US3769662A - Vinyl top retainer assembly - Google Patents

Vinyl top retainer assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3769662A
US3769662A US00270093A US3769662DA US3769662A US 3769662 A US3769662 A US 3769662A US 00270093 A US00270093 A US 00270093A US 3769662D A US3769662D A US 3769662DA US 3769662 A US3769662 A US 3769662A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
strip
sheet
vinyl
studs
support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00270093A
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English (en)
Inventor
E Meyer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Emhart Industries Inc
Original Assignee
USM Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by USM Corp filed Critical USM Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3769662A publication Critical patent/US3769662A/en
Assigned to EMHART INDUSTRIES, INC. reassignment EMHART INDUSTRIES, INC. MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EMHART ENTERPRISES CORP., A NJ CORP.
Assigned to EMHART ENTERPRISES CORP. reassignment EMHART ENTERPRISES CORP. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE DATE: MAY 8, 1987 Assignors: USM CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
    • F16B5/06—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips
    • F16B5/0692—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining flexible sheets to other sheets or plates or to strips or bars
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/04—External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/30—Trim molding fastener
    • Y10T24/309—Plastic type

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A fastener assembly for retaining a flexible sheet of vinyl or the like to a relatively rigid supporting surface such as the roof of an automobile, comprising an elongate strip of longitudinally curved resilient material having a plurality of spaced prongs or barbs along the convex surface thereof and a pair of studs upstanding from the support surface, with the strip having means adjacent opposite ends thereof for engaging the studs to tension the strip against the vinyl sheet.
  • This invention lies generally in the field of fastener assemblies, and more particularly is directed to a fastener assembly for retaining a flexible sheet of material in position overlying a relatively rigid support surface.
  • the invention has particular utility in the automotive field wherein a relatively thin sheet of vinyl is secured to the sheet metal roof of the vehicle. These so-called vinyl tops are adhesively secured to the sheet metal surface of the vehicle and as the vinyl sheet is stretched considerably during its application to provide a wrinkle-free surface, there is a tendency for the vinyl to shrink somewhat before the adhesive becomes completely cured.
  • the fastener assembly of the instant invention is applied along the marginal edges of the vinyl sheet to retain the sheet in predetermined position and prevent shrinkage thereof during drying of the adhesive.
  • the instant fastener assembly has been provided which positively retains the vinyl sheet and is hidden within the molding strip to provide a finished assembly.
  • a fastener assembly for securing a flexible sheet material to a relatively rigid support surface comprising at least one retaining means including an elongate strip of resilient material having a plurality of sharp-edged sheet-engaging portions overlying the flexible sheet and engaging the surface thereof, and a pair of studs upstanding from the support adjacent opposite ends of the strip and engaging the strip to tension it towards the panel surface to maintain the engagement of the sharp edge portions of the strip with the flexible sheet.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of an automobile showing a vinyl top overlying a portion of the vehicle roof, with a fastener assembly embodying the invention positioned along the marginal edge of the vinyl sheet to retain it in proper position;
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the vehicle roof and a marginal edge of the vinyl sheet showing the fastener assembly of the invention retaining the sheet to the roof surface;
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 33 and 44 respectively of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the fastener strip shown in the remaining Figures.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown in perspective the upper portion of an automobile 20 having a sheet metal roof 22 of the type commonly referred to as a Landau roof, the forward portion 24 of which is painted, and the rear portion 26 of which is coveredby a relatively thin, flexible sheet of vinyl material.
  • the vinyl sheet 26 is stretched over the sheet metal roof of the vehicle, and is adhesively secured thereto.
  • one generally accepted method is to position the vinyl sheet in place on the roof, then to fold the sheet in half upon itself and apply adhesive to the thus exposed surface of the roof and one-half of the vinyl, then to fold the vinyl sheet back over the adhesive on the roof and stretch it over that half of the roofs surface, and thereafter perform the same steps on the other half of the vinyl sheet.
  • the edges of the vinyl sheet are then trimmed, and molding strips such as shown at 28, 30, 32 and 34 in FIG. 1 are secured to the vehicle body overlying the exposed marginal edges of the vinyl sheet 26.
  • the fastener assembly to be described is provided and is positioned along the marginal edges of the vinyl strip and is thereafter covered by the molding.
  • the following description will be specifically directed to the provision of the fastener assembly along the marginal edge of the vinyl sheet covered by the molding 34, although it is to be understood that the same structure could be utilized in the identical manner for securing the remaining edges of the vinyl, i.e. those underlying the molding strips 28, 30 and 32.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown in section the sheet metal panel 24 forming the roof of the vehicle to which there is adhesively secured a thin flexible sheet of vinyl material 26.
  • a thin flexible sheet of vinyl material 26 Upstanding from the surface of the panel 24 in spaced-apart relation there are a pair of T- shaped studs or buttons 36, each having a shank 38 secured as by welding to the panel, and an enlarged head portion 40 lying in spaced, generally parallel relation to the surface of the panel 24.
  • the vinyl sheet is adhesively secured to the panel 24, and is apertured in predetermined locations adjacent its marginal edges to be receivable over the studs 36 as shown.
  • the marginal edge of the vinyl sheet 26 may be slit or punctured to closely fit around the shank of the studs 36 to provide a smooth exposed vinyl surface right up to the stud shanks.
  • a retaining means in the form of an elongate strip 42 made of a resilient material such as spring steel or the like.
  • the strip 42 is longitudinally curved, as shown in FIG. 2, and is provided intermediate its opposite ends with a plurality of spaced-apart prongs, barbs or the like 44 engaging the vinyl sheet 26.
  • the prongs project from the convex surface of the strip 42, and may be formed by punching small holes such as indicated at 46 in FIG. from the strip, and displacing the strip material at the marginal edges of the holes out of the plane of the strip to form sharp edges which will bite into the surface of the vinyl sheet 26.
  • the strip 42 has a longitudinal slot 50 opening through one end thereof, and an elongate aperture 52 adjacent its opposite end.
  • the slot 50 is just wide enough to accommodate the shank 38 of a stud 36 and defines a pair of spaced parallel legs 54 and 56 which engage beneath the head 40 of the stud.
  • Opposite longitudinally extending marginal edges of the aperture 52 are displaced out of the plane of the strip 42 to provide a pair of inclined ramps 58 and 60 extending upwardly away from the concave side of the strip as shown most clearly in FIG. 4.
  • the material of the strip is sufficiently resilient so that the ramp portions 58 and 60 may be forced down over the head 40 of stud 36, the ramp portions thereafter springing back into the position shown in FIG. 4 to maintain a locking engagement of the strip on the stud by engaging against the underside of the stud head 40.
  • the studs 36 are welded in predetermined spaced relation to the vehicle roof 22, using a suitable fixture (not shown) to insure proper location and spacing.
  • the vinyl sheet 26 is next adhesively secured to the surface of the roof 26, using the procedure described hereinbefore, or in any other suitable fashion, and slits or apertures are formed adjacent the sheet marginal edges for reception of the studs 36 in a fashion that insures that the vinyl material closely embraces the shank 38 of each stud as shown in FIG. 4.
  • a plurality of the strips 42 are then applied along the marginal edge of the vinyl sheet to retain the sheet.
  • each strip 42 In applying each strip 42, the slotted end 50 of the strip is slid onto the shank 38 of one of the studs 36, and the apertured portion 52 of the strip is forced down over the head 40 of the opposite stud until the ramp portions 58 and 60 lock under the stud head as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the strip 42 is sufficiently curved so that when the opposite ends thereof are engaged beneath the heads 40 of the studs 36, the prongs or barbs 34 of the strip engage and bite into the exposed surface of the vinyl sheet 26 as shown at 48 in FIG. 3, the strip being tensioned against the sheet by engagement under the stud heads 40.
  • a series of the strips 42 are shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1 applied along the marginal edge of the vinyl sheet 26.
  • the hollow molding strip 62 is applied in overlying relation to the marginal edge of the sheet 26 covering the fastener assemblies and the edge of the sheet to hide them from view.
  • the molding strip 62 may be secured in any convenient fashion, such as by a fastener as shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,239,988 or U. S. Pat. No. 3,367,082 for example.
  • a fastener assembly comprising a support defining a relatively inflexible panel surface, a sheet of relatively thin flexible material overlying said support in intimate contact with the panel surface, and at least one retaining means coupled to said support for retaining said sheet in a predetermined position with respect to said panel surface, said retaining means comprising an elongate, longitudinally curved strip of resilient material having a plurality of sharp-edged sheet engaging portions displaced from the strip on the convex side thereof facing the panel surface and projecting into the exposed surface of the flexible sheet allowing a marginal edge of said sheet, and a pair of spaced-apart studs each having a shank secured to the support and a head spaced from the support panel surface, said elongate strip having portions engaged beneath the heads of said studs, thereby tensioning the strip against said flexible sheet.
  • a fastener assembly as defined in claim I characterized in that said strip is provided with a longitudinal slot opening through one end thereof and an elongate aperture adjacent the opposite end thereof, said slot and aperture each defining marginal edges bearing against the stud head surface facing said support to retain the strip.
  • a fastener assembly as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said aperture has opposite longitudinally extending marginal edge portions displaced upwardly from the concave face of the strip, said edge portions being resiliently deformable for reception of the stud head therebetween.
  • a fastener assembly as defined in claim 2 characterized in that the distance between the adjacent ends of said slot and aperture is greater than the distance between said studs, and the distance between the outer end of the slot and the inner end of the aperture is less than the distance between said studs.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
US00270093A 1972-07-10 1972-07-10 Vinyl top retainer assembly Expired - Lifetime US3769662A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27009372A 1972-07-10 1972-07-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3769662A true US3769662A (en) 1973-11-06

Family

ID=23029884

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00270093A Expired - Lifetime US3769662A (en) 1972-07-10 1972-07-10 Vinyl top retainer assembly

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3769662A (es)
JP (1) JPS4943317A (es)
BR (1) BR7305154D0 (es)
CA (1) CA986552A (es)
DE (1) DE2333805A1 (es)
ES (1) ES417194A1 (es)
FR (1) FR2244371A5 (es)
GB (1) GB1431459A (es)
IT (1) IT991055B (es)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8910987B1 (en) * 2013-10-18 2014-12-16 Nissan North America, Inc. Vehicle body trim structure

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US617208A (en) * 1899-01-03 Step-covering for stairways
GB418528A (en) * 1933-06-19 1934-10-26 Albert Applegate Improvements in or relating to stair rods
CH235631A (de) * 1942-08-24 1944-12-15 Bisterfeld Rudolf Durchzugsschnalle.
US2390851A (en) * 1942-04-08 1945-12-11 Smart James Device for securing stair carpet and analogous uses
US2487571A (en) * 1945-08-01 1949-11-08 Lockheed Aircraft Corp Combined fastener and stretcher for carpeting and the like
US2950513A (en) * 1957-01-17 1960-08-30 United Carr Fastener Corp Fastening device
US3473283A (en) * 1968-01-25 1969-10-21 Warren Fastener Corp Structural assembly and clip
US3505772A (en) * 1969-04-17 1970-04-14 Gen Motors Corp Retainer including two interfitting parts

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US617208A (en) * 1899-01-03 Step-covering for stairways
GB418528A (en) * 1933-06-19 1934-10-26 Albert Applegate Improvements in or relating to stair rods
US2390851A (en) * 1942-04-08 1945-12-11 Smart James Device for securing stair carpet and analogous uses
CH235631A (de) * 1942-08-24 1944-12-15 Bisterfeld Rudolf Durchzugsschnalle.
US2487571A (en) * 1945-08-01 1949-11-08 Lockheed Aircraft Corp Combined fastener and stretcher for carpeting and the like
US2950513A (en) * 1957-01-17 1960-08-30 United Carr Fastener Corp Fastening device
US3473283A (en) * 1968-01-25 1969-10-21 Warren Fastener Corp Structural assembly and clip
US3505772A (en) * 1969-04-17 1970-04-14 Gen Motors Corp Retainer including two interfitting parts

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8910987B1 (en) * 2013-10-18 2014-12-16 Nissan North America, Inc. Vehicle body trim structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES417194A1 (es) 1976-03-01
BR7305154D0 (pt) 1974-08-15
JPS4943317A (es) 1974-04-24
DE2333805A1 (de) 1974-01-24
CA986552A (en) 1976-03-30
GB1431459A (en) 1976-04-07
AU5787873A (en) 1975-01-09
IT991055B (it) 1975-07-30
FR2244371A5 (es) 1975-04-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: EMHART INDUSTRIES, INC.,CONNECTICUT

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:EMHART ENTERPRISES CORP., A NJ CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004870/0112

Effective date: 19871216

Owner name: EMHART ENTERPRISES CORP.

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:USM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004876/0901

Effective date: 19871104

Owner name: EMHART INDUSTRIES, INC., A CONNECTICUT STOCK CORP.

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:EMHART ENTERPRISES CORP., A NJ CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004870/0112

Effective date: 19871216