Trim clip with four-direction tolerance

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a trim clip (300). The trim clip can include a clip body (301) comprising an upper portion (302) and a lower portion (303). The upper portion can include a neck (304) configured to provide tolerance in an upward and downward direction and the lower portion can be configured to provide a tolerance in a leftward and rightward direction. The trim clip can also include a clip fixedly (305) connected to the lower portion of the clip body and an over-molded seal (306) provided at a center of the clip body.

Description

TRIM CLIP WITH FOUR-DIRECTION TOLERANCECLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to Yu, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 63 / 605,806, entitled “TRIM CLIP WITH FOUR-DIRECTION TOLERANCE,” filed on December 4, 2023 (Attorney Docket No. 6474.029PRV), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] During vehicle manufacturing and assembly processes, trim clips are often used for securing components to vehicle panels, trims, facia, etc. without screws. Trims clips can utilize a variety of fastening mechanisms and can be either permanent or removable, depending on the particular application. For example, they may push on to a stud or a shaft in the panel. Trim clips are often used on door trims, vehicle trims, motor trims, and various facia. In addition, trim clips generally utilize position tolerances in one or more directions.However, if the clip does not properly float then it may cause mismatches to the mating hole on the panel, leading to various installation problems such as the panel getting stuck. Current trim clips are usually cylinder-shape but are typically limited to only having position tolerances in two directions of about + / - 2 mm. Moreover, standard trim clips are generally not reusable.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a trim clip can include a clip body with an upper portion and a lower portion The upper portion can include a neck configured to provide tolerance in an upward and downward direction and the lower portion can be configured to provide a tolerance in a leftward and rightward direction. The trim clip can also include a clip fixedly connected to the lower portion of the clip body; and an over-molded seal provided at a center of the clip body. In some examples, the tolerance directionsreferred to herein such as up / upward, or down / downward, or left / right are made with reference to a longitudinal axis of the trim clip (with a head of a clip being “up” and a bottom of a clip being “down” for example), or as shown in the drawings (for example FIG. 2), and not necessarily with reference to the direction of gravity in which the term “down” might mean or be limited to a direction pointing at the earth’s surface and “up” meaning an opposite vertical direction, for example. Examples disclosed herein are not so limited. The term “four-direction tolerance” may also be referred to or considered as a disclosure of multi-directional tolerance in some examples, and the terms “up and down tolerance” (or similar) and “left and right tolerance” may also be referred to or considered as a disclosure of bi-directional tolerance in some examples.

[0004] In some embodiments, the neck can be configured to slide into a channel of a doghouse to facilitate a connection. In some embodiments, the doghouse can be contained within a door trim, a vehicle rim, or a motor trim. In some embodiments, the over-molded seal can be configured to rest on a surface opposite the doghouse to facilitate the connection. In some embodiments, the lower portion of the clip body can be configured to reside in a slot of the surface. In some embodiments, the slot can be wider than the lower portion of the clip body. In some embodiments, the clip can include a steel material. In some embodiments, the clip body can include a plastic material. In some embodiments, the over-molded seal comprises thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV).

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a trim clip can include a clip body with an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion can include a neck configured to provide tolerance in an upward and downward direction and the lower portion can be configured to provide a tolerance in a leftward and rightward direction. The trim clip can also include a clip fixedly connected to the lower portion of the clip body. The lower portion of the clip body can include an umbrella extending outward from the clip body.

[0006] In some embodiments, the neck can be configured to slide into a channel of a doghouse to facilitate a connection. In some embodiments, the doghouse can be contained within a door trim, a vehicle rim, or a motor trim. In some embodiments, the umbrella can be configured to rest on a surface opposite the doghouse to facilitate the connection. In some embodiments, the lower portionof the clip body can be configured to reside in a slot of the surface. In some embodiments, the slot can be wider than the lower portion of the clip body. In some embodiments, the clip can include a steel material. In some embodiments, the clip body can include a plastic material.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] Various objectives, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements.

[0008] FIGS. 1 and 2 are example prior art trim clips.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an example waterproof trim clip according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 4 is an example waterproof trim clip connected to a doghouse and mating panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the waterproof trim clip connected to a doghouse and mating panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the waterproof trim clip connected to a doghouse and mating panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 7 is an example trim clip according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 8 is an example trim clip connected to a doghouse and mating panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 9 is another example waterproof trim clip according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 10 is another example waterproof trim clip connected to a doghouse and mating panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 11 is another example trim clip according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 12 is another example trim clip connected to a doghouse and mating panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] The drawings are not necessarily to scale, or inclusive of all elements of a system, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the concepts, structures, and techniques sought to be protected herein.DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the claimed invention or the applications of its use.

[0021] It is therefore desirable for trim clips to have good enough retention forces that they can be reusable and additional directional tolerances up to four different directions. Accordingly, some examples of the present disclosure are directed to a trim clip with four-direction or multi-direction tolerance. Some examples of a disclosed trim clip can be used to facilitate four-direction or multidirection tolerance adjustments while connecting to a mating panel of a vehicle. In addition, the trim clip can easily be trimmed off at the edge of a mating hole. Some examples of a trim clip can utilize a steel clip portion to enhance the connection to the mating panel. In some examples, a portion of the trim clip can also reside within a doghouse. In some examples, the doghouse can include a slot that allows the top portion of the trim clip to slide up and down, generating two directions for tolerance adjustment (i.e., up and down), while a slot in the mating panel allows the trim clip to slide left and right (for example) to create two additional directions for tolerance adjustment. Other or multiple further directions of tolerance or permissible movement are possible in some examples. In addition, some examples of a trim clip can maintain their retention force after removal. This may enhance trim clip reusability and, in some cases, a trim clip can be re-used up to five or more times.

[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 are example prior art trim clips. FIG. 1 shows a trim clip 100 that includes a plastic piece 101, an over-molded seal 102 (which can be made out of TPV), and a plastic halo 103. While clip 100 can have a fourdirectional tolerance, it can also suffer from certain deficiencies related to itsretention forces over its life cycle. As it is removed from a vehicle panel and reused, the clip 100 quickly loses its retention force and generally cannot be used more than two or three times. For example, if a doorframe in which the clip 100 is connected to is removed for service, the trim clip 100 will likely need to be replaced because of the serious lack of retention force. In addition, the clip 200 of FIG. 2 only has directional tolerance in two directions, as designated by the arrows. Both of these clips are therefore undesirable for certain applications.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an example waterproof trim clip 300 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the trim clip 300 includes a clip body 301, which can be divided into an upper portion 302 and a lower portion 303. In addition, the trim clip 300 can include a neck 304, a clip 305 attached to the clip body 301, and an overmolded seal 306. In some embodiments, the clip body 301 and the neck 304 can be made of a plastic material. In addition, the clip 305 can be made of steel, while the overmolded seal 306 can be made of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV).

[0024] FIG. 4 is an example waterproof trim clip 300 connected to a doghouse 402 and mating panel 401 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the mating panel 401 can include various types of panels on a vehicle, such as during assembly and / or manufacturing. For example, the mating panel 401 can be a door trim, vehicle trim, motor trim, and the like. The lower portion 303 of the trim clip 300 and the clip 305 can enter a slot in the mating panel 401. However, the lower portion 303 of the clip body 301 can have a thickness less than the mating panel slot to allow for left and right directional tolerance adjustments. Additional details are discussed in relation to FIG. 6. In addition, the upper portion 302 of the trim clip 300 can reside within the doghouse 402. The neck 304 can reside within the entry slot of the doghouse 402 and its height can be less than a thickness of the doghouse 402, which allows for directional tolerance adjustment in the up and down directions. In addition, the overmolded seal 306 can contact the surface of the mating panel 401 which can provide a waterproof seal. Such a configuration of the trim clip 300 can provide various benefits such as good wearing performance (i.e., reusability up to five or more times without significant decreases inretention force), position tolerance in four directions, and good insertion and retention for ergonomic purposes.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a top view of the waterproof trim clip 300 connected to a doghouse 402 and mating panel 401 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As can be seen, the seal 306 extends past the doghouse 402, although this is not limiting and is merely exemplary in nature. Moreover, a slot within the bottom of the doghouse 402 allows the upper portion 302 of the clip body 301 to enter the doghouse 402 and surround the neck 304 (not shown). As discussed above, the seal 306 contacts the top surface of the mating panel 401, which can create a waterproof seal.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the waterproof trim clip 300 connected to a doghouse 402 and mating panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The mating panel 401 include a slot 600 which is configured to receive the lower portion 303 of the clip body 301 and the clip 305. The slot 600 can be wider than the lower portion 303 and the clip 305 to enable direction tolerance adjustments in the left and right direction (or bi-directional, or multidirectional), as indicated by the arrows.

[0027] FIG. 7 is an example trim clip 700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the trim clip 700 includes a clip body 701, which can be divided into an upper portion 702 and a lower portion 703. In addition, the trim clip 300 can include a neck 704, a clip 705 attached to the clip body 701, and a plurality of arms 706a-b. Similar to the trim clip 300, the clip body 701, the neck 704, and the arms 706a-b can be made of a plastic material and the clip 705 can be made of steel.

[0028] FIG. 8 is an example trim clip 700 connected to a doghouse 802 and mating panel 801 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the mating panel 801 can include various types of panels on a vehicle, such as during assembly and / or manufacturing. For example, the mating panel 801 can be a door trim, vehicle trim, motor trim, and the like, similar to the mating panel 401 discussed in relation to FIG. 4. The lower portion 703 of the trim clip 700 and the clip 705 can enter a slot in the mating panel 801. However, the lower portion 703 of the clip body 701 can have a thickness less than the mating panel slot to allow for left and right directional (or bi-directional,or multi-directional) tolerance adjustments, similar to the slot described in relation to FIG. 6. In addition, the upper portion 702 of the trim clip 700 can reside within the doghouse 802. The neck 704 can reside within the entry slot of the doghouse 802 and its height can be less than a thickness of the doghouse 802, which allows for directional tolerance adjustment in the up and down directions (or bi-directional, or multi-directional). In addition, the plurality of arms 706a-b can contact the surface of the mating panel 801 to provide extra stability and retention forces. Such a configuration of the trim clip 700 can, similar to the trim clip 300 of FIG. 3, provide various benefits such as good wearing performance (i.e., reusability up to five or more times without significant decreases in retention force), position tolerance in four directions (or multi-directional), and good insertion and retention for ergonomic purposes.

[0029] FIG. 9 is another example waterproof trim clip 900 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the trim clip 900 includes a clip body 901, which can be divided into an upper portion 902 and a lower portion 903. In addition, the trim clip 900 can include a neck 904, a clip 905 attached to the clip body 901, and an overmolded seal 906. In some embodiments, the clip body 901 and the neck 904 can be made of a plastic material. In addition, the clip 905 can be made of steel, while the overmolded seal 906 can be made of thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV).

[0030] FIG. 10 is another example waterproof trim clip 900 connected to a doghouse 1002 and mating panel 1001 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the mating panel 1001 can include various types of panels on a vehicle, such as during assembly and / or manufacturing. For example, the mating panel 1001 can be a door trim, vehicle trim, motor trim, and the like, as discussed in relation to FIG. 4. The lower portion 903 of the trim clip 900 and the clip 905 can enter a slot in the mating panel 1001. However, the lower portion 903 of the clip body 901 can have a thickness less than the mating panel slot to allow for left and right directional tolerance adjustments. Additional details are discussed in relation to FIG. 6. In addition, the upper portion 902 of the trim clip 900 can reside within the doghouse 1002. The neck 904 can reside within the entry slot of the doghouse 1002 and its height can be less than a thickness of the doghouse 1002, whichallows for directional tolerance adjustment in the up and down directions. In addition, the overmolded seal 906 can contact the surface of the mating panel 1001 which can provide a waterproof seal. Such a configuration of the trim clip 900 can provide various benefits such as good wearing performance (i.e., reusability up to five or more times without significant decreases in retention force), position tolerance in four directions, and good insertion and retention for ergonomic purposes.

[0031] FIG. 11 is another example trim clip according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the trim clip 1100 includes a clip body 1101, which can be divided into an upper portion 1102 and a lower portion 1103. In addition, the trim clip 1100 can include a neck 1104, a clip 1105 attached to the clip body 1101, and an umbrella 1106. Similar to the trim clip 300, the clip body 1101, the neck 1104, and the umbrella 1106 can be made of a plastic material and the clip 1105 can be made of steel.

[0032] FIG. 12 is another example trim clip 1100 connected to a doghouse 1202 and mating panel 1201 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the mating panel 1201 can include various types of panels on a vehicle, such as during assembly and / or manufacturing. For example, the mating panel 1201 can be a door trim, vehicle trim, motor trim, and the like, similar to the mating panel 401 discussed in relation to FIG. 4. The lower portion 1103 of the trim clip 1100 and the clip 1105 can enter a slot in the mating panel 1201. However, the lower portion 1103 of the clip body 1101 can have a thickness less than the mating panel slot to allow for left and right directional tolerance adjustments, similar to the slot described in relation to FIG. 6. In addition, the upper portion 1102 of the trim clip 1100 can reside within the doghouse 1202. The neck 1104 can reside within the entry slot of the doghouse 802 and its height can be less than a thickness of the doghouse 802, which allows for directional tolerance adjustment in the up and down directions. In addition, the umbrella 1106 can contact the surface of the mating panel 1201 to provide extra stability and retention forces. Such a configuration of the trim clip 1100 can, similar to the trim clip 300 of FIG. 3, provide various benefits such as good wearing performance (i.e., reusability up to five or more times withoutsignificant decreases in retention force), position tolerance in four directions, and good insertion and retention for ergonomic purposes.

[0033] EXAMPLES

[0034] Some embodiments of the present disclosure include the following examples.

[0035] Example 1. A trim clip comprising: a clip body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a neck configured to provide tolerance in an upward and downward direction, wherein the lower portion is configured to provide a tolerance in a leftward and rightward direction; a clip fixedly connected to the lower portion of the clip body; and an over-molded seal provided at a center of the clip body.

[0036] Example 2. The trim clip of example 1, wherein the neck is configured to slide into a channel of a doghouse to facilitate a connection.

[0037] Example 3. The trim clip of example 2, wherein the doghouse is contained within a door trim, a vehicle rim, or a motor trim.

[0038] Example 4. The trim clip of example 2 or example 3, wherein the over-molded seal is configured to rest on a surface opposite the doghouse to facilitate the connection.

[0039] Example 5. The trim clip of example 4, wherein the lower portion of the clip body is configured to reside in a slot of the surface.

[0040] Example 6. The trim clip of example 5, wherein the slot is wider than the lower portion of the clip body.

[0041] Example 7. The trim clip of any one of examples 1-6, wherein the clip comprises a steel material.

[0042] Example 8. The trim clip of any one of examples 1-7, wherein the clip body comprises a plastic material.

[0043] Example 9. The trim clip of any one of examples 1-8, wherein the over-molded seal comprises thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV).

[0044] Example 10. A trim clip comprising: a clip body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a neck configured toprovide tolerance in an upward and downward direction, wherein the lower portion is configured to provide a tolerance in a leftward and rightward direction; a clip fixedly connected to the lower portion of the clip body; and wherein the lower portion of the clip body comprises an umbrella extending outward from the clip body.

[0045] Example 11. The trim clip of example 10, wherein the neck is configured to slide into a channel of a doghouse to facilitate a connection.

[0046] Example 12. The trim clip of example 11, wherein the doghouse is contained within a door trim, a vehicle rim, or a motor trim.

[0047] Example 13. The trim clip of example 11, wherein the umbrella is configured to rest on a surface opposite the doghouse to facilitate the connection.

[0048] Example 14. The trim clip of example 13, wherein the lower portion of the clip body is configured to reside in a slot of the surface.

[0049] Example 15. The trim clip of example 14, wherein the slot is wider than the lower portion of the clip body.

[0050] Example 16. The trim clip of any one of examples 10-15, wherein the clip comprises a steel material.

[0051] Example 17. The trim clip of any one of examples 10-16, wherein the clip body comprises a plastic material.

[0052] While various embodiments and examples have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading the above description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. For example, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0053] In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlight the functionality and advantages are presented for example purposes only. Thedisclosed methodology and system are each sufficiently flexible and configurable such that they may be utilized in ways other than that shown.

[0054] Although the term “at least one” may often be used in the specification, claims and drawings, the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, etc. also signify “at least one” or “the at least one” in the specification, claims and drawings.

[0055] Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include the express language "means for" or "step for" be interpreted under 35 U.S.C.112(f). Claims that do not expressly include the phrase "means for" or "step for" are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A trim clip comprising: a clip body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a neck configured to provide tolerance in an upward and downward direction, wherein the lower portion is configured to provide a tolerance in a leftward and rightward direction; a clip fixedly connected to the lower portion of the clip body; and an over-molded seal provided at a center of the clip body.

2. The trim clip of claim 1, wherein the neck is configured to slide into a channel of a doghouse to facilitate a connection.

3. The trim clip of claim 2, wherein the doghouse is contained within a door trim, a vehicle rim, or a motor trim.

4. The trim clip of claim 2, wherein the over-molded seal is configured to rest on a surface opposite the doghouse to facilitate the connection.

5. The trim clip of claim 4, wherein the lower portion of the clip body is configured to reside in a slot of the surface.

6. The trim clip of claim 5, wherein the slot is wider than the lower portion of the clip body.

7. The trim clip of claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a steel material.

8. The trim clip of claim 1, wherein the clip body comprises a plastic material.

9. The trim clip of claim 1, wherein the over-molded seal comprises thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV).

10. A trim clip comprising: a clip body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a neck configured to provide tolerance in an upward and downward direction, wherein the lower portion is configured to provide a tolerance in a leftward and rightward direction; a clip fixedly connected to the lower portion of the clip body; and wherein the lower portion of the clip body comprises an umbrella extending outward from the clip body.

11. The trim clip of claim 10, wherein the neck is configured to slide into a channel of a doghouse to facilitate a connection.

12. The trim clip of claim 11, wherein the doghouse is contained within a door trim, a vehicle rim, or a motor trim.

13. The trim clip of claim 11, wherein the umbrella is configured to rest on a surface opposite the doghouse to facilitate the connection.

14. The trim clip of claim 13, wherein the lower portion of the clip body is configured to reside in a slot of the surface.

15. The trim clip of claim 14, wherein the slot is wider than the lower portion of the clip body.

16. The trim clip of claim 10, wherein the clip comprises a steel material.

17. The trim clip of claim 10, wherein the clip body comprises a plastic material.

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