TUBE AND METHOD FOR INSTALLATION ON A VEHICLE

Abstract

Grommet for a wiring gland, comprising an expandable body configured in a ring of a first size and expandable to a ring of a second size larger than the ring of the first size, a lip extending around the expandable body and configured to engage a wiring gland for the passage of one or more wires, and one or more snap locks for locking the expandable body in the expanded configuration arranged within the wiring gland on a vehicle.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to grommets for lining a passage for passing a wire or cable, and more particularly relates to a grommet that is easily installable in a wiring passage, particularly on a vehicle. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with wires or cables routed through the vehicle and extending through passages. To protect the wire, a grooved rubber grommet or a snap-in plastic grommet is typically inserted into the passage to prevent wear on the wires. It would be desirable to provide a grommet that is easily installed in a wiring passage to protect the wires, especially on a vehicle. SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a grommet ring for a wiring passage includes an expandable body configured in a first size ring and expandable to a second size ring larger than the first size ring, a lip extending around the expandable body and configured to engage a wiring passage for passing one or more wires therethrough, and one or more snap locks for locking the body in the second size ring disposed within the wiring passage.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the expandable body includes an injection-molded part; - the expandable body contains a polymer material, - the one or more snap locks comprise a plurality of snap locks; - the plurality of snap locks includes a first snap lock and a second snap lock; - the first and second snap locks each include a tooth which engages an edge in a locked position; - the lip includes an inner lip and an outer lip configured to engage an inner and an outer surface proximate the wiring passage; - the grommet ring also includes one or more anti-rattle tabs; - the expandable body has a dimension that is smaller than a dimension of the wiring passage; - the expandable body includes a first section, a second section and a hinge coupling the first section to the second section; and / or - the hinge bends to allow the body to move between the first size ring and the second size ring.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a wire, a wiring passage, and a grommet ring including an expandable body configured in a first size ring and expandable to a second size ring larger than the first size ring, a lip extending around the expandable body and configured to engage a wiring passage for passing wires therethrough, and one or more snap locks for locking the expandable body in the second size expanded ring disposed within the wiring passage, and a central opening, with the wire extending through the central opening.

[0006] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may further include the following features: - the wiring passage is located in a metal sheet and the grommet ring is made of a polymer; - the expandable body comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge coupling the first portion to the second portion, and wherein the hinge further flexes to allow the expandable body to move between the ring of the first size and the ring of the second size; and - a plurality of snap locks comprising a first snap lock and a second snap lock.

[0007] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes the steps of providing a grommet having an expandable body configured in a first size ring and expandable to a second size ring larger than the first size ring. A lip extends around the expandable body and is configured to engage a wiring passage for passing one or more wires. One or more snap locks are provided for locking the body in the second size ring disposed within the wiring hole. The grommet ring is inserted into a wiring passage in the vehicle, and the size of the grommet ring is expanded with one or more snap locks.

[0008] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may further include the following features: - Pressing one or more buttons to expand the expandable body from the first size ring to the second size extended ring; - Passing a wire or cable through a central opening in the grommet; - forming the spout as a one-piece part; and - the grommet is made of a polymer material.

[0009] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be better understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The following applies in the drawings: Fig. 1 is a rear view of a motor vehicle in the form of a pickup truck having a grommet located in a lower wall beneath the bed of the pickup truck; Fig. 1A is an enlarged view of an area IA from Fig. 1, which illustrates the spout in more detail; Fig. Figure 2 is a first perspective view of the bottom wall illustrating the wiring passage with the grommet before assembly; Fig. 3A is a first perspective view of the aperture in the bottom wall with the grommet inserted into the aperture during assembly; Fig. Figure 3B is a new perspective view of the grommet being inserted into the aperture in the bottom wall during assembly; Fig. 4A is a front perspective view of the grommet fully mounted in the passage in the bottom wall; Fig. Figure 4B is a rear perspective view of the grommet fully inserted into the aperture; Fig. 5A is a front perspective view of the grommet fully mounted in the passage with a wire cable having wires extending therethrough; Fig. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view through the line VB-VB in Fig. 5A, which illustrates in more detail the grommet fully mounted in the passage; Fig. Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view through the line VC-VC in Fig. 5A, which illustrates in more detail the grommet fully mounted in the passage; Fig. 6A is a front perspective view of the grommet in a bent configuration providing a ring of a first size, prior to assembly; Fig. 6B is a side view of the Fig. 6A shown grommet in the bent configuration; Fig. 6C is a perspective rear view of the Fig. 6A in the bent, folded configuration; Fig. 7A is a front perspective view of the grommet in an extended snap-fit ​​configuration providing a second size large ring; Fig. 7B is a side view of the Fig. 7A shown grommet in the extended configuration; and Fig. 7C is a rear view of the Fig. 7A shown grommet in the extended configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to designate the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale, and certain components are enlarged relative to other components for emphasis and clarity.

[0012] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures do not necessarily depict a detailed embodiment; some schematic representations may be exaggerated or reduced to show a functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0013] For the purposes of description in this document, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “back”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics are not to be considered limiting of the embodiments disclosed herein unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0014] The presently illustrated embodiments primarily consist of combinations of method steps and device components related to a grommet for a wiring passage and a method for installing the grommet on a vehicle. Accordingly, the device components and method steps have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols where appropriate, with only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure being shown, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description. Furthermore, like reference numerals represent like elements in the description and the drawings.

[0015] In the present context, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more elements, means that any of the listed elements may be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0016] In this specification, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used merely to distinguish one entity or act from another entity or act, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or acts. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or device comprising an enumeration of elements not only includes those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, method, article, or device. An element that "comprises a...’ does not exclude, without further limitation, the presence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or device incorporating that element.

[0017] As used herein, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or greater or lesser if desired, and may reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement errors, and the like, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe a value or range endpoint, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or range endpoint referenced. Regardless of whether a numerical value or range endpoint includes "about" in the description, the numerical value or range endpoint is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one unmodified by "about."It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both relative to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0018] The terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof, as used herein, are intended to indicate that a described characteristic is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean that a surface is flat or approximately flat. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal to or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may refer to values ​​within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "the," "the," "a," or "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and are not intended to be limited to "only one" unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0020] Related to Fig. 1, a wheeled automobile or motor vehicle 10 is generally illustrated, according to one example, as being configured with a grommet 24 mounted in a wiring passage. The motor vehicle 10 is depicted as a pickup truck in the illustrated example. However, it is understood that the motor vehicle 10 may include other motor vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles, sedans, buses, and other wheeled vehicles. Further, it is understood that the motor vehicle 10 may include other types of vehicles, such as boats, airplanes, helicopters, and other transportation vehicles.

[0021] The motor vehicle 10 includes a plurality of wheel and tire assemblies 14 and a vehicle body 12 that generally defines an interior cabin of the vehicle and includes a pickup truck bed 16 located generally rearward of the interior cabin toward the rear end of the motor vehicle 10. The pickup truck bed 16 includes a tailgate 18 at the rear end thereof. The tailgate 18 provides a pivotable door closure for the pickup truck bed 16 such that the tailgate 18, when oriented in the upright vertical position, defines a rear wall of the pickup truck bed 16, and the tailgate 18, when rotated downward to a horizontal position, exposes an opening in the rear end of the pickup truck bed 16.The tailgate 18 may pivot about a horizontal axis at or near a lower end about a pair of hinges on opposite lateral sides to rotate the tailgate 18 between the open and closed positions, and may include a latch to lock the tailgate 18 in the upright closed position.

[0022] The motor vehicle 10 further includes a lower wall 20, which is shown located at the rear end of the motor vehicle 10, generally below the pickup truck bed 16. The lower wall 20 is generally a vertical wall formed from sheet metal, such as steel or aluminum, and includes a wiring passage 22 formed therein for passing one or more wires, such as wires provided in a cable, through the wiring passage 22. The wiring passage 22 may be oblong or circular with one edge that is rounded. The wiring passage 22 advantageously includes a grommet 24 that protects the wire or wires from contact with the edge of the wiring passage 22 in the lower metal wall 20, particularly when subjected to movement or vibration.It will be understood that the bottom wall 20 may be made of metal and that the grommet 24 may be made of a polymeric material to protect the wire or wires from the edge of the wiring passage 22 formed in the metal wall.

[0023] The nozzle 24 is in the Fig. 1A to 2-7C according to one embodiment. The grommet 24 is a one-piece molded single part generally comprising an expandable annular body with a central opening. The grommet 24 may be made, for example, from a polymeric material, such as plastic. The grommet 24 may be molded from plastic into a curved configuration, such as by overmolding. This provides a ring of a first size that is flexible and extendable to be pushed into a snap-in, extended use position that provides a larger ring of a second size when inserted into the wiring passage 22 in the bottom wall 20 during assembly. As in the example in Fig. 2, the wiring passage 22 in the lower wall 20 has a generally elongated or oval shaped outer periphery with a width W h and a height H hThe grommet 24 has, as shown in FIG . 1A, a total width W g and a height H g on . The grommet 24 in the bent position represents the ring of the first size with a width W g which is smaller than the width W n of the wiring passage 22. The grommet 24 has a height H g which is smaller than the height H n of the wiring passage 22. The grommet 24 can be easily inserted within the wiring passage 22 during installation. When the grommet 24 is expanded in the width direction and snapped into a flat mounted configuration extending into the larger ring of the second size, the grommet 24 has a width W g which is approximately equal to the width W h of the wiring passage 22 and has a height H g which is smaller than the height H hof the passage 22. The grommet 24 is generally annular with a central opening 75 for receiving wires or cables passing therethrough.

[0024] Related to Fig. 2, the grommet 24 is illustrated in the bent configuration, comprising a bent body with a first portion 26 at one end and a second portion 28 at the opposite end, and a hinge 30 provided to extend between the first portion 26 and the second portion 28. The hinge 30 is a bent portion that is flexible and allows the first and second portions 26 to flex between the illustrated bent position and an extended, generally flat position. The hinge 30 may be a hinge made of a constant thickness plastic structure or a living hinge with a normally bent configuration, and upon application of force to flatten the grommet 24, the hinge 30 flexes to allow the shape change to the flat shape. The first portion 26 and the second portion 28 have a thicker reinforced support structure.

[0025] As in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, the grommet 24 in the bent configuration can be inserted into the wiring passage 22 such that the front side of the grommet 24, as shown in Fig. 3A, extends on the front side against the peripheral edge of the wiring passage 22 and the back of the grommet 24, as shown in Fig. 3B, extends behind the wiring passage 22. To fully expand the grommet 24 into the extended use configuration, a user can exert force to depress the snaps 36 at the rear end to cause the central portion of the grommet ring 24 to extend forward into the extended planar configuration that extends across the width of the wiring passage 22. The grommet 24 has an outer lip 32, as shown in Fig. 4A, extending radially from the wiring passage 22, and an inner lip 34, as shown in Fig. 4B, which engages the wiring passage 22 on the inside of the grommet 24. The inner lip 34 and the outer lip 32 are separated by and define an engagement channel 35 therebetween, which can engage the inner and outer edges of the wiring passage 22 at opposite ends to snugly engage the wiring passage 22 in the fully installed position.

[0026] The grommet 24 can be mounted into the wiring passage 22 by inserting the grommet 24 in the bent configuration from the back to the front into and through the wiring passage 22 until the outer lip 32 engages and extends beyond at least a portion of the edge defining the wiring passage 22. A user can then forcefully press on the two snaps 36 at the proximal end while pushing forward to cause the hinge 30 to flatten and the first and second sections 26 and 28 to expand to the larger ring of the second size and fill the width of the wiring passage 22. The snaps 36 are forcefully pressed until the snaps 36 snap into a retaining position that locks and holds the first and second sections 26 and 28 of the grommet 24 in a substantially planar, expanded configuration that is Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B. In this position, the outer lip 32 extends beyond the edge defining the ends of the wiring passage 22, and the inner lip 34 on the opposite side of the wall extends beyond the ends of the edge of the wiring passage 22. In doing so, the grommet 24 is extended into a position in which the opposite ends of the wiring passage 22 are engaged and compressed sufficiently to prevent or reduce movement and rattling of the grommet 24. As shown in the Fig. 5A-5C, the ends along the width of the grommet 24 fill the wiring passage 22, whereas the height H nof the wiring passage 22 has a gap G between the wiring passage 22 and the grommet 24. The gap G allows the grommet 24 to extend into the wiring passage 22 before the grommet 24 is expanded from the first size ring to the second size ring during assembly.

[0027] Also shown is a cable 70 having wires 72 extending through the opening 75 in the grommet 24. The cable 70 may extend further into the tailgate and route through other areas of the vehicle, according to one example. The cable 70 may include one or more wires 72, which are shown to have a common protective jacket. The cable 70 may be used to supply electrical power and / or communication signals.

[0028] Additionally, the grommet 24 includes a pair of anti-rattle tabs 50 formed at opposite ends across the width of the grommet 24. The anti-rattle tabs 50 may include plastic springs that provide spring bias to ensure a biasing force engagement of the grommet 24 within the opposite ends of the wiring passage 22. In doing so, the anti-rattle tabs 50 may flex while still maintaining a tight connection of the grommet 24 within the wiring passage 22.

[0029] With particular reference to the Fig. 6A-6C, the snaps 36 are each shown having a leg 38 leading to a tooth 40. The tooth 40 is aligned with a retaining edge 42 such that when the snaps 36 are pressed to change the shape and expand the grommet ring 24 from the bent configuration to a planar expanded configuration, the tooth 40 engages the retaining edge 42 to lock the first portion 26 into engagement with the second portion 28 in the planar expanded configuration. It should be understood that once the grommet 24 is snapped into the expanded position, it remains in a substantially planar, expanded-size ring configuration mounted within the wiring passage 22.It will be further understood that the grommet 24 may be disassembled from the wiring passage 22 by forcing the tooth 40 out of engagement with the retaining edge 42 to allow the grommet ring 24 to return to the bent configuration in which it may be removed from the wiring passage 22.

[0030] Related to the Fig. 7A-7C, the grommet 24 is further illustrated in its assembled, substantially flat, extended configuration. In this configuration, the grommet 24 may be snapped within the wiring passage 22. One or more wires or cables may be routed through the central opening 75 in the grommet 24. The grommet 24, in the fully assembled position, presents a cosmetically smooth surface on the vehicle exterior.

[0031] The grommet 24 is advantageously easily installable in a wiring passage 22 on a motor vehicle 10 to protect the wires, such as cables, routed through the passage. It is understood that the motor vehicle 10 may be equipped with one or more grommets 24 in wiring passages 22 at various locations on the motor vehicle 10.

[0032] It is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the foregoing structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it is further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0033] According to the present invention, there is provided a grommet for a wiring passage, the grommet comprising: an expandable body configured in a first size ring and expandable to a second size ring larger than the first size ring; a lip extending around the expandable body and configured to engage the wiring passage for passage of one or more wires; and one or more snap locks for locking the expandable body in the second size ring disposed within the wiring passage.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the expandable body comprises an injection-molded part.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the expandable body comprises a polymer material.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the one or more snap locks comprise a plurality of snap locks.

[0037] According to one embodiment, a plurality of snap locks comprises a first snap lock and a second snap lock.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the first and second snap locks each comprise a tooth that engages an edge in a locked position.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the lip comprises an inner lip and an outer lip configured to engage an inner and an outer surface proximate the wiring passage.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by one or more anti-rattle tabs.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the expandable body has a dimension that is smaller than a dimension of the wiring passage.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the expandable body comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge coupling the first portion to the second portion.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the hinge flexes to allow the expandable body to move between the ring of the first size and the ring of the second size.

[0044] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising: a wire; a wiring passage; and a grommet comprising: an expandable body configured in a first size ring and expandable to a second size ring larger than the first size ring; a lip extending around the expandable body and engaging the wiring passage; one or more snap locks for locking the expandable body in the second size expanded ring disposed within the wiring passage; and a central opening, wherein the wire extends through the central opening.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the wiring passage is located in a metal sheet and the grommet is made of a polymer.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the expandable body comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge coupling the first portion to the second portion, and wherein the hinge further flexes to allow the expandable body to move between the first size ring and the second size ring.

[0047] According to one embodiment, a plurality of snap locks comprises a first snap lock and a second snap lock.

[0048] According to the present invention, a method for installing a grommet in a wiring passage on a vehicle includes the steps of: providing the grommet having an expandable body configured in a first size ring and expandable to a second size ring larger than the first size ring, and a lip extending around the expandable body and configured to engage the wiring passage for passage of one or more wires, and further including one or more snap locks for locking the expandable body in the second size ring; inserting the grommet with the first size ring into the wiring passage in the vehicle; and expanding the size of the grommet ring inside the wiring passage to the second size ring;Locking the grommet in the second ring of the second size with one or more snap locks.;

[0049] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes pressing one or more buttons to expand the expandable body from the first size ring to the second size expanded ring.

[0050] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of passing a wire or cable through a central opening in the grommet.

[0051] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of forming the spout as a one-piece part.

[0052] In one aspect of the invention, the grommet is formed from a polymer material.

Claims

[1] Grommet for a wiring passage, the grommet comprising: an expandable body configured in a ring of a first size and expandable to a ring of a second size larger than the ring of the first size; a lip extending around the expandable body and configured to engage the wiring passage for passing one or more wires; and one or more snap locks for locking the expandable body in the second size ring disposed within the wiring passage. [2] The grommet of claim 1, wherein the expandable body comprises an injection molded part. [3] The grommet of claim 2, wherein the expandable body comprises a polymeric material. [4] The grommet of claim 1, wherein the one or more snap locks comprise a plurality of snap locks. [5] The grommet of claim 4, wherein a plurality of snap locks comprises a first snap lock and a second snap lock. [6] A grommet according to claim 5, wherein the first and second snap locks each comprise a tooth that engages an edge in a locked position. [7] The grommet of claim 1, wherein the lip comprises an inner lip and an outer lip configured to engage an inner and an outer surface proximate the wiring passage. [8] The grommet of claim 1, further comprising one or more anti-rattle tabs. [9] The grommet of claim 1, wherein the expandable body has a dimension smaller than a dimension of the wiring passage. [10] The grommet of any of claims 1-9, wherein the expandable body comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge coupling the first portion to the second portion. [11] The grommet of claim 10, wherein the hinge flexes to allow the body to move between the first size ring and the second size ring. [12] A method of installing a grommet in a wiring passage on a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: Providing the grommet having an expandable body configured in a first size ring and expandable to a second size ring larger than the first size ring, and a lip extending around the expandable body and configured to engage the wiring passage for passing one or more wires therethrough, and further including one or more snap locks for locking the expandable body in the second size ring; Inserting the grommet with the first size ring into the wiring passage in the vehicle; and Expanding the size of the grommet ring inside the wiring passage to the second size ring; locking the grommet in the second size ring with one or more snap locks. [13] The method of claim 12, further comprising pressing one or more buttons to expand the expandable body from the first size ring to the second size expanded ring. [14] The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of passing a wire or cable through a central opening in the grommet. [15] The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of forming the spout as a one-piece part.

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