of the clip body is disposed in the aperture, the upper portion of the clip body engages the upper surface of the sealer tape member, and the lower portion of the clip body engages the lower surface of the sealer tape member. The sealer tape member sealingly bonds with the interior surface of the recess to secure the assembly in the recess.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to molding assemblies and the like and, in particular, to a sealer tape and clip assembly. [0002] Moldings, which are placed in a recess such as a recess between adjoining body panels in an automobile body, are well known. Moldings are utilized for minimizing water and / or foreign object intrusion into the recess as well as for the aesthetic purpose of covering the recess from the customer's view in the final product. [0003] Typically, moldings are attached to the automobile body by a clip assembly or the like disposed in the recess. One type of prior art clip assembly uses a one-piece plastic clip and structural adhesive tape assembly, installed on top of a pumpable flow sealer in the recess. The pumpable flow sealer, which prevents water leakage at the weld joint, is applied manually to the recess prior to the installation of the clip assembly. The heat cycle during the paint process activates the structural...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The clip assembly in accordance with the present invention advantageously combines the sealer tape member and clip body in a single assembly. The clip body embeds into the sealer tape member before installation. The clip body may also include a self-centering feature for cross car positioning to avoid the use of a fixture. The resulting one-piece assembly may be advantageously installed in a single-step process. Through the heat cycle of the painting process, the sealer tape melts and embeds the clip body, creating a structural bond between the clip body, the sealer tape and the base material of the recess. This structural bond eliminates the use of the separate structural adhesive tape or double-sided tape used in the prior art processes. The clip body provides a mechanical fastener for the molding member to enclose the recess. The clip assembly in accordance with the present invention combines the two-step process into one by creating the one-piece assembly. The clip assembly eliminates the use of a structural adhesive tape since the overlap bond of the sealer tape member and the clip body replaces the function of the structural adhesive tape, which reduces the cost of the clip assembly.

Problems solved by technology

Each of the above-mentioned prior art clip assemblies disadvantageously require a two-step process because the sealant and the clip assembly are installed separately.

Images