GB2375372A

GB2375372A - Clip with rachet mechanism for vehicle trim

Info

Publication number: GB2375372A
Application number: GB0203724A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Takahide Ichimaru
Original assignee: Nifco Inc
Current assignee: Nifco Inc
Priority date: 2001-02-23
Filing date: 2002-02-18
Publication date: 2002-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-18
Also published as: GB2375372B; TW518290B; JP2002249001A; GB0203724D0; JP4420164B2

Abstract

A clip for attaching a cover member m to a channel like groove section d e.g. for a vehicle roof, is formed of an end cap 1 slideably attached to cover member m, a stationary clip 2 which is slideably engaged with the end cap 1 and fixed to the groove section d, and a rachet mechanism 14 formed between the stationary clip 2 and the end cap 1.

Description

Title of the Invention

CLIP FOR ATTACHING A COVER MEMBER AND A STRUCTURE FOR

ATTACHING THE COVER MEMBER BY USING THE CLIP

5 Background of the Invention and Related Art Statement

The present invention relates to a clip for attaching a cover member or trim into a channel-like groove section, which is formed in a roof of an automobile or the like, and a structure for attachment by using the clip, and more specifically, it 10 relates to a clip for attaching the cover member and a structure for attaching the cover member by using the clip, which can attach the cover member easily by a simple operation while the positioning of end sections of the cover member can be also adjusted easily and accurately.

15 On a roof surface of an automobile, a connecting section of body panels forming the roof surface is formed into a channel like groove section, and a cover member or trim is attached to the groove section to conceal the connecting section. In this case, the cover member is fixed by engaging end caps, which are 20 attached to both end sections of the cover member, with stationary clips, which are fixed to both end sections of the groove section.

Namely, as shown in Fig. 5, end caps a, each having a hook-

like anchor section _, are attached to both end sections of the 25 cover member _, and also, stationary clips c, each having a C-

shape in section, are fixed by thermosetting tapes, not shown, to end portions in a channel-like groove section d formed at the

roof surface of the automobile. Thus, the anchor sections b of the end caps a are fitted with engaging dent sections e of the stationary clips c to fix both the end sections of the cover member _, to thereby attach the cover member _ to the groove 5 section d.

However, the conventional attaching or fixing structure shown in Fig. 5 has such a problem that workability at the time of attaching the cover member is poor, and efficiency of the attaching operation is bad.

10 Namely, in case the cover member m is attached to the groove section d by the attaching structure described above, firstly, the end cap a attached to one end of the cover member m is engaged with the stationary clip c fixed to one end of the groove section d. While this condition is being kept, the cover member 15 _ is bent, and the end cap a attached to the other end of the cover member is required to be engaged with the stationary clip fixed to the other end of the groove section _. Therefore, in case the cover member is attached to the roof surface in which a relatively long cover member is used, -the attaching operation 20 thereof results in extremely cumbersome one. Also, since the attaching operation is performed while bending the cover member m, the cover member m may be deformed depending on the way of handling the cover member m.

Furthermore, in case the cover member _ is attached to the 25 roof surface of the automobile, both end sections of the cover member m are required to be aligned with end sections of a front windshield and a rear windshield. However, according to the

conventional attaching structure, once the cover member m is attached, it is impossible to adjust the positions of the end surfaces by moving the end sections (end caps a) of the cover member _, resulting in that even the attachment of the stationary 5 clip c may have to be done again. Also, if the length of the cover member _ or the positions of fixing the stationary clips c are not adjusted or determined extremely precisely, the accurate alignment or positioning of the end sections can not be carried out. 10 The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the invention is to provide a clip for attaching a cover member and a structure for attaching the cover member by using the clip, in which the operation of attaching the cover member can be carried out easily with extremely excellent 15 workability, and the end sections of the cover member can be easily and accurately positioned or aligned.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

20 Summary of the Invention

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a clip for attaching a cover member or trim to a channel-like groove section formed in a body or the like of an automobile, and the clip for attaching the cover member of the invention is 25 formed of an end cap slidably attached to an end section of the cover member; a stationary clip slidably engaged with the end cap and fixed to the groove section) and a ratchet mechanism formed

at the stationary clip and the end cap for engaging the stationary clip with the end cap.

Also, the present invention provides a structure for attaching the cover member by using the clip for attaching the 5 cover member described above, in which the cover member is fixed to the channel-like groove section formed in the body or the like of the automobile. In the structure for attaching the cover member of the invention, the end cap is slidably attached to at least one end section of the cover member, and the stationary 10 clip is fixed to the end section inside the groove section. Then, the stationary clip is engaged with the end cap to attach the cover member to the groove section. Also, the end cap is slid relative to the cover member to thereby position the end section, and is fixed by the ratchet mechanism.

15 According to the clip for attaching the cover member and the structure for attaching the cover member of the invention, the end cap attached to the end section of the cover member is capable of sliding relative to the cover member, and the end cap is slidably engaged with the stationary clip fixed to the groove 20 section. Therefore, at the time of attaching the cover member, it is not necessary to deform the cover member so as to bend the same. Also, while the end cap is slid relative to the cover member, the end cap is engaged with the stationary clip so that the cover member can be attached to the groove section, resulting 25 in that the attaching operation can be carried out with extremely good workability. At the same time, since the cover member is

not bent, there is no such a problem that the cover member is deformed. Further, the ratchet mechanism is formed at the end cap and the stationary clip by engaging the end cap with the stationary 5 clip, and the end cap is slid relative to the stationary clip, to thereby make a fine adjustment to the position of the end cap and fix the same. Accordingly, the end section or end cap of the cover member can be easily and accurately positioned. Therefore, even if it is necessary to accurately align the end sections or 10 caps of the cover member with the sections of a front windshield and a rear windshield of the automobile, without having a cumbersome operation or extremely strict positioning operation in particular, the easy and accurate positioning can be done.

15 Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a clip for attaching a cover member or trim and a structure for attaching the cover member according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a bottom surface side 20 of an end cap forming the clip and the attaching structure shown in Fig. 1-; Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the clip and the attaching structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view, partly shown in 25 section, showing another embodiment of a stationary clip forming the clip for attaching the cover member and the structure for attaching the cover member of the invention; and

Fig. S is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of a conventional structure for attaching the cover member.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

5 Hereunder, embodiments of the invention will be explained in detail. Fig. 1 shows a structure for attaching a cover member according to an embodiment of the invention. A clip for attaching a cover member or trim according to the embodiment of 10 the invention is formed of an end cap 1 to be attached to an end section of a cover member m, and a stationary clip 2 to be fixed to a channel-like groove section d formed at a body or the like of an automobile, and by using the clip for attaching the cover member structured as described above, the cover member m is 15 attached to the groove section d.

As shown in Fig. 1, in the end cap 1, an end panel 12 in a shape of a substantially rectangular plate is integrally formed on one end surface of a cap main body 11, which is opened at a central portion of an upper surface thereof and includes a 20 substantially C-shape in section. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, slide rails 13 project from both side portions of a rear end side of a lower surface of the cap main body 11, and also, serrate ratchet teeth 14 are integrally formed from a center of the lower surface of the cap main body 11 to the front end side thereof.

25 Also, in the stationary clip 2, slide engaging claws 22 are integrally formed inwardly from both side edges of a rear end section of a clip main body 21, which has an opened upper surface

and includes a substantially C-shape in section. Further, a ratchet claw 23 is integrally formed to project from a front end section of a bottom surface of the clip main body 21, and also, a part of a bottom wall of the clip main body 21, which is located 5 slightly behind the ratchet claw 23, is protruded in an arch form This protruded portion constitutes an elastically deformable damper 24.

In case the cover member m is attached to the groove section d by using these end caps 1 and the stationary clips 2, firstly, 10 an engagement rail ml, which is formed in the cover member m and includes a substantially inverted T-shape in section, is inserted into hollow sections of the cap main bodies 11 of the end caps 1, and the end caps 1 are slidably attached to both end sections of the cover member _. Also, the stationary clips 2 are attached to 15 both end sections of the groove section d by using thermosetting tapes t.

In this state, the slide rails 13 of each end cap 1 attached to each end section of the cover member _ are inserted from the front side upper portion of the clip main body 21 into the clip 20 main body 21 of each stationary clip 2, and by sliding the end cap 1 rearwardly, the slide rails 13 of the end cap 1 are engaged with the slide engaging claws 22 of the stationary clip 2, to thereby engage the end cap 1 with the stationary clip 2.

Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 3, the cover member m is attached 25 to the groove section d by means of the end caps 1 and the stationary clips 2.

At this time, as shown in Fig. 3, a distal end of the ratchet claw 23 of each stationary clip 2 is engaged with the ratchet teeth 14 of each end cap 1, to thereby form the ratchet mechanism between the end cap 1 and the stationary clip 2.

5 Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the damper 24 of the stationary clip ? elastically abuts against the end cap 1 to thereby prevent wobbling of the end cap 1.

Then, in this state, the end cap 1 is slid relative to the cover member, and the end section of the end cap 1 is positioned 10 so that the end panel 12 of the end cap 1 is positioned accurately at a predetermined position. At this point, in the sliding movement of the end cap 1, by means of the ratchet mechanism formed by the ratchet teeth 14 and the ratchet claw 23, the end cap 1 slides for every predetermined pitch in accordance 15 with a pitch of the ratchet teeth while having a clicking feel, and is securely held at the predetermined position by the ratchet mechanism. This operation is carried out for the end caps 1 at both end sections of the cover member m, and the end sections (end caps 1) 20 of the cover member m are positioned at the predetermined positions, so that the cover member _ is fixed to the groove section _ described above.

As described above, according to the clip for attaching the cover member and the structure for attaching the cover member of 25 the embodiment of the invention, the end caps 1 attached to the end sections of the cover member _ are slidable relative to the cover member m, and the end caps 1 are slidably engaged with the

stationary clips 2 fixed to the channel-like groove section _.

Therefore, at the time of attaching the cover member m, there is no need to deform or bend the cover member m. Also, while each end cap 1 is slidable relative to the cover member m, the end cap 5 1 is engaged with the stationary clip 2, so that the cover member m can be attached to the groove section d, resulting in that the attaching operation can be carried out with extremely good workability. Also, it is not necessary to bend the cover member m, so that there is no such problem that the cover member m is 10 deformed.

Also, the ratchet mechanism is formed between the end cap 1 and the stationary clip 2, and the end cap 1 slides relative to the stationary clip 2 so that the position of the end cap 1 can be adjusted finely and fixed. Accordinc31y, positioning of the 15 end sections (end caps 1) of the cover member _ can be made easily and accurately. Therefore, even if the end sections (end caps 1) of the cover member m is required to be accurately aligned with the end sections of the front windshield and the rear windshield, without having a cumbersome operation or 20 extremely strict positioning operation, the easy and accurate positioning or aligning can be made.

Incidentally, the clip for attaching the cover member and the structure for attaching the cover member of the invention are not limited to those of the aforementioned embodiment, and can be 25 adequately modified within the gist of the present invention.

For example, although the stationary clip 2 is provided with the ratchet claw 23 and the damper 24 as the respective separate g

members in the aforementioned embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, for example, the ratchet claw 23 can be projected integrally from an apex of the damper 24 protruded in the arch form, so that the damper 24 and the ratchet claw 23 may be integrally provided as 5 one member. Also, although the ratchet teeth 14 are formed in the end cap 1 and the ratchet claw 23 is provided in the stationary clip 2 in the embodiment, vice versa, the ratchet claw may be provided in the end clip 1, and the ratchet teeth may be formed in the stationary clip 2 to Thereby form the ratchet 10 mechanism. Further, the damper 24 may be provided in the end cap 1, not in the stationary clip 2, and the ratchet mechanism may be formed by a method other than the foregoings.

Also, the shapes of the end cap 1 and the stationary clip 2, or a mode for slidably engaging the end cap 1 with the cover 15 member _ or the stationary clip 2 may be modified as appropriate, and other structures can be modified adequately. Furthermore, although it has been explained that both end sections of the cover member m are fixed by using the clips of the invention, each of which is formed of the end cap 1 and the stationary clip 20 2 having the ratchet mechanism, in the aforementioned embodiment, it will be sufficient that at least one of the end sections of the cover member m is fixed by the attaching structure of the invention by using the clip of the invention, and the other end section may be fixed by using another fixing structure, such as 25 the conventional fixing method shown in Fig. 5.

As described above, according to the clip for attaching the cover member and the structure for fixing the cover member of the

invention, the operation of attaching the cover member can be easily carried out with extremely excellent workability, and the positioning of the end sections of the cover member can be made easily and accurately.

5 While the invention has been explained with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A clip for attaching a cover member to a channel-like groove section, comprising: an end cap slidably attached to an end section of the cover 5 member, a stationary clip fixed to the groove section and slidably engaging the end cap, and a ratchet mechanism formed on the end cap and the stationary clip to slidably and adjustably engage the end cap with the 10 stationary clip.

2. A clip for attaching a cover member according to claim 1, wherein one of said end cap and the stationary clip is provided with ratchet teeth having a serrate shape in section and tile 15 other of said end cap and the stationary clip is provided with a ratchet claw engaging the ratchet teeth, said ratchet claw having a distal end engaging the ratchet teeth to thereby form said ratchet mechanism for engaging the end cap with the stationary clip.

3. A clip for attaching a cover member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of said end cap and the stationary clip is provided with a damper for preventing wobbling between the end cap and the stationary clip.

4. A clip for attaching a cover member according to claim 3, wherein said damper constitutes an elastically deformable

protruding section in an arch form formed at said one of the end cap and the stationary clip, said protruding section elastically abutting against the other of the end cap and the stationary clip to thereby prevent the wobbling.

c

5. A clip for attaching a cover member according to claim 4, wherein the ratchet claw is integrally formed with the damper formed of the protruding section in the arch form, said ratchet claw projecting from the damper and engaging the ratchet teeth to 10 thereby form the ratchet mechanism.

6. A clip for attaching a cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one of said end cap and the stationary clip includes a first sliding engaging portion, and the other of 15 said end cap and the stationary clip includes a second sliding engaging portion engaging the first sliding engaging portion.

7. A structure for attaching the cover member to the channel-like groove section by using the clip according to any one of claims 1 20 to 6, wherein said end cap is slidably attached to at least one of the end sections of the cover member, said stationary clip being attached to the end section inside the groove section, said stationary clip engaging the end cap to thereby attach the cover member to the channel-like groove section, said end cap being 25 slidable relative to the cover member to thereby position the end sections and fix the same by the ratchet mechanism.

8. A clip for attaching a cover member substantially shown and described in the specification and Figs. 1-4.

9. A structure for attaching the cover member to the 5 channel-like groove section substantially shown and described in the specification and Figs. 1-4.

10. A clip for attaching a cover member to a channel-

like groove section substantially as hereinbefore 10 described with reference to the accompanying description

and Figures 1 to 3; or Figure 4 of the drawings.

11. A structure for attaching a cover member to a channel-like groove section by using a clip substantially 15 as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and Figures 1 to 3; or Figure 4

of the drawings.