Headliner retainer clip for a vehicle

Abstract

A headliner retainer clip 300 for securing a vehicle headliner 12 to a roof assembly (14, figure 4A) comprises: a substrate 100; and a resiliently flexible plug 302 supported by the substrate at a loc

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a headliner retainer clip for a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a headliner retainer clip, to a clip, to a part comprising the headliner retainer clip or clip, to a system comprising the part and a second part, and to a vehicle. BACKGROUND It is known to provide a headliner retainer clip to secure a vehicle headliner assembly to a vehicle roof assembly. The vehicle headliner assembly may be upholstered, for example. The vehicle roof assembly may comprise a vehicle body panel or a glazing panel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a headliner retainer clip for a vehicle, a clip, a part comprising the headliner retainer clip or clip, a system comprising the part and a second part, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a headliner retainer clip to secure a vehicle headliner assembly to a vehicle roof assembly, the headliner retainer clip comprising: a substrate; and a resiliently flexible plug supported by the substrate at a location proximal to an elongate edge of the substrate, the elongate edge of the substrate extending in a first direction, wherein the resiliently flexible plug comprises a pair of support portions (e.g., support legs) coupling the resiliently flexible plug to the substrate, and an elongate member (e.g., beam) between the pair of support portions, wherein the pair of support portions of the resiliently flexible plug are offset from each other along the first direction, wherein a gap is defined between the elongate member of the resiliently flexible plug and the substrate when the resiliently flexible plug is in a neutral un-depressed state, and wherein the resiliently flexible plug is depressible towards the substrate to a depressed state such that the gap is reduced. An advantage is that the resiliently flexible plug is easy to flex in a predetermined direction, which allows for a low insertion load to engage the clip without compromising on pull-out resistance. A lower insertion load means that less exertion is required by the installer, and a lower chance of the installer damaging the thin vehicle headliner assembly or any upholstery attached thereto. A high pull-out resistance can be achieved because the resiliently flexible plug can behave as a snap-fit connector by returning to its neutral un-depressed state when it has entered a corresponding socket. Optionally, the vehicle headliner assembly is an upholstered glazed-roof ring and the vehicle roof assembly is a vehicle glazed-roof assembly. Optionally, the vehicle roof assembly comprises a glazing panel. Therefore, 1 the headliner retainer clip advantageously enables an upholstered ring or frame to be secured to the underside of a glazing panel of the vehicle glazed-roof assembly. Optionally, the gap is further defined between the pair of support portions and the substrate, as well as between the elongate member and the substrate, when the resiliently flexible plug is in the neutral un-depressed state. Optionally, the gap is a through-hole. The resiliently flexible plug may define first, second, and third axes, orthogonal to each other. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug protrudes from the substrate in the first axis. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug has a width in the second axis. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug is elongate in a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. Optionally, the gap is a through-hole with opposite openings spaced in the second axis. Optionally, the first and third axes are approximately horizontal axes and the second axis is an approximately vertical axis. Optionally, the first direction in which the elongate edge of the substrate extends is approximately parallel to the third axis. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug has a first stiffness against deformation in a first axis (e.g., the first axis defined above) towards the substrate to reduce the gap. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug has a second stiffness against deformation in a second axis (e.g., the second axis defined above), wherein the second axis Is orthogonal to the first axis, and wherein the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. An advantage is that the resiliently flexible plug is only flexible in the direction that it needs to be flexible in, and is stiffer in other directions. The resiliently flexible plug does not substantially deflect or bend transversely to that direction. Therefore, the resiliently flexible plug can be slid along a diagonal sloped surface / ramp which depresses the plug towards the substrate without any substantial deflection or bending of the plug in other directions. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug comprises a lead-in surface in cross-section. The cross-section may be defined by the first and second axes. Optionally, the elongate member comprises the lead-in surface. Optionally, the elongate member and the pair of support portions each comprise a lead-in surface. Optionally, the lead-in surface faces away from the gap (and substrate) in the cross-section. Optionally, the lead-in surface is curved in the cross-section. Optionally, the lead-in surface is curved at a first side / upper portion of the crosssection. An advantage is that less precision and force is required during insertion. Optionally, the lead-in surface is shaped, e.g., curved in the cross-section, to convert a first force component at the lead-in surface to at least a second force component. Optionally, the first force component is perpendicular or mostly perpendicular to a plane of the resiliently flexible plug. The plane may be defined by the first and third axes and the first force component may be in the second axis. Optionally, the second force 2 component is parallel or mostly parallel to the plane of the resiliently flexible plug and extends towards the substrate to depress the resiliently flexible plug towards the substrate. The second force component may be in the first axis and towards the substrate. An advantage of the lead-in surface on the resiliently flexible plug is that the steepness of the diagonal sloped surface / ramp along which it slides is less constrained. The touching surfaces may be generally tangential or parallel to each other. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug comprises a strain relief formation (e.g., strain relief thinning). Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug comprises strain relief formations, wherein each strain relief formation is located at or proximal to an end of a respective one of the support portions which is proximal to the elongate member. Optionally, each strain relief formation comprises a localised thinning of a cross-section of the resiliently flexible plug. Optionally, the strain relief formations are located at opposite ends of the elongate member and demarcate the elongate member from the support portions. Optionally, each strain relief formation is located at a location of a reflex angle of the resiliently flexible plug, the reflex angle defined between a corresponding one of the support portions and the elongate member. Optionally, the strain relief formations face the gap, being on a tension side of the resiliently flexible plug during depression thereof. An advantage of the strain relief formations is greater durability, because strains during depression are shifted closer to the bases of the supports, which can withstand greater strains. Optionally, the elongate member is supported by both of the pair of support portions, and wherein the pair of support portions extend to the elongate member at an oblique angle relative to the substrate and are resiliently flexible. Optionally, the support portions and elongate member collectively define an arch. In examples, the gap refers to the space under the arch. Optionally, the elongate member extends linearly in the first direction / third axis. Optionally, the elongate member extends generally parallel to the substrate and the arch is elongate in the first direction / third axis. An advantage is that the oblique angles provide flexibility in the intended direction. The support at both ends provides durability, as well as stiffness against flexing or deflection in unwanted directions. Optionally, the substrate extends beneath the resiliently flexible plug, to provide a base surface to limit a maximum extent of depression of the resiliently flexible plug. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug is resiliently depressible until the elongate member contacts, or the support portions contact, the base surface defined by the substrate. An advantage is the prevention of over-stressing of the resiliently flexible plug, by bottoming out on the substrate. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug has a gap-facing side, which is substantially flat and parallel to the base surface of the substrate when viewed in cross-section. The cross-section may be defined by the first and 3 second axes. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug is D-shaped in cross-section, to define the substantially flat gap-facing side and an opposite curved side defining the lead-in surface described earlier. Optionally, the base surface of the substrate is a surface portion of the substrate beneath the resiliently flexible plug, the base surface being substantially flat and parallel to the flat gap-facing side of the resiliently flexible plug. The base surface may be substantially flat and parallel to a plane defined by the second and third axes. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug is formed from a common material as the substrate and / or is integrally formed with the substrate. Optionally, the common material is a polymer material. Optionally, bases of the support portions, the elongate member, and the gap, are coplanar with each other. The bases are where the support portions meet the substrate, in other words the feet of the resiliently flexible plug. The coplanarity may be in a plane defined by the first and third axes. Optionally, the elongate member has substantially zero eccentricity from the bases of the support portions in the third axis. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a part comprising the headliner retainer clip. The part is a first part. Optionally, the part is the vehicle headliner assembly or the vehicle roof assembly, or at least a portion thereof. Optionally, the part comprises a plurality of the headliner retainer clips. Optionally, the substrate of each headliner retainer clip is a common substrate, and wherein the elongate edge of the substrate of each headliner retainer clip is a common elongate edge of the common substrate. Optionally, the part comprises a damping layer that extends over at least a portion of the resiliently flexible plug. Optionally, the damping layer is a noise and / or vibration damping layer. An advantage is that an antisqueak or vibration function is provided by preventing direct contact between the plug and the socket. Optionally, the damping layer extends over at least a portion of the elongate member and / or over at least a portion of the support portion, of the resiliently flexible plug. Optionally, the damping layer extends over the strain relief formation or formations. Optionally, the damping layer extends over the lead-in surface of the resiliently flexible plug. Optionally, the damping layer is formed from a compressible material, relative to a material from which the resiliently flexible plug is formed. Optionally, the compressible material is a fabric material. Optionally, the fabric material is upholstery (upholstery fabric) for upholstering a vehicle-interior facing side of the substrate. Optionally, the part comprises upholstery (e.g., the upholstery fabric defined above), and wherein the upholstery covers a first side (e.g., the vehicle-interior facing side) of the common substrate, wraps around the common elongate edge to a second opposite side of the common substrate, and extends over at least a portion of the elongate member of one or more of the headliner retainer clips. An advantage is that existing upholstery material can be used to provide an anti-squeak or vibration function. A further advantage is that the resiliently flexible plugs assist with tensioning the upholstery. Optionally, the common substrate has a substantially L-shaped cross-section in a region of the resiliently flexible plug, and wherein an upper edge of the substantially L-shaped cross-section is the common elongate edge. The cross-section may be in the first and second axes. Optionally, the substantially L-shaped crosssection of the common substrate comprise an upper leg. Optionally, the substantially L-shaped cross-section of the common substrate comprise a lower leg. Optionally, the upper and lower legs define a reflex angle therebetween. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug of each headliner retainer clip protrudes from the upper leg of the substantially L-shaped cross-section in a first transverse direction relative to the upper leg, and wherein the resiliently flexible plug is depressible in a second transverse direction opposite the first transverse direction. The first and second transverse directions may be parallel to the first axis, and opposite. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising the first part, and a second part. Optionally, the second part is the other one of the vehicle headliner assembly or the vehicle roof assembly, or at least a portion thereof. Optionally, the first part is at least a portion of a headliner assembly and the second part comprises a roof glazing panel. Optionally, the second part comprises a socket and a snap-fit protrusion. Optionally, one of the headliner retainer clips is connectable with the socket to engage the part and second part. Optionally, the resiliently flexible plug and the snap-fit protrusion are shaped to enable a sloped surface of the snap-fit protrusion to depress the resiliently flexible plug towards the depressed state during movement of one of the part and second part towards the other in a connecting direction, allowing the resiliently flexible plug to pass the snap-fit protrusion and enter the socket where the resiliently flexible plug has space to return towards the neutral undepressed state. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the headliner retainer clip, or the part, or the system. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a clip for a vehicle, the clip comprising: a substrate; and a resiliently flexible plug supported by the substrate at a location proximal to an elongate edge of the substrate, the elongate edge of the substrate extending in a first direction, wherein the resiliently flexible plug comprises a pair of support portions coupling the resiliently flexible plug to the substrate, and an elongate member between the pair of support portions, wherein the pair of support portions of the resiliently flexible plug are offset from each other along the first direction, wherein a gap is defined between the elongate member of the resiliently flexible plug and the substrate when the resiliently flexible plug is in a neutral un-depressed state, and wherein the resiliently flexible plug is depressible towards the substrate to a depressed state such that the gap is reduced. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example vehicle; FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate top views of a vehicle, with a vehicle glazed-roof assembly shown in FIG. 2Aand omitted in FIG. 2B; FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a perspective view and cross-section view, respectively, of a resiliently flexible plug; FIGS. 4A-4B are cross-section views illustrating stages of insertion of the resiliently flexible plug into a socket; and FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a perspective view and cross-section view, respectively, of a resiliently flexible plug partially covered by upholstery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A vehicle 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying FIG. 1. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle 1 is a passenger vehicle, also referred to as a passenger car or as an automobile. In other examples, embodiments of the invention can be implemented for other applications, such as commercial vehicles. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view and illustrates a longitudinal x-axis between the front and rear of the vehicle 1 representing a centreline, an orthogonal lateral y-axis between left and right lateral sides of the vehicle 1, and a vertical z-axis. A forward / fore direction typically faced by a driver’s seat is in the negative x-direction; rearward / aft is +x. A rightward direction as seen from the driver’s seat is in the positive y-direction; leftward is -y. These are a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction. FIGS. 2A-2B schematically illustrate top views of the vehicle 1, with a vehicle glazed-roof assembly 14 shown in FIG. 2A and omitted in FIG. 2B. In the example shown, the vehicle 1 comprises a body 2, a greenhouse or ‘glassed’ area comprising glazing 4, and a vehicle roof 3 above the greenhouse. The glazing 4 of the greenhouse comprises a windshield, a back window / tailgate window, and side windows. The body 2 further comprises pillars (not shown) between individual glazing panels of the greenhouse. The vehicle roof 3 is connected to and supported by the pillars. 6 As shown in FIG. 2B, the vehicle roof 3 comprises an aperture 5 over which a vehicle roof assembly in the form of a vehicle glazed-roof assembly 14 (“glazed-roof assembly” herein) is mounted. The glazed-roof assembly 14 comprises a glazing panel 400. In other embodiments, the vehicle roof assembly comprises a non-glazed panel such as an opaque body panel or a fabric panel. The glazing panel 400 has a width extending from proximal to a left edge of the vehicle roof 3 to proximal to a right edge of the vehicle roof 3. The glazing panel 400 is elongate in the x-axis, having a length extending from proximal to a front edge of the vehicle roof 3 to proximal to a rear edge of the vehicle roof 3. Such a glazing panel 400 would be described as a panoramic glazing panel, and the glazed-roof assembly 14 would be a vehicle panoramic roof assembly. Alternatively, the glazing panel 400 and aperture 5 may be shorter in length such that it is wholly or substantially on the front half or rear half of the vehicle roof 3. Either way, the glazing panel 400 can be described as a type of sunroof, whether openable or not. To provide good solar illumination of the interior cabin of the vehicle 1, the aperture 5 underlying the large panoramic glazing panel 400 shown in FIG. 2A may be correspondingly large, or there may be a plurality of smaller apertures 5. The underlying aperture 5 in the vehicle roof 3 Is framed by a vehicle headliner assembly in the form of an upholstered roof ring 12. The illustrated roof ring 12 is generally rectangular in shape. The vehicle headliner assembly will be referred to as a “roof ring 12” herein for simplicity, notwithstanding that the invention may apply to other forms of vehicle headliner assembly. The glazed-roof assembly 14 further comprises brackets 500 which are mounted to the underside of the glazing panel 400 and are therefore shown in dotted lines. The roof ring 12 comprises a plurality of headliner retainer clips 300 (“retainer clips” herein) which are engageable with the brackets 500 mounted to the underside 402 of the glazing panel 400, to secure the roof ring 12 to the glazed-roof assembly 14. The retainer clips 300 secure the roof ring 12 against translation of the roof ring 12 in at least the z axis. During manufacture, the glazed-roof assembly 14 may be added first, and then an installer inside the vehicle 1 would push up the roof ring 12 to connect the retainer clips 300 to the brackets 500. Together, these first and second parts (roof ring 12 and glazed-roof assembly 14) define a system 10. The circled detail views in FIGS. 2A-2B show that each bracket 500 comprises a socket 502 and each retainer clip 300 comprises a resiliently flexible plug 302, referred to herein as a “plug” for conciseness. The plug 302 and socket 502 are shaped to engage with each other, and are defined in detail later. Although the illustrations show the sockets 502 being part of the glazed-roof assembly 14 and the plugs 302 being part of the roof ring 12, it would be appreciated that their order may be swapped so that the part 7 comprising the plugs 302 is the glazed-roof assembly 14 and the part comprising the sockets 502 is the roof ring 12. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the roof ring 12 comprises an upholstered polymer substrate 100, labelled in FIG. 2B. The roof ring 12 would be described as a polymer roof ring. This distinguishes the roof ring 12 from steel roof rings, providing advantages such as 40%-50% reduced mass, reduced tooling costs, the ability to mould many components together without finishing or welding operations, improved recyclability, and reduced embodied carbon emissions. It would be appreciated that the polymer roof ring 12 may further comprise non-polymer materials. The substrate 100 may further comprise some non-polymer materials. However, a majority of the substrate 100 by weight, and a majority of the roof ring 12 by weight, are formed from polymer material. The substrate 100 can comprise one or more layers, at least one of which is a polymer layer. The substrate 100 can comprise at least one polymer layer which is a common substrate to all ora plurality of the retainer clips 300. The common substrate 100 is moulded into a substantially continuous ring that frames the aperture 5 in the vehicle roof 3 of the vehicle 1, or at least into a strip that extends along one side of the roof ring 12. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the common substrate 100 is formed from a polymer composite material comprising a polymer and a reinforcing glass fibre mat and scrim bonded thereto. The polymer may comprise polyurethane foam, for example. The materials are configured so that the roof ring 12 is stiff enough to remain securely attached to the glazed-roof assembly 14. Optionally, one or more additional layers can be bonded to the common substrate 100. For example, the detail view in FIG. 2B illustrates that each retainer clip 300 may comprise an individual substrate 101 which is bonded to the common substrate 100. Throughout the rest of this disclosure, the word “substrate” when used alone does not distinguish between the common substrate 100 or the individual substrates 101. Furthermore, there may also be further layers or parts which are bonded to the common substrate 100, but are generally outside the scope of this disclosure. Regarding the arrangement of retainer clips 300, FIGS. 2A-2B show a first series of retainer clips 300 and brackets 500 to one long side of the roof ring 12, and a second series of retainer clips 300 and brackets 500 to the other long side of the roof ring 12. The number of retainer clips 300 depends on implementation. In the non-limiting example, the long sides of the roof ring 12 are the left and right sides. Therefore, each series of retainer clips 300 extends in the x-direction and each retainer clip 300 faces in the y-direction. None of the retainer clips 300 are shown at the short sides of the roof ring 12, which in the non-limiting example are the front and rear sides of the roof ring 12. Instead, further attachment means is provided at the short sides of the roof ring 12, for further attaching the roof ring 12 to the glazed-roof assembly 14 in addition to the retainer 8 clips 300. In some examples, the further attachment means comprises hook and loop fastener pads 600, 700 secured to each part 12,14, to secure the roof ring 12 against translation of the roof ring 12 in the x, y, and z axes. There may be fewer hook and loop fastener pads 600, 700 secured to the roof ring 12 than there are retainer clips 300. During assembly, the hook and loop fastener pads 600, 700 conveniently self-engage first, supporting the weight of the roof ring 12 and allowing the installer to then push each retainer clip 300 into engagement with the corresponding brackets 500. The pushing force would be in the upwards z-axis. The design of the retainer clips 300 obviates the need to include any additional secondary clips. Since there are no additional clips, the system 10 benefits from fewer parts, offering a manufacturing and installation cost saving and a reduction in squeak and rattle issues. The retainer clips 300 and brackets 500 are now described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3A-5B. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an enlarged perspective view and a y-z cross-section view, respectively, of an individual retainer clip 300. Each retainer clip 300 comprises a plug 302 supported by a substrate 100, 101. Depending on implementation, a plurality of the plugs 302 may be supported by either a common substrate 100, or by individual substrates 101, or by both as shown in FIG. 3A where individual substrate layers 101 comprising the plugs 302 are bonded to the common substrate 100. The illustrated common substrate 100 defines the shape of the roof ring 12 or at least one side thereof. However, in an example where the plug 302 and socket 502 are swapped, the plugs 302 would be mounted to glazing panel 400 by the brackets 500, so the substrate 100 would comprise the glazing panel 400 and the brackets 500. In summary, the illustrated plugs 302 of the retainer clips 300 are bow-shaped (arch-shaped) polymeric spring members connected at each end to the substrate 100, 101. FIGS. 4A-4B further illustrate the socket 502, in y-z cross-section. Each bracket 500 comprises a socket 502. The bracket 500 is mounted to the underside 402 of the glazed-roof assembly 14 and protrudes downwardly therefrom. The socket 502 is a horizontally-facing U-shaped recess or channel formed in the bracket 500, which is elongate in the x-direction and faces in the inboard y-direction oppositely than the outboard-facing plug 302. Below the socket 502, the bracket 500 further comprises a snap-fit protrusion in the form of a sloped surface (“ramp 504” herein) that slopes upwardly (z) and inboard (y) to the socket 502. The angle of the ramp 504 relative to the x-y plane is optionally selected from the range 20 to 85 degrees or 35 to 85 degrees. The ramp 504 is connected to the socket 502 by an edge described as a nose 506. In summary, to connect the plugs 302 to the sockets 502, the installer pushes the substrate 100,101 upwardly as shown by the upwards arrow in FIG. 4A. The plug 302 contacts and slides along the ramp 504. The inboards sloping of the ramp 504 of the snap-fit protrusion depresses the plug 302 towards the substrate 100, 101. Then, when the plug 302 passes over the nose 506 of the ramp 504, the plug 302 is aligned with the socket 502 and can resiliently spring into the socket 502, returning to its neutral un-depressed state. The retainer clip 300 is now engaged. The retainer clip 300 offers good retention in the z-axis when engaged. The retainer clip 300 is easily disengaged by peeling the substrate 100,101 in the inboard y-direction (dotted left arrow 318 in FIG. 4B) until the plug 302 is outside the socket 502 in the y-axis. The substrate 100,101 can then be lowered. In examples, a fingernail or tool may prise the upper edge of the substrate 100, 101 in the inboard y-direction 318 until the plugs 302 are free. This form of release is enabled by the flexibility and compliance of the substrate 100,101, which as described above may be a flexible polymer substrate 100,101 rather than for example a rigid metal one. With reference to FIGS. 3A-3B, the geometry of the retainer clips 300 is now described in more detail, starting with the substrate 100,101 and then the plugs 302. The illustrated substrate 100, 101 has a particular cross-section shape 102 in a region of the plug 302, for example when a y-z cross-section is taken through the plug 302 and substrate 100,101 as shown in FIG. 3B. A first side 112 of the cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101 is upholstered (FIGS. 5A-5B) and defines an upholstered ceiling of the cabin of the vehicle 1. The first side 112 of the cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101 extends and optionally curves upwardly towards the lower side (underside 402) of the glazing panel 400 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. The first side 112 comprises an A-surface (cabin-facing surface) of the roof ring 12. An opposite second side 114 of the cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101 comprises a B-surface (non-cabin-facing surface). The retainer clips 300 are supported by the second side 114 of the cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101 to be hidden from view. As shown, the cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101 can comprise a substantially L-shaped and / or curved cross-section 102 in a region of the plug 302. When a y-z cross-section is taken through the plug 302 and substrate 100, 101, the cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101 is L-shaped and / or curved. The illustrated cross-section 102 is L-shaped and curved. The L-shaped cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101 comprises a lower leg 106 and an upper leg 104 integrally connected to each other to define an L shape. The upper leg 104 is upright relative to the lower leg 106. The lower leg 106 is approximately horizontal relative to the upper leg 104, extending transversely from the upper leg 104 in an outboard direction generally in the y-axis. The illustrated lower leg 106 of the substrate 100, 101 may slope downwardly and the legs may be angled such that a reflex angle is defined between the upper leg 104 and lower leg 106 of the substrate 100, 101. 10 The outer and inner surfaces of the upper and lower legs 104, 106 define the first and second sides 112, 114 of the cross-section 102 of the substrate 100, 101. The plug 302 is supported by the upper leg 104 of the substrate 100, 101. Specifically, the plug 302 is supported at the B-surface of the upper leg 104. The plug 302 protrudes from the upper leg 104 in an outboard y-direction. The lower leg 106 of the substrate 100, 101 is located below the plug 302 and extends beneath the plug 302. An upper edge of the substrate 100, 101 defines an elongate edge 108 extending primarily or substantially in the x-direction. For example, the upper edge may be a top edge of the upper leg 104 of the L-shaped crosssection 102. The elongate edge 108 of the substrate 100, 101 is proximal to the lower side (underside 402) of the glazing panel 400 for finishing purposes. There may be a small vertical gap between the elongate edge 108 and the lower side of the glazing panel 400. Each plug 302 is supported by the substrate 100,101 ata location proximal to the elongate edge 108 of the substrate 100, 101, for aesthetic finishing purposes. The elongate edge 108 may be common to a plurality of the retainer clips 300 / plugs 302. The specific geometry of the plugs 302 is now described. FIGS. 3A-5B define a local coordinate system for a plug 302, comprising a first axis Y1, a second axis Z1, and a third axis X1. In the illustrated example, the first axis is parallel or approximately parallel to the y-axis. The second axis is parallel or approximately parallel to the z-axis. The third axis is parallel or approximately parallel to the x-axis. Each plug 302 protrudes from the substrate 100,101 in the Y1 axis, is elongate in the X1 axis, and has a width in the Z1 axis. The substrate 100, 101 and its elongate edge 108 extend in a first direction parallel to the X1 axis. The plugs 302 are spaced along the X1 axis. The plug 302 comprises a pair of support portions (“support legs 304” herein) and an elongate member (“beam 306” herein) between the pair of support legs 304. The support legs 304 are separated in the X1 direction and the beam 306 extends between them in the X1 direction. The illustrated support legs 304 are also elongate members, like the beam 306. One end of each support leg 304 is integrally connected to the substrate 100,101 at a base 312, and the opposite end of each support leg 304 is integrally connected to a corresponding end of the beam 306 with a reflex angle defined therebetween. In other examples, the support legs 304 and beam 306 may form a single continuous curved arch. A generally bow-shaped (arch-shaped) spring member (plug 302) is defined by the support legs 304 and the beam 306 therebetween. Each support leg 304 extends at an oblique angle in the X1-Y1 plane from its base 312 and is integrally connected at its distal end to a corresponding end of the beam 306. The support legs 304 are offset from each other in a first direction parallel to the X1 axis. The support legs 304 are located opposite 11 each other in the X1 axis, and extend diagonally towards each other. The beam 306 extends along / coaxially with the X1 axis. The support legs 304 and / or beam 306 are resiliently flexible. A gap 308 is defined between the beam 306 and the substrate 100, 101, at least when the plug 302 is in a neutral un-depressed state as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. The gap 308 also extends under the support legs 304. The illustrated gap 308 is a through-hole, with opposite upper and lower openings spaced in the Z1 axis. The plug 302 can be defined as a hollow plug due to the gap 308. Due to the gap 308 and the resilient deformability of the plug 302, the plug 302 is depressible in the Y1 axis towards the substrate 100, 101 (inboard y-direction in the figures) to reduce the thickness of the gap 308 in the X1 axis. The depression brings the distal ends of the support legs 304 and the beam 306 closer to the substrate 100,101. This enables the snap-fit behaviour shown in FIGS. 4A-4B and described above. FIG. 4B shows a Y1-Z1 cross-section of the beam 306 of the plug 302, representing the plug 302 in a depressed state. The illustrated plug 302 is not hook shaped. The plug 302 does not hook with the socket 502. Specifically, the beam 306 of the plug 302 has substantially zero eccentricity in the Z1 axis along substantially its whole length. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the centroids of the support legs 304, of the bases 312 of the support legs 304, and of the beam 306, lie on a common X1-Y1 plane labelled as P in FIG. 3B. In the Z1 axis, the centroids are all the same distance below the elongate edge 108 of the substrate 100,101. To ensure that the plug 302 Is resiliently deformable to snap-fit into the socket 502 without requiring too much insertion force, the plug 302 (support legs 304 and beam 306) may be formed from a polymeric material such as an injection-mouldable polymer-fibre composite blend. In examples, the blend comprises Polybutylene Terephthalate and Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, and glass fibres. Alternatively, another suitable polymer with similar mechanical / thermal properties can be used. The polymeric material may be the same as that of the substrate 100,101. With reference to FIGS. 4A-4B, the plug 302 is fully depressed when the beam 306 is in contact with the nose 506 of the ramp 504, at the edge of the socket 502. When the plug 302 is fully depressed, a portion of the gap 308 may remain so the plug 302 is not quite ‘bottomed out’ against the substrate 100, 101. The remaining portion of the gap 308 provides some tolerance. If the plug 302 is depressed too far, the beam 306 and / or support legs 304 will bottom out against a base surface 110 of the substrate 100, 101, which is a portion of the B-surface of the substrate 100, 101 at the second side 114 of the substrate 100, 101. This prevents damage to the plug 302 from over-depression. The plug 302 has a first stiffness against a depressing force applied in the Y1 axis to the beam 306, and a second stiffness against a deflecting force applied in the Z1 axis to the beam 306. Both forces occur simultaneously while the plug 302 is sliding up the diagonal ramp 504 of the bracket 500. To prevent unwanted deflection, the cross-section of the plug 302 is configured so that the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. Therefore, the plug 302 is easy to operably depress but resistant to bending flexure. 12 The Y1-Z1 cross-section view of FIG. 3B shows that the plug 302 may have a lead-in surface 310 to contact and slide along the ramp 504. The lead-in surface 310 of the plug 302 is curved to provide a lead-in chamfer. For example, at least the beam 306 of the plug 302 is shown as D-shaped in cross-section, to provide a lead-in surface 310. This allows optimisation of the steepness of the ramp 504 without the plug 302 requiring excessive insertion force. The lead-in surface 310 extends generally the whole length of the beam 306 and may continue along a portion of the support legs 304. While the substrate 100, 101 is translated upwardly in the Z axis as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, this results in a main Z force component at the lead-in surface 310 in contact with the ramp 504. The curvature of the lead-in surface 310 and the diagonal slope of the ramp 504 together convert part of the Z force component to a Y / Y1 force component towards the substrate 100, 101, depressing the plug 302. The D-shaped cross-section of the plug 302 has a gap-facing side facing the gap 308, and an opposite curved non-gap-facing side. The gap-facing side is a substantially flat surface that is parallel to the base surface 110 of the substrate 100, 101 when viewed in cross-section. When the plug 302 is bottomed out, the gap-facing side of the beam 306 may contact the base surface 110 of the substrate 100, 101. The base surface 110 of the substrate 100,101 may also be substantially flat and parallel to the plane of the gap-facing side of the plug 302. The curved non-gap-facing side of the D-shaped cross-section of the plug 302 is curved to define the lead-in surface 310. The arc length of the curve may be 180 degrees. Alternatively, only an upper portion (upper quadrant) of the non-gap-facing side of the cross-section of the plug 302 is curved, defining an arc length of 90 degrees or less. The illustrated plug 302 is D-shaped to provide a lead-out surface as well as the lead-in surface. However, the lower curvature of the D shape may have a tighter radius to make removal more difficult than installation. FIG. 3A further illustrate the plug 302 comprising a pair of stress relieving features, shown as strain relief formations 316. Each strain relief formation 316 is located at the position where the ends of the diagonal support legs 304 connect to the ends of the straight beam 306 at a reflex angle. The strain relief formations 316 may demarcate the support legs 304 from the beam 306. Each illustrated strain relief formation 316 is a localised thinning of the cross-section, caused by a channel or depression extending in the Z1 axis, and formed in the gap-facing side of the D-shaped cross-section of the plug 302. The channels defined by the strain relief formations 316 form part of the larger gap 308. The strain relief formations 316 are located behind the lead-in surface 310 of the plug 302 which extends over them. As a result of the strain relief formations 316, most of the strains occur proximal to the bases 312 of the support legs 304 rather than where the support legs 304 meet the beam 306. This has the advantage that the strains 13 occur proximal to the substrate 100, 101. Furthermore, the support legs 304 may have locally enlarged crosssections proximal to their bases 312, because this is where high strains occur. FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a perspective view and a Y1-Z1 cross-section view, respectively, of a layer of upholstery 200 covering the first side 112 (A-surface) of the substrate 100,101, wrapping over the substrate 100,101 to the second side 114 (B-surface), and partially covering the plug 302 to provide an anti-squeak and rattle function. This is because the upholstery 200 provides a damping layer (cushioning layer) between the plug 302 and the socket 502, preventing direct contact therebetween. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the upholstery 200 comprises an aesthetic layer laminated or otherwise secured onto an underlying compressible layer. In examples, the aesthetic layer comprises a textile layer or a leather layer. In examples, the compressible layer comprises a foam layer. The compressible layer may be thicker than the aesthetic layer. The upholstery 200 may be adhered to the substrate 100, 101 by adhesive. The portion of upholstery 200 which partially covers the plug 302 may either be adhered to the plug 302 by adhesive, or may be free to slide. To cover the plug 302, two parallel slits may be cut into the upholstery 200, separated in the X1 direction, resulting in a bridge which can be flexed into an arch by at least the beam 306 of the plug 302. In FIGS. 5A-5B, the bridge of upholstery 200 is shorter in the X1 direction than the plug 302, with the result that the plug 302 is partially uncovered. The whole beam 306 is covered but lower portions of the support legs 304 remaining exposed and uncovered by the upholstery 200. Alternatively, the entire plug 302 may be covered. The upholstery 200 is long enough in the X1 direction so that the whole beam 306 and both of the strain relief formations 316 of the plug 302 are covered, as well as substantially all portions of the lead-in surface 310 that are operable to contact the ramp 504. The same sheet of upholstery 200 can conveniently cover a plurality of plugs 302. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. In some, but not necessarily all examples, a discontinuity could be provided through the beam 306 such that it is split into two separate beams 306, each mounted to a separate support leg 304. The present invention applies to a first part comprising the retainer clips 300 with the plugs 302, and a second part comprising the sockets 502. In the illustrated example, the first part is the roof ring 12 and the second part is the glazed-roof assembly 14. In another example, the plug 302 and socket 502 are reversed such that the J--------- first part is the glazed-roof assembly 14 and the second part is the roof ring 12, In the latter example, the Y / Y1-axis directions in which the plug 302 and socket 502 face may be reversed. In some, but not necessarily all examples, first and second parts are different vehicle parts than a roof ring 12 5 and a glazed-roof assembly 14. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with 10 reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Claims

1. A headliner retainer clip to secure a vehicle headliner assembly to a vehicle roof assembly, the headliner retainer clip comprising:a substrate; anda resiliently flexible plug supported by the substrate at a location proximal to an elongate edge of the substrate, the elongate edge of the substrate extending in a first direction,wherein the resiliently flexible plug comprises a pair of support portions coupling the resiliently flexible plug to the substrate, and an elongate member between the pair of support portions,wherein the pair of support portions of the resiliently flexible plug are offset from each other along the first direction,wherein a gap is defined between the elongate member of the resiliently flexible plug and the substrate when the resiliently flexible plug is in a neutral un-depressed state, andwherein the resiliently flexible plug is depressible towards the substrate to a depressed state such that the gap is reduced.

2. The headliner retainer clip of claim 1, wherein the resiliently flexible plug has a first stiffness against deformation in a first axis towards the substrate to reduce the gap, and a second stiffness against deformation in a second axis, wherein the second axis is orthogonal to the first axis, and wherein the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness.

3. The headliner retainer clip of claim 1 or 2, wherein the resiliently flexible plug comprises a lead-in surface in cross-section, and facing away from the gap, wherein the lead-in surface is shaped to convert a first force component at the lead-in surface to at least a second force component, wherein the first force component is perpendicular or mostly perpendicular to a plane of the resiliently flexible plug, and wherein the second force component is parallel or mostly parallel to the plane of the resiliently flexible plug and extends towards the substrate to depress the resiliently flexible plug towards the substrate.

4. The headliner retainer clip of claim 1,2, or 3, wherein the resiliently flexible plug comprises strain relief formations, wherein each strain relief formation is located at or proximal to an end of a respective one of the support portions which is proximal to the elongate member.

5. The headliner retainer clip of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is supported by both of the pair of support portions, and wherein the pair of support portions extend to the elongate member at an oblique angle relative to the substrate and are resiliently flexible.

6. The headliner retainer clip of any preceding claim, wherein the substrate extends beneath the resiliently flexible plug, to provide a base surface to limit a maximum extent of depression of the resiliently flexible plug.

7. The headliner retainer clip of any preceding claim, wherein the resiliently flexible plug is formed from a common material as the substrate and / or is integrally formed with the substrate.

168. The headliner retainer clip of any preceding claim, wherein bases of the support portions, the elongate member, and the gap, are coplanar with each other.

9. A part comprising a plurality of the headliner retainer clips each as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the substrate of each headliner retainer clip comprises a common substrate, and wherein the elongate edge of the substrate of each headliner retainer clip is a common elongate edge of the common substrate.

10. The part of claim 9, wherein the part comprises upholstery, and wherein the upholstery covers a first side of the common substrate, wraps around the common elongate edge to a second opposite side of the common substrate, and extends over at least a portion of the elongate member of one or more of the headliner retainer clips.

11. The part of claim 9 or 10, wherein the common substrate has a substantially L-shaped cross-section in a region of the resiliently flexible plug, and wherein an upper edge of the substantially L-shaped crosssection is the common elongate edge.

12. The part of claim 11, wherein the resiliently flexible plug of each headliner retainer clip protrudes from an upper leg of the substantially L-shaped cross-section in a first transverse direction relative to the upper leg, and wherein the resiliently flexible plug is depressible in a second transverse direction opposite the first transverse direction.

13. A system comprising the part as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, and a second part, wherein the second part comprises a socket and a snap-fit protrusion, wherein one of the headliner retainer clips is connectable with the socket to engage the part and second part, and wherein the resiliently flexible plug and the snap-fit protrusion are shaped to enable a sloped surface of the snap-fit protrusion to depress the resiliently flexible plug towards the depressed state during movement of one of the part and second part towards the other in a connecting direction, allowing the resiliently flexible plug to pass the snap-fit protrusion and enter the socket where the resiliently flexible plug has space to return towards the neutral un-depressed state.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the part is at least a portion of a vehicle headliner assembly and the second part comprises a roof glazing panel of a vehicle roof assembly.

15. A vehicle comprising the headliner retainer clip of any one of claims 1 to 8, or the part of any one of claims 9 to 12, or the system of claim 13 or 14.18

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