GB2587029A

GB2587029A - Adjustable mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2587029A
Application number: GB1913324.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walters James; Brindle Jeffery
Original assignee: Bentley Motors Ltd
Current assignee: Bentley Motors Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-16
Filing date: 2019-09-16
Publication date: 2021-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-16
Also published as: GB201913324D0; GB2587029B

Abstract

An adjustable mounting assembly 1 for mounting components relative to each other comprises a mounting peg 4 movably connected to a support 3, enabling the relative position of the peg and support 3 to be adjusted. The peg may comprise an elongate adjustment member and enlarged engagement portion. The engagement portion may comprise a body, an enlarged head extending from the body and a narrowed neck portion between the body and head for connection with the complementary fitting mounted relative to a structure. The elongated adjustment member may be a threaded screw to allow height adjustment relative to the support. At least one mounting clip 8 may be provided to engage with each at least one mounting peg. The mounting clip may comprise a pair of resiliently deformable spaced apart arms; at least one abutment flange, at least one elastically deformable peg engagement arm, angled relative to the at least one deformable arm; and a narrow entry defined by the engagement arms. The assembly may be used with a vehicle dashboard including a number of facia panels, where the adjustment aspect allows for panels to be mounted flush with any adjacent panels.

Description

ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable mounting assembly for mounting a first component relative to a second component. In particular, the present invention relates to an adjustable mounting assembly for mounting a panel relative to a structure.

Background to the Invention

In an existing arrangement, decorative panels are mounted to the internal structure of an automobile using clips. One part of the clip is formed on the panel and the other on the structure. The two parts are engaged to mount the panel to the structure.

It is desirable for adjacent panels to be flush with each other, and any other adjacent surface, to provide an attractive finish to the interior of the vehicle. However, where adjacent panels or surfaces are not mounted to the same structure, the effect of tolerances may result in the panels and/or adjacent surfaces not being flush. Manufacturing tolerances between panels can lead to a similar result. This adversely affects the appearance of the vehicle. The current approach to address this problem is to remove material from the clips of any proud panels. This is time consuming and requires skill. If too much material is removed the panel may have to be discarded. If a panel has to be replaced the replacement panel will also likely need to be worked to enable it to fit flush with adjacent panels or surfaces.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved or alternative mounting assembly and/or to address one or more of the problems presented above.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable mounting assembly for mounting components relative to one another, the assembly comprising: an adjustment mechanism comprising a mounting peg movably connected to a support, enabling the relative position of the mounting peg and support to be adjusted, the mounting peg being configured to engage with a complementary fitting mounted relative to a structure.

The present invention includes an adjustable mounting assembly for mounting a panel relative to a structure at a desired separation distance from the structure.

Although the application of the present invention is not limited to vehicles, the invention is described herein primarily with reference to vehicles, in particular with respect to mounting fascia panels relative to a vehicle dashboard. In that particular case, the structure is preferably the support structure of the vehicle dashboard which is normally mounted relative to the vehicle body.

The use of the adjustable mounting assembly of the present invention allows adjustment of the separation distance from the support to ensure that the panel is mounted to be flush with any adjacent panels and/or other parts of the dashboard The present invention preferably includes a mounting peg with an elongate adjustment member and an enlarged engagement portion configured to engage with the complementary fitting.

In one preferred form, the enlarged engagement portion comprises a body, an enlarged head extending from the body, a narrowed neck portion between the body and the enlarged head.

Preferably the elongate adjustment member extends from the body from an opposite end to the enlarged head.

The complementary fitting will preferably be or include a mounting clip relative to which the mounting peg, and particularly the enlarged engagement portion, engages In a preferred form, the mounting clip comprises a pair of spaced apart, resiliently deformable mounting arms with a connecting wall linking the arms to space the arms apart.

Each mounting arm preferably comprises at least one abutment flange at an opposite end to the connecting wall to locate the mounting clip relative to a structure Each mounting arm preferably comprises at least one resiliently deformable peg engagement arm having a home position Typically, the at least one resiliently deformable peg engagement arm is angled relative to the at least one deformable arm.

In use, the respective resiliently deformable peg engagement arms preferably together define a narrowed entry through which an enlarged engagement portion of a mounting peg is forced during engagement, causing temporary deformation of the peg engagement arm and engagement of the enlarged engagement portion by the respective peg engagement arms once the enlarged engagement portion has passed the narrowed entry as the peg engagement arms return toward the home position.

The separation of the enlarged head relative to the panel or structure is preferably adjustable using the elongate adjustment member.

In a further and much more particular aspect, the present invention resides in an adjustable mounting assembly for mounting a panel relative to a structure at a desired separation distance from the structure, the assembly comprising at least one mounting peg with a body, an enlarged head extending from the body, a narrowed neck portion between the body and the enlarged head and an elongate adjustment member extending from the body from an opposite end to the enlarged head, at least one mounting clip comprising a pair of spaced apart, resiliently deformable mounting arms with a connecting wall linking the arms to space the arms apart, each arm having at least one abutment flange at an opposite end to the connecting wall to locate the mounting clip, and at least one resiliently deformable peg engagement arm having a home position, the at least one resiliently deformable peg engagement arm angled relative to the at least one deformable arm, wherein the respective resiliently deformable peg engagement arms together define a narrowed entry through which the enlarged head of a mounting is forced during engagement, causing temporary deformation of the peg engagement arm and engagement of the enlarged head by the respective peg engagement arms once the enlarged head has passed the narrowed entry as the peg engagement arms return toward the home position, and wherein the separation of the enlarged head relative to the panel or structure is adjustable using the elongate adjustment member.

The construction detailed above provides for an adjustable mounting assembly which enables components to be mounted relative to one another and their relative position to be adjusted by operation of the elongate adjustment member. In a preferred form, the at least one mounting peg is mounted on, or forms part of, a panel, and the at least one mounting clip is configured to be installed on, or form part of a structure relative to which the panel is to be fitted. The panel can be mounted on the structure by releasably engaging the mounting peg with the mounting clip. The relative separation of the panel and structure is adjustable by adjusting the relative position of the panel and the structure by adjusting the position of the elongate adjustment member relative to the panel or structure. This will allow, for example, the position of the panel to be adjusted to allow the panel to be mounted flush with adjacent panels or structures to enhance the level of fit and finish, particularly between two or more panels that are independently mounted.

As mentioned above, the adjustment member will typically extend from the body from an opposite end to the enlarged head.

Typically, the body, narrowed neck and enlarged head are all formed in one piece Preferably, these components will be moulded. A unitary construction is particularly preferred with the adjustment member being provided as a second component. The body, narrowed neck and enlarged head are preferably moulded about one end of the adjustment member leaving the opposite end exposed.

The body will preferably have an enlarged flange at an end adjacent to the adjustment member and which radiates outwardly further than the neck or the enlarged head. The adjustment member will preferably extend from approximately centrally of the enlarged flange. The flange will preferably have a stop face surrounding the adjustment member which acts to limit the insertion length of the adjustment member. The stop face is preferably substantially planar. The stop face is typically perpendicular to the axis of the adjustment member. The flange is typically circular.

A torso portion (between the neck and the flange) preferably extends from the opposite side of the flange to the neck portion The torso portion of the body will typically have a rectangular first portion and a wedge-shaped second portion closer to the neck The first portion is normally located adjacent to the flange. The first portion is preferably provided with a pair of arcuate end walls and a pair of planar, parallel, spaced apart side walls. The first portion is preferably part only of the thickness of the flange.

Preferably, a pair of outer, segment shaped portions are provided on the surface of the flange opposite to the stop face and between the circumferential edge of the flange and each side wall. These segment shaped portions function as abutment surfaces. The abutment surfaces are preferably substantially parallel to the stop face.

In use, when the body and head of the mounting peg is inserted into the aperture associated with the mounting clip, the abutment surfaces will preferably abut the periphery of the aperture to limit insertion of the body and head.

The wedge-shaped second portion will preferably have a pair of convergent side walls extending between the first portion to the narrowed neck portion. The wedge-shaped second portion will typically have a pair of convergent end walls extending from the preferred arcuate end walls of the first portion to the narrowed neck portion. The end walls of the first portion may extend partially over the end of the second portion.

The convergent side walls and convergent end walls of the wedge shaped second portion will both normally converge towards the neck.

In use, the convergent side walls will preferably be closely received, and preferably abut portions of the peg engagement arms on the mounting clip when the 20 mounting peg is fully engaged with the mounting clip.

The narrowed neck portion is preferably a short portion defined between the second portion of the body and the end of the enlarged head The neck may have a planar side wall on each side/end. Alternatively, the narrowed neck may be defined by the angled transition between the walls of the second portion of the body and the enlarged head.

The enlarged head will preferably have at least one angled, divergent wall extending from the narrowed neck to a thickest portion of the enlarged head. Typically, a number of divergent walls are provided to define the shape of the enlarged head.

Generally, the divergent walls will be planar. The at least one divergent wall will preferably provide abutment surfaces for the peg engagement arms on the mounting clip when the mounting peg is fully engaged with the mounting clip.

The thickest portion of the enlarged head is preferably generally rectangular in shape with a pair of sidewalls that are each substantially parallel to the sidewalls of the first portion of the body. The sidewalls of the enlarged head may be coplanar with the sidewalls of the first portion of the body.

The thickest portion of the enlarged head will preferably have arcuate end walls.

A convergent portion may be provided on an outermost free end of the enlarged head, converging from the thickest portion of the enlarged head to a substantially planar free end surface or wall at the opposite end to the stop surface of the body. The convergent portion may assist with smooth deformation of the deformable peg engagement arms on the mounting clip as the mounting peg is forced into the mounting clip.

The preferred shape of the body, neck and enlarged head together with a corresponding shape of the peg engagement arms of the mounting clip will preferably provide multiple points/surfaces of contact between the mounting peg and the peg engagement arms when properly engagement which will typically increase the security of the engagement between them and minimise rattling.

The mounting peg includes an elongate adjustment member. Preferably the elongate adjustment member is a threaded member.

If the main part of the mounting peg and the aperture are both larger in one dimension and smaller in a second dimension only a discrete number of integer or half integer turns of the mounting peg into the support will allow the mounting peg to be inserted into the aperture and clip In use, the pitch of the thread on the adjustment member is fixed such that each half turn of the mounting peg will preferably adjust the separation of the enlarged head of the mounting peg from the panel (or structure) by a predetermined distance (according to the pitch of the thread). This preferably allows an operator to count the rotations and/or half rotations to ascertain the separation distance easily and quickly. Once the number of rotations and/or half rotations required for flush fit have been established, a replacement panel for example can be fitted by rotating by the same number. This may be an assembly parameter that could be noted in a build record for a particular vehicle for example.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above, one or more indexing formations may be preferably provided on the adjustment member, typically spaced over the length of the adjustment member. Typically, at least one indexing formation will be provide on each of two opposed sides of the adjustment member to give tactile and/or audible feedback of each half-turn of the mounting peg The indexing formations may be as simple as a notch or similar on the thread, preferably a notch which reduces the major diameter of the thread. Preferably a notch is provided into all turns of the thread (which may be used), in a line, one two opposed sides of the adjustment member.

Still further, the indexing mechanism may be provided on a component other than the adjustment member but provision of an indexing arrangement on the adjustment member or correspondingly shaped portions as described means that the indexing can occur with only the adjustment member and the threaded bore, reducing the number of components needed and reducing the complexity.

In assembly, the adjustment member will preferably engage with a correspondingly threaded bore provided on a panel and rotated to an approximate separation distance. The panel is then fitted to the structure and if flush, left in position.

If not flush, the operator can remove the panel easily, adjust the separation distance by rotation of the mounting peg, noting the indexing steps involved, and then refit the panel. This process can be repeated until the panel is flush and the final number of rotations and/or half rotations can then be noted.

IS Preferably, a mounting clip will be provided for each mounting peg The mounting clip is typically located relative to the structure to which the panel is to be mounted. In a preferred form, the mounting clip is mounted relative to an aperture in the structure. In a most preferred form, the mounting clip is mounted into an aperture in the structure.

The aperture is preferably shaped to correspond to the shape of the first portion of the body of the mounting peg and once the clip is inserted, an inner dimension of the mounting clip is preferably sized to closely receive the first portion of the body of the mounting peg, preferably abutting the side walls of the first portion of the body of the mounting peg.

The resiliently deformable arms of the mounting clip are preferably linked or connected at one end by a connecting wall to form a generally U-shaped mounting clip.

Preferably, the mounting clip will be formed from a metal or plastic material with resilient characteristics. Typically, the mounting clip will be unitary, formed of a single piece of material.

The resiliently deformable arms of the mounting clip preferably diverge as they extend away from the connecting wall.

A free end of each resiliently deformable arm of the mounting clip will typically be provided with an abutment flange The abutment flange is preferably angled relative to the plane of the resiliently deformable arm. In a most preferred form, the abutment flange will be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the resiliently deformable arm. Each abutment flange will preferably extend away from the opposite resiliently deformable arm In use, the resiliently deformable arms will typically be forced toward each other, normally manually by an operator, so that the abutment flanges can pass through the aperture and then released so that the abutment flanges abut the surrounds of the aperture to prevent removal (unless deformed again).

Each of the resiliently deformable arms will preferably have a stepped or depressed portion provided adjacent to the free end with the abutment flange, extending in an opposite direction to the abutment flange in order to assist with seating of the mounting clip once attached to the structure. The step or depressed portion is preferably Ii planar. The step or depressed portion will preferably extend across the width of the mounting clip.

The step or depressed portion will assist with seating the mounting clip but will also preferably define planar side edges of an opening into which the body is inserted when the mounting peg is engaged with the mounting clip. The mounting peg will preferably abut an inner side of the stepped or depressed portion which will preferably lock the mounting clip relative to the structure. It will also fix the mounting peg in position once inserted so that the mounting peg cannot rotate.

Each resiliently deformable peg engagement arm will preferably be provided relative to the respective resiliently deformable arm of the mounting clip to have a home position angled relative to the arm There is typically a pair of resiliently deformable peg engagement arms on each clip, one for each arm.

In a preferred form, the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm is formed from the arm of the mounting clip, preferably by separation of a portion of the arm on or about at least one and preferably three side edges (to form a rectangular resiliently deformable peg engagement arm) and bending the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm inwardly at an angle to the arm of the mounting clip. The attached side will normally be closer to the free end of the arms of the mounting clip away from the connecting wall so that the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm extends in a direction generally opposite to the arms of the mounting clip The angle at which the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm extends preferably corresponds to the angle of the wedge-shaped second portion of the body of the mounting peg A return lip is preferably provided at a free end of each peg engagement arm. The return lip is preferably angled relative to the peg engagement arm. The respective return lips are angled away from each other. The transition of the peg engagement arm to the return lip will typically form the narrowed entry. The transition preferably seats in the narrowed neck of the mounting peg between the body and the enlarged head with the peg engagement arm abutting the wedge-shaped second portion of the body (preferably over its length) and the return lip abutting the divergent part of the enlarged head The peg engagement arm is typically shorter than the opening from which it is formed as this will provide for clearance for the enlarged head when engaged.

The mounting peg is preferably provided with a part of an alignment key system provided adjacent thereto. For example, there may be at least one and preferably a pair of elongate keys, one either side of the mounting peg, to be inserted into a respective opening adjacent to the aperture in the structure. Alignment of the elongate keys with the respective openings may assist with mounting the panel and aligning the mounting peg with the mounting clip.

The key formations may taper inwardly from root to tip to help centre the mounting peg on the aperture and the mounting clip The key formation(s) may be provided on the panel or the structure with the corresponding opening(s) provided on the other of the panel or the structure.

The flange of the body of the mounting peg may be shaped to be longer in one dimension than a second, substantially transverse direction In practice, if the enlarged engagement portion of the mounting peg is generally circular the flange may be oval or rectangular for example. If the flange is so shaped, the shaped flange may abut the adjacent alignment fingers when not properly aligned with the aperture for insertion and the shaped flange will typically not abut the alignment fingers or abut with less force when properly aligned with the aperture for insertion This preferred configuration may bias the mounting peg into a properly aligned orientation during rotation which may provide tactile feedback to an operator of the proper alignment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle dashboard including a number of facia panels, each mounted relative to a supporting structure, each panel mounted relative to the supporting structure using an adjustable mounting assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.

The support structure mounting each of the number of panels may be the same supporting structure or a different supporting structure. In other words, all of the panels may be mounted to the same supporting structure or one more panels may be mounted to different supporting structures.

The further aspect of the present invention may comprise any or all of the features of the first aspect of the invention, as desired or as appropriate.

In yet a further aspect, there is provided a vehicle including a number of facia panels, each mounted relative to a supporting structure, each panel mounted relative to the supporting structure using an adjustable mounting assembly according to the first, or further aspects of the invention.

The vehicle may preferably be an automobile.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a partially exploded, axonometric view of an adjustable mounting assembly; Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the mounting peg of the assembly of Figure I from a first angle, Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the mounting peg of Figure 2 from the reverse angle; Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the mounting clip of the assembly of Figure Figure 5 is a side elevation of the mounting clip of Figure 4 and Figure 6 is an exploded, mounting clip view of a vehicle dashboard structure of an automobile showing the adjustable mounting assemblies using on either side of a display screen.

In what follows the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "left" and "right" where used, are used to refer to the invention in the orientation in which it is illustrated which is the orientation in which it is intended to be used, but should not be taken as otherwise limiting The drawings are not to scale.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an adjustable mounting assembly 1 for mounting a panel 3 in a vehicle relative to a structure 40 at a desired separation distance from the structure 40.

IS

The adjustable mounting assembly 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a mounting peg 4 which is to be mounted relative to the rear of the panel 3 As illustrated, the panel 3 has a support 6 that extends from the rear side of the panel. The support 6 has a support body 12 into which an internally threaded bore 14 is provided. A pair of elongate alignment fingers 17 are provided, extending from the support body 12 on either side of the threaded bore 14.

The structure 40 is provided with an aperture 10 into which a mounting clip 8 is fitted. A pair of alignment openings 16 are provided, one on either side of the aperture 10 corresponding to the location of the alignment fingers 17 on the panel 3 such that insertion of the alignment fingers 17 into the alignment openings 16 will align the mounting peg 4 with the aperture 10.

As illustrated, the alignment fingers 17 may taper inwardly from root to tip to help centre the mounting peg 4 on the aperture 10 and the mounting clip 8.

The construction detailed above provides for an adjustable mounting assembly 1 which enables panels 3 to be mounted relative to one another and their relative position to be adjusted by operation of the mounting peg 4. In a preferred form, each panel 3 can be mounted on the structure 40 by releasably engaging the mounting peg 4 with the mounting clip 8 The relative separation of the panel 3 and structure 40 is adjustable by adjusting the position of the mounting peg 4 relative to the panel 3. This will allow, for example, the position of the panel 3 to be adjusted to allow the panel 3 to be mounted flush with adjacent panels to enhance the level of fit and finish, particularly between two or more panels that are independently mounted to the same structure 40.

A preferred form of mounting peg 4 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 2 and 3 The mounting peg 4 includes an elongate, externally threaded shaft 36 and a main engagement part 22 which has a body 26, an enlarged head 24 extending from the body 26, a narrowed neck portion 23 between the body 26 and the enlarged head 24.

As illustrated in the Figures, the body 26, narrowed neck 23 and enlarged head 24 are all typically formed in a single piece, preferably, a moulded component made of a polymeric material. The externally threaded shaft 36 is provided as a second component and the single piece main part 22 is moulded about one end of the externally threaded shaft 36 leaving the opposite end exposed The body 26 preferably has an enlarged flange 20 at an end adjacent to the externally threaded shaft 36 and which radiates outwardly further than the neck 23 or the enlarged head 24 The externally threaded shaft 36 extends from approximately centrally of the enlarged flange 20. The flange 20 preferably has a stop face 21 surrounding the externally threaded shaft 36 which acts to limit the insertion length of the externally threaded shaft 36. As illustrated in Figure 3 in particular, the stop face 21 is substantially planar and typically perpendicular to the externally threaded shaft 36.

In a preferred embodiment illustrated, the main part of the mounting peg 4 has a rectangular body 26 and a wedge-shaped second portion 28 closer to the neck 23.

The rectangular body 26 is normally located adjacent to the flange 20. The rectangular body 26 is preferably provided with a pair of arcuate end walls 27 and a pair of planar, parallel, spaced apart side walls 25.

The rectangular body 26 is preferably part only of the thickness of the flange 20. Preferably, a pair of outer, segment shaped portions 29 are provided on the surface of the flange 20 opposite to the stop face 21 and between the circumferential edge of the flange 20 and each side wall 25. These segment shaped portions 29 are preferably substantially parallel to the stop face 21 and function as abutment surfaces.

In use, when the main part 22 of the mounting peg 4 is inserted into the aperture 10 associated with the mounting clip 8, the segment shaped portions 29 will preferably abut the periphery of the aperture 10 (preferably the abutment flange of the mounting clip) to limit insertion of the main part 22 of the mounting peg 4.

The wedge-shaped second portion 28 will preferably have a pair of convergent side walls 30 extending between the rectangular body 26 to the narrowed neck portion 23 and a pair of convergent end walls 31extending from the arcuate end walls 27 of the rectangular body 26 to the narrowed neck portion 23 The end walls 27 of the rectangular body 26 extend partially over the end of the wedge shaped second portion 28. The convergent side walls 30 and convergent end walls 31 of the wedge shaped second portion 28 both converge towards the neck 23.

In use, the convergent side walls 30 will preferably be closely received, and preferably abut portions of the peg engagement arms 54 on the mounting clip 8 when the mounting peg 4 is fully engaged with the mounting clip 8.

The narrowed neck portion 23 is preferably a short portion defined between the wedge shaped second portion 28 and the end of the enlarged head 24.

The enlarged head 24 has a number of divergent walls 32 extending from the narrowed neck 23 to a thickest portion 33 of the enlarged head. The divergent walls 32 will preferably provide abutment surfaces for the peg engagement arms 54 on the mounting clip 8 when the mounting peg 4 is fully engaged with the mounting clip 8.

The thickest portion 33 of the enlarged head 24 is preferably generally rectangular in shape with a pair of sidewalls that are each substantially parallel to the sidewalls 25 of the body 26 and arcuate end walls.

A convergent portion 34 may be provided on an outermost free end of the enlarged head 24, converging from the thickest portion 33 of the enlarged head 24 to a substantially planar free end surface 35 at the opposite end of the main part to the stop face 21. The convergent portion 34 may assist with smooth deformation of the deformable peg engagement arms on the mounting clip 8 as the mounting peg 4 is forced into the mounting clip 8 The preferred shape of the body 26, neck 23 and enlarged head 24 of the illustrated embodiment, together with a corresponding shape of the peg engagement arms of the mounting clip 8 of the illustrated embodiment, provide multiple points/surfaces of contact between the mounting peg 4 and the peg engagement arms 55 when properly engaged which will typically increase the security of the engagement between the mounting peg 4 and mounting clip 8 and minimise rattling.

One or more indexing formations, such as a notch 37 on the thread may be provided on the elongate threaded shaft 36, typically spaced over the length of the elongate threaded shaft 36. Rotation of the mounting peg 4 will then give tactile and/or audible feedback of each half-turn of the mounting peg 4 to an operator.

In use, the pitch of the thread on the elongate threaded shaft 36 is fixed such that each half turn of the mounting peg 4 will preferably adjust the separation of the enlarged head 24 of the mounting peg 4 from the panel 3 by a predetermined distance (according to the pitch of the thread). This preferably allows an operator to count the rotations and/or half rotations to ascertain the separation distance easily and quickly. Once the number of rotations and/or half rotations required for flush fit have been established, a replacement panel for example, can be fitted by rotating the mounting peg by the same number of rotations and/or half rotations This could be noted in a build record for a particular vehicle for example.

In assembly, the elongate threaded shaft 36 of the mounting peg 4 will preferably be engaged with a correspondingly threaded bore 14 provided on a panel 3 and rotated to an approximate separation distance. The panel 3 is then fitted to the structure 40 and if flush, left in position. Tf not flush, the operator can remove the panel 3 easily, adjust the separation distance by rotation of the mounting peg 4, noting the indexing steps involved, and then refit the panel 3. This process can be repeated until the panel 3 is flush and the final number of rotations and/or half rotations can then be noted.

The mounting clip 8 of a particularly preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. This mounting clip 8 comprises a pair of spaced apart, resiliently deformable mounting arms 48 with a connecting wall 46 linking the mounting arms 48 to space the mounting arms 48 apart. As illustrated, each mounting arm 48 has an abutment flange 52 at an opposite end to the connecting wall 46 to locate the mounting clip 8 relative to the aperture 10 in the dash structure 40.

Each mounting arm 48 also has a resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54 having a home or rest position illustrated in Figure 5 in particular. Each resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54 is angled relative to the mounting arm 48.

In use, a mounting clip 8 will be provided for each mounting peg 4. The mounting clip 8 is fitted within an aperture 10 in the dash structure 40 to which the panel 3 is to be mounted.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the aperture 10 is preferably shaped to correspond to the shape of the body 26 of the mounting peg 4 and once the mounting clip 8 is inserted into the aperture 10, an inner dimension of the mounting clip 8 defined by the inner surfaces of the wall portions in the depression 50 is preferably sized to closely receive the body 26 of the mounting peg 4, preferably abutting the side walls 25 of the body 26 of the mounting peg 4 The resiliently deformable mounting arms 48 of the mounting clip 8 are preferably connected at one end by a connecting wall 46 to form a generally U-shaped mounting clip 8 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Typically, the mounting clip 8 is unitary, formed of a single piece of metal or plastic material with resilient characteristics.

The resiliently deformable mounting arms 48 preferably diverge as they extend away from the connecting wall 46.

As mentioned above, a free end of each resiliently deformable mounting arm 48 of the illustrated embodiment has an abutment flange 52 The abutment flange 52 is angled relative to the plane of the resiliently deformable mounting arm 48, preferably substantially perpendicular to the plane of the resiliently deformable mounting arm 48.

Each abutment flange 2 will preferably extend away from the opposite resiliently deformable mounting arm 48 In use, and in order to fit the mounting clip 8 in the aperture 10, the resiliently deformable mounting arm 48 are forced toward each other, normally manually by an operator, so that the abutment flanges 52 can pass through the aperture 10 and the mounting arms 48 then released so that the abutment flanges 52 abut the surrounds of the aperture 10 to prevent removal (unless deformed again).

The mounting clip 8 may alternatively be inserted into the aperture 10 by inserting the connecting wall 46 first (from an opposite direction to that outlined above) and forcing the mounting clip into the aperture 10, deforming the mounting arms inwardly, until shoulder 53 clears the aperture which will snap-fit the clip relative to the aperture 10.

Each of the resiliently deformable mounting arms 48 will preferably have a stepped or depressed portion 50 provided adjacent to the free end with the abutment flange 52, with the stepped or depressed portion 50 extending in an opposite direction to the abutment flange 52 in order to assist with seating of the mounting clip 8 once attached to the structure 40. As shown, the step or depressed portion 50 is preferably planar and extends across the width of the mounting clip 8.

As mentioned above, the step or depressed portion 50 will assist with seating the mounting clip 8 but will also preferably define planar side edges of an opening into which the body 26 is inserted when the mounting peg 4 is engaged with the mounting clip 8 The mounting peg 4 will preferably abut an inner side of the stepped or depressed portion 50 which will lock the mounting clip 8 in the aperture 10 relative to the structure 40. It will also fix the mounting peg 4 in position once inserted so that the mounting peg 4 cannot rotate.

Each resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54 will preferably be provided relative to a respective resiliently deformable mounting arm 48 of the mounting clip 8 As such, there is typically a pair of resiliently deformable peg engagement arms 54 on each mounting clip 8, one for each mounting arm 48.

In a preferred form, the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54 is formed from the mounting arm 48 of the mounting clip 8, preferably by separation of a portion of the mounting arm 48 about three side edges (to form a rectangular resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54) and bending the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54 inwardly at an angle to the mounting arm 48. The attached part of the peg engagement arm 54 will normally be closer to the free end of the mounting arm 48, and away from the connecting wall 46 so that the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54 extends in a direction generally opposite to the mounting arms 48 of the mounting clip 8.

The angle at which the resiliently deformable peg engagement arm 54 extends from the mounting arm 48 preferably corresponds to the angle of the wedge-shaped second portion 28 of the mounting peg 4 IS A return lip 55 is preferably provided at a free end of each peg engagement arm 54. The return lip 55 is preferably angled relative to the peg engagement arm 54 and the respective return lips 55 are angled away from each other as shown best in Figure 5. The transition of the peg engagement arm 54 to the return lip 55 will typically form a narrowed entry 56 through which the enlarged head 24 of a mounting peg 4 is forced during engagement, causing temporary deformation of the peg engagement arm 54 and engagement of the enlarged head 24 by the respective peg engagement arms 54 once the enlarged head 24 has passed the narrowed entry 56 as the peg engagement arms 54 return toward the home or rest position. The transition also preferably seats in the narrowed neck 23 of the mounting peg 4 with the peg engagement arm 54 abutting the wedge-shaped second portion 28 (preferably over its length) and the return lip 55 abutting the divergent part 23 of the enlarged head 24.

The peg engagement arm 54 is typically shorter than the mounting arm 48 from which it is formed as this will provide for clearance for the enlarged head 24 when engaged.

As shown in Figure 5, each panel 3 may be provided with a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies 1. In this exemplary embodiment, one assembly 1 is provided at each corner of the panel 3. The invention allows the panel 3 to be suitably positioned relative to the structure 40 by suitably positioning the mounting peg 4 relative to the support. The separation of the mounting peg 4 relative to the panel 3 is adjustable using the elongate adjustment shaft 36.

Suitable positioning of the panel 3 relative to the structure 40 may be established so that the installed panel 3 is flush with, or aligned with, adjacent panels or surfaces in the vehicle 18.

The adjustment mechanism 2 may be assembled, and the panel 3 mounted relative to the structure 40, by the following steps.

The adjustment mechanism 2 is assembled by connecting the mounting peg 4 to the support 6. This is achieved by engaging the threaded elongate adjustment shaft 36 of the mounting peg 4 with the threaded bore 14 of the support 6. The mounting peg 4 is movable towards and away from the support 6 by rotating the mounting peg 4. The number of turns given to the mounting peg 4 determines the relative position of the mounting peg 4 and support 6 and feedback is provided by the indexing mechanism.

The, or each, adjustment mechanism 2 of the panel is guided toward the respective aperture 10 with a mounting clip 8 installed therein. The mounting peg 4 may only enter the respective aperture 10 in the structure 40 if the mounting peg 4 is substantially aligned with the aperture 10. During this step, the fingers 17 are also guided toward and enter the respective, adjacent, openings 16.

As the mounting peg 4 is inserted further into the aperture 10, the head portion 24 comes into contact with the inner surfaces of the peg engagement arms 54. Continued movement in this direction causes the peg engagement arms 54 to be forced apart rotating them toward the mounting arms 48. As the head portion 34 clears the narrowed entry 55 formed by the transition of the peg engagement arms 54 to the return lip 55, the peg engagement arms 54 are biased back to their original position to lie against the convergent side walls 30 of the wedge shaped portion 28 of the mounting peg 4, and the return lips 34 engage the divergent walls 32 of the enlarged head 24. In this position, the body portion 26 is positioned in the aperture 10.

Adjustment of the relative position of the mounting peg 4 and the support 6 is prevented as the mounting peg 4 cannot be rotated in the aperture 10.

As previously mentioned, the mounting peg 4 may only enter the respective aperture 10 in the structure 40 if the mounting peg 4 is substantially aligned with the aperture 10. If the main part of the mounting peg and the aperture are both larger in one dimension and smaller in a second dimension, only a discrete number of integer or half integer turns of the mounting peg into the support are acceptable to allow the mounting peg to be inserted into the aperture and clip. Then the notch illustrated, may not be required and the indexing accomplished by counting the number of rotations or half rotations of the mounting peg This is advantageous where panels 3 comprising identical adjustable mounting assemblies 1 are to be mounted in multiple vehicles 18. When the panels 3 are installed in the first vehicle 18, a record may be kept of the number of turns required to suitably position the panels 3 relative to the structure 40 (and consequently to adjacent panels) Monitoring and recording half integer or integer number of turns is straightforward. Installation of the panels in the other vehicles is simplified as the required number of turns are known, and half integer or integer number of turns are readily repeatable The assembly is also highly advantageous where the positioning of a panel 3 must be adjusted. Where a panel 3 is mounted relative to the structure 40 using one or more adjustable mounting assemblies 1, the mounting peg 4 may be released from engagement with the clip 8 by pulling the mounting peg 4 (typically by pulling the panel 3) in a direction substantially away from the clip 8. This pulling force causes the peg engagement arms 54 to be forced apart, rotating them toward the respective side walls 48, until the first head portion 32 is pulled beyond the apexes of the return lips 55. The relative position of the mounting peg 4 and support 6 may be adjusted, and the panel 3 may be remounted to the structure 40 in a more suitable position. The ability to remove the panel 3 from the front is particularly advantageous in the case of a blind fastening operation, where it may be difficult, or even impossible, to access the rear side of the dashboard following assembly.

Figure 6 shows a particular application of the adjustable mounting assembly 10 of an embodiment. In Figure 6, a plurality of adjustable mounting assemblies 10 are used to mount a dashboard panel 3 relative to a dashboard structure 40.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adjustable mounting assembly for mounting components relative to one another, the assembly comprising an adjustment mechanism comprising a mounting peg movably connected to a support, enabling the relative position of the mounting peg and support to be adjusted, the mounting peg being configured to engage with a complementary fitting mounted relative to a structure.
2. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim t wherein the mounting peg comprises an elongate adjustment member and an enlarged engagement portion configured to engage with the complementary fitting.
3. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the enlarged engagement portion comprises a body, an enlarged head extending from the body, a narrowed neck portion between the body and the enlarged head.
4. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 further including at least one mounting clip to engage with each at least one mounting peg.
5. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one mounting clip comprises a pair of spaced apart, resiliently deformable mounting arms with a connecting wall linking the arms to space the arms apart.
6. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein each mounting arm comprises at least one abutment flange at an opposite end to the connecting wall to locate the mounting clip.
7. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim S or claim 6 wherein each mounting arm comprises at least one resiliently deformable peg engagement arm having a home position, the at least one resiliently deformable peg engagement arm angled relative to the at least one deformable arm.
8. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the respective resiliently deformable peg engagement arms together define a narrowed entry through which the enlarged head of a mounting is forced during engagement, causing temporary deformation of the peg engagement arm and engagement of the enlarged head by the respective peg engagement arms once the enlarged head has passed the narrowed entry as the peg engagement arms return toward the home position.
9. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein the body, narrowed neck portion and enlarged head are formed in one piece.
10. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein the body has an enlarged flange adjacent to the elongate adjustment member and which radiates outwardly further than the narrowed neck portion or the enlarged head.
11. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein the body has a rectangular first portion adjacent to the enlarged flange and a wedge-shaped second portion between the first portion and the narrowed neck portion.
12. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first portion is part only of the thickness of the enlarged flange with a pair of outer, segment shaped abutment portions provided on a surface of the enlarged flange opposite to the elongate adjustment member and between a circumferential edge of the elongate flange the first portion.
13. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the wedge-shaped second portion has a pair of convergent walls extending between the first portion to the narrowed neck portion.
14. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the narrowed neck portion is defined between the wedge-shaped second portion of the body and the enlarged head.
15. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein a number of divergent walls, diverging from the narrowed neck portion are provided to define the shape of the enlarged head, at least some of the divergent walls providing abutment surfaces for the peg engagement arms on the mounting clip when the mounting peg is frilly engaged with the mounting clip.
16. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 15 wherein a convergent portion is provided relative to an outermost free end of the enlarged head to assist with smooth deformation of the deformable peg engagement arms on the mounting clip as the mounting peg is forced into the mounting clip.
17. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16 wherein the elongate adjustment member is a threaded member.
18. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the resiliently deformable mounting arms of the mounting clip diverge as they extend away from the connecting wall.
19. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein each resiliently deformable peg engagement arm comprises a return lip provided at a free end of each peg engagement arm, angled relative to the peg engagement arm.
20. An adjustable mounting assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the respective return lips are angled away from each other forming a transition, the transition of the respective return lips forming a narrowed entry.
21. A vehicle dashboard including a number of facia panels, each mounted relative to a supporting structure, each panel mounted relative to the supporting structure using a number of adjustable mounting assemblies according to any one of the preceding claims.
22. A vehicle dashboard as claimed in claim 21 including multiple adjustable mounting assemblies, each adjustable mounting assembly comprising a mounting clip provided for each mounting peg.
23 A vehicle dashboard as claimed in claim 22 wherein the mounting clip of each adjustable mounting assembly is mounted into to an aperture in the structure.
24. A vehicle dashboard as claimed in claim 25 wherein the structure further includes at least one alignment opening adjacent to the aperture and the panel includes at least one elongate key adjacent to the opening into which the elongate adjustment member of the mounting peg is fitted to be inserted into the at least one alignment opening when mounting the panel to align the mounting peg with the mounting clip.
25. A vehicle induding an adjustable mounting assembly according to any one of claims Ito 20.