Assembly for securing a functional component within a passenger compartment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastening assembly for installing a functional component (76) on a passenger compartment wall. It comprises a male anchor block (10') having a mounting face and an external peripheral wall on one side, and at least one retractable fastening lug adapted to project from said external peripheral wall on the other. It also comprises a female anchor block (58') adapted to be secured to said functional component (76) and having an open cavity with an internal peripheral wall adapted to cooperate with said external peripheral wall and at least one orifice in said internal peripheral wall. Said functional component (76) is able to be installed on said passenger compartment wall (90) by fitting said male anchor block (10) with said female attachment block (58'), while said at least one retractable lug engages in said at least one orifice. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 7.

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing assembly for a functional component in a passenger compartment

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing assembly for installing a functional component on a wall of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Known motor vehicles feature a dashboard equipped with a retractable cup holder.

[0003] This type of folding functional organ has a drawer mounted in the dashboard and it slides between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it can receive a cup in support.

[0004] Such a functional organ is certainly retractable, and it can therefore be put into operation when needed and folded away when the need disappears, but it cannot perform other functions.

[0005] Other types of functional organs are used, for example, to support a mobile phone.

[0006] Also, there are supports equipped with a fixing device allowing them to be connected to the dashboard via the fins of a ventilation opening of the motor vehicle.

[0007] The fastening elements are, for example, made of an elastomeric material that wedges between the fins. However, the fastening device at least partially obstructs the ventilation opening.

[0008] Moreover, vibrations of the dashboard can cause an unexpected separation of the fastening element and the fins.

[0009] Also, such supports are specifically adapted for holding mobile phones in a fixed position on the dashboard, but cannot be implemented for other equipment.

[0010] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a set of fixings which allow the installation of different types of functional components in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0011] In order to solve this problem, and according to a first object, a male anchor block is proposed having a surface face adapted to be fixed to said passenger compartment wall and an external peripheral wall erected relative to said surface face; a female anchor block adapted to be fixed to said functional component and having a receiving face and an open cavity opening into said receiving face, said cavity having an internal peripheral wall adapted to cooperate with said external peripheral wall of said male anchor block; at least one lug of A retractable fastener, mounted in said male anchor block or in said female anchor block, said at least one lug being adapted to project from said external or internal peripheral wall, while said internal or external peripheral wall has at least one opening. And said functional component is adapted to be installed on said passenger compartment wall by fitting said male anchor block with said female attachment block, while said at least one retractable lug retracts and then extends to engage in said at least one opening, thereby making said functional component fixed to said passenger compartment wall.

[0012] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a male anchor block permanently fixed to the passenger compartment wall in a deliberately chosen position, and a female anchor block on a functional component, so as to connect the functional component to the passenger compartment wall by enabling the male anchor block to cooperate with the female anchor block. As will be explained below, by equipping different types of functional components with the same female anchor block, these different types of functional components can be connected to the passenger compartment wall. The male anchor block then forms a relatively discreet base that can remain on the passenger compartment wall without inconveniencing the occupants.

[0013] Indeed, when the female anchor block is fitted over the male anchor block, the two anchor blocks not only engage with each other, but are also held in this position by the lug which fits into at least one opening of the female or male anchor element. Consequently, the male and female anchor elements are locked together, and the functional element is fixed to the passenger compartment wall. Conversely, the two anchor elements can be separated by retracting the lug so that it is no longer within the reach of at least one opening. One functional element can thus be easily substituted for another.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said male anchor block comprises said at least one retractable fixing lug adapted to extend in projection from said external peripheral wall, while said at least one orifice is made in said internal peripheral wall.

[0015] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said external peripheral wall is conical in shape. More specifically, the contours of the mounting face correspond to the base of the conical shape, while the apex is offset from it. Consequently, guiding the female anchor block onto the male anchor block is made easier.

[0016] Preferably, but not exclusively, said external peripheral wall is conical in shape with a square base. In this way, and as will be explained in more detail in The following description allows the functional organ to be adjusted in four distinct positions, each angularly offset by 90° from the others.

[0017] Furthermore, and advantageously, said inner peripheral wall has a complementary conical shape, so as to come into contact with said outer peripheral wall when said female attachment block is fitted over said male anchoring block. In other words, the cavity entrance at the receiving face corresponds to the base of the complementary conical shape of the inner peripheral wall, while the apex corresponds to the bottom of the cavity. Thus, thanks to the complementary conicity of the two peripheral walls, inner and outer, guidance is all the easier when the male anchoring block is fitted over the female anchoring block. Moreover, the two anchoring blocks engage perfectly with each other, outer peripheral wall against inner peripheral wall, until the retractable lug is released through the opening in the inner peripheral wall.

[0018] Furthermore, said male anchor block preferably comprises two retractable fixing lugs opposed to each other. In this way, the locking of the two anchor blocks to each other is optimal. And no play remains between the two. Consequently, the functional element is rigidly connected to the passenger compartment wall.

[0019] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said male anchor block and said female anchor block comprise at least one permanent magnet to hold said male anchor block and said female anchor block in a fixed position relative to each other.

[0020] In this way, the permanent magnet can be installed on one of the anchor blocks, while the other anchor block is made of a metallic material or includes a metallic part. Consequently, when the female anchor block is placed over the male anchor block, the two blocks attract each other and thus engage more easily.

[0021] Preferably, said male anchor block comprises a first permanent magnet, while said female anchor block comprises a second permanent magnet, the first and second magnets being adapted to attract each other when said male anchor block is capped by said female anchor block. In this way, the attraction of the anchor blocks towards each other is increased.

[0022] The magnets are permanent and consequently, apart from the adjustment phase, the two anchoring blocks remain attracted to each other and the functional element is thus perfectly attached to the wall of the passenger compartment.

[0023] According to a first embodiment of the invention, said male anchor block further comprises a layer of adhesive on said mounting face. In this way, the male anchor block, or base plate, can be easily and permanently fixed to the passenger compartment wall. Preferably, the adhesive layer is film-coated so as to preserve its adhesive power until the male anchor block is put in place.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the invention, said male anchor block further comprises hooking tabs extending from said mounting face. For example, the male anchor block comprises two hooking tabs. Each tab has a shank and a curved end. These tabs are then engaged respectively through two holes drilled in the passenger compartment wall, while the hooks engage with the rear of the wall. The male anchor block is thus held in a fixed position against the passenger compartment wall.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the fastening assembly according to the invention further comprises at least one hook adapted to be secured to said passenger compartment wall and at a distance from said male anchor block, while said functional member comprises an S-shaped piece having a first end connected to said female anchor block and a second opposite end forming a hook.

[0026] Thus, and as will be explained in more detail later in the description, the male anchor block is preferably installed vertically opposite said at least one hook so that the S-shaped piece can be installed with its second end, forming a hook, curved towards said at least one hook. In this way, it is possible to install a tablet or a laptop computer in said at least one hook and the second end of the S-shaped piece.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig.1] is a schematic top view of an element of the fastening assembly according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a schematic right-sectional view of the object in [Fig.1] along the plane II - II;

[0030] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the object of [Fig.2] cooperating with another element of the fastening assembly according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.4] is a schematic right-sectional view of yet another element of the fastening assembly according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig.5] is a schematic right-sectional view of said yet another element cooperating with the object of [Fig.3];

[0033] [Fig.5bis] is a schematic right-section view of the objects of [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] according to another embodiment and cooperating with each other;

[0034] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig.4] cooperating with one piece ;

[0035] [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig.6] adapted to cooperate with the object of the [Fig.3];

[0036] [Fig.8] is a schematic detail view in right section of the object in [Fig.7]; and,

[0037] [Fig.9] is a schematic right-sectional view of the object in [Fig.2] according to another method of implementation.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows, viewed from above, a male anchor block 10, of truncated conical shape and having a square base 12 opposite a vertex 14. Also, the male anchor block 10 has an external peripheral wall 16 erected between the square base 12 and the vertex 14 and looped back on itself.

[0039] The outer peripheral wall 16 has two first opposite faces 18, 20 from which two retractable lugs 22, 24 extend in projection.

[0040] We thus find on [Fig.2], the male anchor block 10 seen in section, the square base 12 above the top 14. We also find the two retractable lugs 22, 24 opposed to each other and extending respectively in projection from the first two opposite faces 18, 20.

[0041] Figure 2 shows two coaxial housings 26, 28 within which the retractable lugs 22, 24 are respectively partially engaged. Each of the housings 26, 28 has a collar 30 defining an internal shoulder 32. And each of the lugs 22, 24 has a collar 34 located at the rear and allowing them to be trapped inside the housings 26, 28. In addition, each of the housings 26, 28 includes a return spring 36 allowing the lugs 22, 24 to be pushed outwards until the collar 34 comes to rest against the internal shoulder 32.

[0042] The male anchor block 10 as illustrated in [Fig.2] also has an application face 38. According to a first embodiment, two hooking tabs 40, 42, each having a rod 44 and a free hook end 46, extend from the application face 38.

[0043] Moreover, the male anchor block 10 has, under its top 14, a first permanent magnet 45 whose function will be explained below.

[0044] Reference will be made to [Fig. 3] showing the male anchor block 10 surface-mounted against a portion of the passenger compartment wall 48 of a motor vehicle not shown. The passenger compartment wall portion 48 has a front face 50 opposite a rear face 52 and two holes 54, 56 spaced apart by a distance equivalent to the distance separating the two hooking tabs 40, 42 of the male anchor block 10. Thus, the two hooking tabs 40, 42 are engaged respectively through the two holes 54, 56, while their free hook end 46 engages in the rear face 52, while the surface face 38 of the male anchor block 10 bears against the front face 50 of the passenger compartment wall portion 48.

[0045] In this way, the male anchor block 10 is held in a fixed position against the portion of the passenger compartment wall 48.

[0046] Reference will now be made to [Fig.4] illustrating a female anchor block 58 adapted to cooperate with the male anchor block 10.

[0047] Thus, the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped female anchor block 58 has a receiving face 60 opposite a connecting face 62. It also has an open cavity 64 that opens into the receiving face 60. The open cavity 64 has a conical internal peripheral wall 66, which is complementary to the conical external peripheral wall 16 of the male anchor block 10. In other words, the internal peripheral wall 66 has a square base and extends from a bottom 68 corresponding to the top to an opening 70 corresponding to the base.

[0048] In addition, the female anchor block 58 has two orifices 72, 74 opposite each other, substantially coaxial, and made in the inner peripheral wall 66 of the open cavity 64. The two opposite orifices 72, 74 are made in a median area of ​​two opposite faces of the inner peripheral wall 66.

[0049] In addition, the female anchor block 58 includes a second permanent magnet 75 installed under the bottom 68 of the cavity 64.

[0050] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.5], the female anchor block 58 is adapted to be attached to the male anchor block 10 and to be fitted over it to be joined to it, as will be explained below.

[0051] First, the female anchor block 58 is oriented so that, on the one hand, the cavity 64 is opposite the male block 10 and, on the other hand, the two opposite orifices 72, 74 can coincide with the two lugs 22, 24. Then the female anchor block 58 is forced onto the male anchor block 10.

[0052] The two opposing lugs 22, 24 first bear against the two opposing walls of the internal peripheral wall 66, which respectively form a ramp and cause the lugs 22, 24 to retract as they are pushed in.

[0053] As the insertion continues, the two permanent magnets 45, 75 attract each other, so that the bottom 68 of the open cavity 64 comes to rest flat against the top 14 of the male anchor block 10, while the inner peripheral wall 66 comes into contact with the outer peripheral wall 16 of the male anchor block 10. Thanks to the conicity of the two peripheral walls 16, 66, a wedging effect is obtained, which is favorable to immobilizing the female anchor block 58 relative to the male anchor block 10. Simultaneously, the two lugs 22, 24, repelled respectively by their return springs 36, then automatically extend into the two opposing openings 72, 74. Furthermore, the receiving face 60 also comes to rest flat against the front face 50 around the male anchor block. 10.

[0054] Thus, thanks to the two lugs 22, 24 engaged inside respectively the two opposite orifices 72, 74 the female anchor block 58 is locked in a fixed position on the male anchor block 10.

[0055] The unlocking of the female anchor block 58 can only be achieved by pushing the two lugs 22, 24 respectively inwards into their housing 26, 28. Such a possibility is offered, for example, by providing a light opening outwards in the two opposite orifices 72, 74. It is then possible to engage a tool through these lights to push back the lugs 22, 24 and thus ensure the unlocking.

[0056] Thus, the male anchor block 10 can be permanently installed against a portion of the passenger compartment wall, and the female anchor block 58 can be attached to it to be totally fixed to it.

[0057] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5bis], which includes the elements shown in [Fig. 5] having the same function with the same reference numeral designated by a prime sign "'", the female anchor block 58' is attached to the male anchor block 10' and is fitted over it to be fixed to it. In this alternative embodiment, the two opposing openings 72', 74' are provided in the outer peripheral wall 16' of the male anchor block 10', while the two retractable tabs 22', 24' are mounted in the female anchor block 58' and extend outward from the inner peripheral wall 66'. Furthermore, the return springs 36' allow the tabs 22', 24' to be pushed back into the two opposing openings 72', 74'.

[0058] In addition, each of the retractable lugs 22', 24' is equipped with a tilting cup 71, while the female anchor block 58' is equipped with two push rods 73 extending respectively from the tilting cups 71 to the outside of the anchor block 58', along the axis of translation of the retractable lugs 22', 24'. Thus, by pushing the push rods 73 towards the inside of the anchor block 58', the tilting cups 71 are caused to tilt and the retractable lugs 22', 24' to retract in order to detach the female anchor block 58' from the male anchor block 10'.

[0059] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 6], such a female anchor block 58' is installed on an S-shaped part 76. The latter is made from a flat sheet having two opposing faces, a first 77 and a second 79, and folded into five parts. The first three parts 78, 80 and 82 are folded around centers of curvature located opposite the second face 79, while the following two second parts, 84, 86, are folded in the opposite direction around centers of curvature located opposite the first face 77.

[0060] The end portion 78, of the first three portions, is substantially square and receives on the first face 77, the female anchor block 58'. The female anchor block 58' is, for example, glued, its connecting face 62 on this end portion 78. Consequently, its receiving face 60, into which its cavity 64 opens, is free.

[0061] The first end portion 78 is extended by the intermediate portion 80, which is bent, for example, at approximately 45° with respect to the first end portion 78. And the The third first part 82 is also bent relative to the intermediate part 80 at an angle close to 45°. In other words, the first end part 78 is inclined at approximately 90° relative to the third first part 82.

[0062] Conversely, the first second part 84 is bent at an angle of approximately 90° to the third first part 82. And the second second part 86 is bent at an angle of approximately 70° to the first second part 84. Thus, the third first part 82, the first second part 84, and the second second part 86 together form a hook.

[0063] As will be explained later in the description, the female anchor block 58 can be installed on another type of part suitable for fulfilling other functions.

[0064] As regards the part in S 76 with the female anchor block 58', it can thus be installed on a portion of dashboard 88 as shown in perspective on the [Fig.7].

[0065] The portion of the dashboard 88 having in this case a front panel 85 shown partially and a lower band 90 on which a male anchor block 10' is installed. This male anchor block 10' is analogous to that shown in [Fig.3], the lower band 90 corresponding to the portion of the passenger compartment wall 48 in [Fig.3].

[0066] Thus, the S-piece 16 equipped with the female anchor block 58' is oriented so that the third first part 82, the first and second second parts 84, 86 of the hook-shaped S-piece 76 extend downwards. Also, the third first part 82 of the S-piece 76 extends substantially parallel to the average plane of the facade 85.

[0067] The female anchor block 58' is then engaged on the male anchor block 10' so as to hold the part in S 76 in a fixed position relative to the lower band 90 and therefore to the dashboard 88.

[0068] In this way, an object can be suspended from the part in S 76, as will be explained below.

[0069] We find on [Fig.8] to which we will now refer, the part in S 76 connected to the band 90 by means of the female anchor block 58', which completely masks the male anchor block 10' which it caps.

[0070] In addition, the dashboard 88 is, according to the embodiment presented here, equipped with a hook 92 installed opposite the male anchor block 10' and consequently of the S part 76. The hook 92 is oriented towards and opposite the first and second parts 84, 86 of the S part 76 forming the hook.

[0071] The S-shaped part 76 is substantially flexible. This makes it easy to bend it manually to substantially separate the first and second parts 84, 86 from the hook 92, allowing, for example, a tablet or a laptop 94 to be inserted between them, and then releasing the S-shaped part 76. The laptop 94 is then caught between hook 92 and part S 76.

[0072] Advantageously, two hooks 92 of the same type can be installed on the dashboard 88 in a laterally offset manner relative to each other in order to ensure better retention in a fixed position of the laptop 94.

[0073] According to a second example of implementation not shown, the female anchor block 58 can be installed on another type of part including a lighting device.

[0074] In this way, it is easy to secure this other type of part to the dashboard, for example, to keep the lighting device in a fixed position.

[0075] According to a third example of implementation not shown, the female anchor block 58 can be installed on yet another type of cup holder part.

[0076] Reference will now be made to [Fig.9] showing a 10” male anchor block according to another embodiment specifically concerning the connection with the passenger compartment wall.

[0077] Thus, the male anchor block 10” is totally analogous to that illustrated in [Fig.1], except for the application face 38” which is provided, not with hooking tabs, but with a layer of adhesive 96 covered with a film 98.

[0078] Thus, when it comes to securing the 10” male anchor block to the passenger compartment wall, the film 98 is removed from the adhesive layer 96, and then the application face 38” is applied against the passenger compartment wall. The 10” male anchor block is then firmly pressed against the passenger compartment wall to ensure perfect adhesion of the adhesive layer 96 to the passenger compartment wall, and then the pressure is released. In this way, the 10” male anchor block is perfectly secured to the passenger compartment wall.

Claims

Demands

1. A fastening assembly for removably installing a functional component (76) on a passenger compartment wall (48) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: - a male anchor block (10) having an application face (38) adapted to be secured to said passenger compartment wall (48) and an external peripheral wall (16) of conical shape with a square base erected relative to said application face (38); - a female anchor block (58) adapted to be secured to said functional component (76) and having a receiving face (60) and an open cavity (64) opening into said receiving face, said cavity (64) having an internal peripheral wall (66) adapted to cooperate with said external peripheral wall (16) of said male anchor block (10);- at least one retractable fixing lug (22, 24), mounted in said male anchor block (10) or in said female anchor block (58), said at least one lug being adapted to extend outward from said external peripheral wall (16) or said internal peripheral wall (66), while said internal peripheral wall (66) or said external peripheral wall (16) has at least one opening (72, 74); and in that said functional member (76) is adapted to be installed on said passenger compartment wall (48) by fitting said male anchor block (10) with said female attachment block (58), while said at least one retractable lug (22, 24) retracts and then extends to engage in said at least one opening (72, 74), whereby said functional member (76) is integral with said passenger compartment wall (48).

2. Fixing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said internal peripheral wall (66) has a complementary conical shape, so as to come to apply against said external peripheral wall (16) when said female attachment block (58) comes to cap said male anchoring block (10).

3. Fixing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said male anchor block (10) comprises two retractable fixing lugs (22, 24) opposed to each other.

4. A fastening assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said male anchor block (10) and said female anchor block (58) comprise at least one permanent magnet (45, 75) for retaining said male anchor block (10) and said anchor block female (58) in a fixed position relative to each other.

5. A fastening assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said male anchor block (10) comprises a first permanent magnet (45), while said female anchor block (58) comprises a second permanent magnet (75), the first and second magnets being adapted to attract each other when said male anchor block (10) is capped by said female anchor block (58).

6. Fixing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said male anchor block (10) further comprises a layer of adhesive (96) on said application face (38”).

7. Fixing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said male anchor block (10) further comprises hooking tabs (40, 42) extending in projection from said mounting face (38).

8. A fastening assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises at least one hook (92) adapted to be secured to said passenger compartment wall (85) and at a distance from said male anchor block (10'), while said functional member (76) comprises an S-shaped piece (76) having a first end (78) connected to said female anchor block (58') and a second opposite end (86) forming a hook.

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