WO1996030657A1 - Fixing arrangement for a motor vehicle panel - Google Patents

Fixing arrangement for a motor vehicle panel Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996030657A1
WO1996030657A1 PCT/GB1996/000633 GB9600633W WO9630657A1 WO 1996030657 A1 WO1996030657 A1 WO 1996030657A1 GB 9600633 W GB9600633 W GB 9600633W WO 9630657 A1 WO9630657 A1 WO 9630657A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
panel
retainer
aperture
motor vehicle
fixing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/000633
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christopher Hennegan
Original Assignee
Rover Group Limited
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 Rover Group Limited filed Critical Rover Group Limited
Publication of WO1996030657A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996030657A1/en

Links

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
    • F16B33/00—Features common to bolt and nut
    • F16B33/002—Means for preventing rotation of screw-threaded elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D29/00—Superstructures, understructures, or sub-units thereof, characterised by the material thereof
    • B62D29/04—Superstructures, understructures, or sub-units thereof, characterised by the material thereof predominantly of synthetic material
    • B62D29/048—Connections therefor, e.g. joints
    • 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
    • F16B5/02—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of fastening members using screw-thread
    • F16B5/0216—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of fastening members using screw-thread the position of the plates to be connected being adjustable
    • F16B5/0225—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of fastening members using screw-thread the position of the plates to be connected being adjustable allowing for adjustment parallel to the plane of the plates
    • 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
    • F16B5/02—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of fastening members using screw-thread
    • F16B5/0241—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of fastening members using screw-thread with the possibility for the connection to absorb deformation, e.g. thermal or vibrational

Definitions

  • fixing holes can be provided in the panel for receiving a fastener such as a bolt which can screw into an anchor nut or the like on the mounting.
  • a fastener such as a bolt which can screw into an anchor nut or the like on the mounting.
  • the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the panel and the mounting are substantially the same, variation in temperature will not create any misalignment between the fixing holes and the anchor nuts.
  • changes in temperature can result in fixing holes in the panel becoming misaligned with the anchor nuts on the mounting.
  • changes in temperature can result in distortion of the panel once it has been fastened in position. The problem is particularly noticeable where a body panel of plastics material is fixed to a metal mounting on the vehicle.
  • a fixing arrangement for a vehicle body panel has been proposed in EP-A-0 346 237.
  • the fixing arrangement comprises a panel formed with an elongate aperture, a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions in the plane of the panel prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture after fixing.
  • the retainer comprises a plate having two spaced apart downwardly projecting elongate lugs thereon.
  • the lugs fit into and extend in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel and prevent the plate from turning relative to the panel.
  • the elongate lugs occupy a considerable length of the elongate aperture in the panel. Therefore, the lugs themselves place a significant limitation on the amount of relative movement that can occur between the mounting and the panel unless the elongate aperture is made substantially longer than the lugs which can be undesirable.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement which will help to avoid the foregoing problem.
  • a motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement comprising a panel formed with an elongate aperture, a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions in the plane of the panel prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel after fixing, Characterised in that the aperture in the retainer is formed in the projection, the projection and the aperture therein are elongate and, in use, extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel and the panel has thereon a surface which co-operates with a surface of the retainer to prevent the retainer turning relative to the panel.
  • the said surface on the panel may simply comprise a surface of a projection on the panel. Two such projections may be provided spaced apart on the panel. Conveniently, the or each said surface may co-operate with an adjacent edge of the retainer to prevent the retainer from turning relative to the panel.
  • the elongate projection of the retainer has enc sections, which may be of rounded form and which, in use, preferably lie closely adjacent opposite edges of the elongate aperture in the panel to inhibit sliding movement of the panel relative to the counting except in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the
  • the plate formed with the downwardly projecting lugs also has extending therefrom two resilient sections which provide elongate contact surfaces arranged to effect resilient gripping of the panel.
  • Such elongate contact surfaces do not easily accommodate any curvature or unevenness in the part of the panel to be gripped by the elongate surfaces.
  • We propose to reduce that particular problem by providing the retainer with spaced apart resilient fingers on two opposite sides of the aperture in the retainer so that the fingers can effect resilient gripping of the panel at several spaced apart positions. For example, if four resilient fingers are provided, it is possible to ensure effective resilient gripping of the panel at four spaced apart positions which is most useful.
  • a motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement comprising a panel formed with an elongate aperture, a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel after fixing characterised in that the retainer comprises a device having spaced apart resilient fingers on two opposite sides of the aperture in the retainer, said fingers being arranged to effect resilient gripping of the panel at spaced apart positions. The spaced apart fingers preferably extend away from the aperture in the retainer.
  • the retainer may be formed from sheet material, for example sheet metal, which is formed to define the spaced apart fingers.
  • the retainer may be formed with a section in which the aperture is formed with the spaced apart fingers extending away from the section. Conveniently, the section may comprise a mid-section of the retainer.
  • the fingers may conveniently be bent so as to be inclined to the said mid- section from which they extend. If the retainer is formed from sheet metal, the fingers can be bent cut of the plane of the sheet metal mid-section.
  • the fingers are preferably arranged to grip the panel at positions which lie beyond opposite sides of the elongate slot formed therein.
  • each of the fingers preferably has thereon a protrusion to provide substantially point contact with the panel.
  • the retainer has a projection thereon for insertion into the elongate aperture in the panel.
  • the projection en the retainer comprises a downwardly projecting continuous wall on the retainer which may have a lower surface in which the elongate aperture of the retainer is formed.
  • a fixing device for a motor vehicle panel formed with an elongate fixing aperture comprising a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions in the plane of the panel prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel after fixing, characterised in that the aperture in the retainer is formed in the projection, the projection and the aperture therein are elongate and, in use, extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture and the retainer has a surface which, in use, co-operates with part of the panel to prevent the retainer turning relative to the panel.
  • Fig 1 is a perspective view of part of a vehicle front wing showing an exploded view of parts of the fixing arrangement
  • Fig 2 is a perspective view drawn to a large scale of a retainer for the fixing arrangement shown in Fig 1,
  • Fig 3 is part of a plan view of the retainer shown in Fig 2 in a fixing position
  • Fig 4 is a cross section through the arrangement shown in Fig 3 on the line IV- IV in Fig 3,
  • Fig 3 is a cross section through the arrangement shown in Fig 3 on the line V-V in Fig 3,
  • Fig 6 is a view of the retainer shown in Fig 3 looking in the direction of arrow VI in Fig 3 and
  • Fig 7 is a view similar to Fig 5 but showing the way in which a fixing arrangement as described in EP-A-0 346 237 would grip the panel in similar circumstances.
  • a vehicle wing 10 which in the embodiment shown is formed from a plastics material, has a fixing section 11 secured to a section 12 of a metal chassis by a fixing arrangement which comprises a plurality of retainers 14.
  • Each retainer 14 is formed from sheet metal.
  • each retainer 14 comprises a flat central section 16 which has a central downwardly directed elongate projection 18.
  • the projection 18 has a continuous wall 20 and a lower surface 22 formed with an elongate aperture 24.
  • Four resilient fingers 26 extend from the central section 16 and are bent downwardly out of the plane of the central section.
  • Each of the fingers 26 has an upwardly curved free end 23 and at the lowest point of the curved section 28 a downwardly directed protrusion 30 is formed.
  • the fingers 26 are conveniently produced by forming spaced apart slits 32 in a rectangular sheet from which the retainer 14 is made.
  • Two central fingers 34 are defined between the slits 32 and are left in the plane of the central section 16.
  • the wing 10 is formed with elongate slots 36 and, as shown in Figs 3 to 5, the projection 19 fits into one of the slots 36 so as to extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the slot 36.
  • the continuous wall 20 has rounded ends 35 which lie closely adjacent opposed edges 40 of the slot 36 to prevent any substantial movement of the panel 10 relative to the retainer 14 in the directions indicated by arrows Y in Fig 3.
  • the panel 10 is formed with two spaced apart upward projections 42 which make contact with an adjacent edge 44 of the retainer 14 when the projection 18 is positioned in the elongate slot 35. It will be appreciated that the two projections 42 will prevent turning of the retainer 14 when the projection 18 is positioned in the elongate slot 36.
  • a shank 46 of a screw threaded fastener 48 can be passed through the apertures 24 and 36 and is also passed through an aperture 50 in the chassis section 12 so as to screw into an anchor nut 52 secured to the chassis section 12.
  • the elongate aperture 24 will permit movement of the panel 10 relative to the chassis section 12 in the directions Y shown in Fig 2.
  • the elongate slot 36 will permit movement of the panel 10 relative to the chassis section 12 in the directions X shown in Fig 3.
  • the fastener 48 is tightened so that a shoulder 49 thereon urges the retainer 14 towards the chassis section 12.
  • the protrusions 30 rest on the fixing section 11 of the panel 10 with the lower surface 22 of the projection 18 vertically spaced from the chassis section 12.
  • the load from the shoulder 49 of the fastener forces the lower surface 22 of the projection 18 downwardly towards the chassis section 12 causing the fingers 23 to bend upwardly and apply a firm resilient grip to the fixing section 11 of the panel 10.
  • the fastener 48 urges the lower surface 22 of the projection 18 firmly against the chassis section 12 thereby preventing further movement of the retainer 14 in the X or Y directions.
  • the fingers 26 make contact with the panel section 11 on portions of the panel section on opposite sides of the slot 36. In that way, contact with the panel section 11 is maintained even at extremes of relative movement between the chassis section 12 and the panel 13. As the fingers 34 are not bent downwardly out of the plane of the central section 16, they will not interfere with the ends of the slot 36 even where one end indicated at 36a in Fig 3 may be positioned at one extreme beyond the free end of the adjacent middle finger 34.
  • the fixing arrangement in accordance with the invention will limit relative movement between the panel 10 and the chassis section 12 to the directions X once the fastener 48 has been fully tightened, the ends 38 of the projection 18 preventing relative movement between the chassis section 12 and the panel 10 in the Y directions shown in Fig 3.
  • Figs 6 and 7 illustrate the advantages of having spaced apart fingers 25 on the retainer 14. Where the upper surface of the fixing section 11 of the panel 10 is slightly uneven, the spaced apart fingers 25 will still effect point contact at four positions with surface. Where an arrangement of the kind shown in EP-A-0 346 237 is used as shown in Fig 7, there is a risk that there will be contact at a reduced number of locations in view of the fact that elongate contact surfaces 60 are utilised. In Fig 7 contact occurs only at a region 61.

Abstract

The panel fixing arrangement comprises a panel (10) formed with an elongate aperture (36) and a retainer (14) having a projection (18) insertable in the elongate aperture (36). The retainer (14) is formed with an aperture (24) for receiving a fastener (48) which extends through the apertures (24, 36) for fixing the panel (10) to a chassis section (12) of the vehicle. The two apertures (24, 36) are arranged to permit movement of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) in two or more different directions (X, Y) prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) only in the longitudinal direction (X) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10) after fixing. The aperture (24) in the retainer (14) is formed in the projection (18). The projection (18) and the aperture (24) therein are elongate and, in use, extend transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10). The panel (10) has thereon a more or more stop surfaces (42) which co-operate with a surface (44:62) of the retainer (14) to prevent the retainer (14) turning relative to the panel (10).

Description

FIXING ARRANGEMENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE PANEL
The invention relates to a fixing arrangement for a motor vehicle panel and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a fixing arrangement for fixing a vehicle body panel to a support having a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion.
When fixing a body panel to a mounting, fixing holes can be provided in the panel for receiving a fastener such as a bolt which can screw into an anchor nut or the like on the mounting. Where the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the panel and the mounting are substantially the same, variation in temperature will not create any misalignment between the fixing holes and the anchor nuts. However, where the panel has a different coefficient of linear thermal expansion, changes in temperature can result in fixing holes in the panel becoming misaligned with the anchor nuts on the mounting. Also, such changes in temperature can result in distortion of the panel once it has been fastened in position. The problem is particularly noticeable where a body panel of plastics material is fixed to a metal mounting on the vehicle.
A fixing arrangement for a vehicle body panel has been proposed in EP-A-0 346 237. The fixing arrangement comprises a panel formed with an elongate aperture, a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions in the plane of the panel prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture after fixing.
In EP-A-0 346 237, the retainer comprises a plate having two spaced apart downwardly projecting elongate lugs thereon. The lugs fit into and extend in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel and prevent the plate from turning relative to the panel. Whilst the arrangement described in EP-A-0 346 237 will permit movement of the panel in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture after the panel has beer, fixed in position, the elongate lugs occupy a considerable length of the elongate aperture in the panel. Therefore, the lugs themselves place a significant limitation on the amount of relative movement that can occur between the mounting and the panel unless the elongate aperture is made substantially longer than the lugs which can be undesirable.
An object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement which will help to avoid the foregoing problem. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement comprising a panel formed with an elongate aperture, a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions in the plane of the panel prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel after fixing, Characterised in that the aperture in the retainer is formed in the projection, the projection and the aperture therein are elongate and, in use, extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel and the panel has thereon a surface which co-operates with a surface of the retainer to prevent the retainer turning relative to the panel. By using a projection which extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel, such a fixing arrangement will accommodate greater movement of the panel relative to the mounting for an elongate aperture in the panel of given length than can be accommodated by the fixing arrangement disclosed in EP-A-346 237. As the panel to be secured by the fixing arrangement is likely to be made of a moulded plastics material, the stop surface on the panel can easily be produced during a moulding process for the panel.
The said surface on the panel may simply comprise a surface of a projection on the panel. Two such projections may be provided spaced apart on the panel. Conveniently, the or each said surface may co-operate with an adjacent edge of the retainer to prevent the retainer from turning relative to the panel.
The elongate projection of the retainer has enc sections, which may be of rounded form and which, in use, preferably lie closely adjacent opposite edges of the elongate aperture in the panel to inhibit sliding movement of the panel relative to the counting except in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the
In EP-A-0 346 227, the plate formed with the downwardly projecting lugs also has extending therefrom two resilient sections which provide elongate contact surfaces arranged to effect resilient gripping of the panel. Such elongate contact surfaces do not easily accommodate any curvature or unevenness in the part of the panel to be gripped by the elongate surfaces. We propose to reduce that particular problem by providing the retainer with spaced apart resilient fingers on two opposite sides of the aperture in the retainer so that the fingers can effect resilient gripping of the panel at several spaced apart positions. For example, if four resilient fingers are provided, it is possible to ensure effective resilient gripping of the panel at four spaced apart positions which is most useful.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement comprising a panel formed with an elongate aperture, a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel after fixing characterised in that the retainer comprises a device having spaced apart resilient fingers on two opposite sides of the aperture in the retainer, said fingers being arranged to effect resilient gripping of the panel at spaced apart positions. The spaced apart fingers preferably extend away from the aperture in the retainer.
The retainer may be formed from sheet material, for example sheet metal, which is formed to define the spaced apart fingers. The retainer may be formed with a section in which the aperture is formed with the spaced apart fingers extending away from the section. Conveniently, the section may comprise a mid-section of the retainer. The fingers may conveniently be bent so as to be inclined to the said mid- section from which they extend. If the retainer is formed from sheet metal, the fingers can be bent cut of the plane of the sheet metal mid-section.
The fingers are preferably arranged to grip the panel at positions which lie beyond opposite sides of the elongate slot formed therein.
To improve gripping of the panel, each of the fingers preferably has thereon a protrusion to provide substantially point contact with the panel. As set out above in relation to the present invention, the retainer has a projection thereon for insertion into the elongate aperture in the panel. Preferably, the projection en the retainer comprises a downwardly projecting continuous wall on the retainer which may have a lower surface in which the elongate aperture of the retainer is formed.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a fixing device for a motor vehicle panel formed with an elongate fixing aperture, the fixing device comprising a retainer having a projection insertable in the aperture, the retainer being formed with an aperture for receiving a fastener which, in use, extends through the apertures for fixing the panel to a mounting, the two apertures being arranged to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting in two or more different directions in the plane of the panel prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel relative to the mounting only in the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture in the panel after fixing, characterised in that the aperture in the retainer is formed in the projection, the projection and the aperture therein are elongate and, in use, extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture and the retainer has a surface which, in use, co-operates with part of the panel to prevent the retainer turning relative to the panel.
The fixing device set out in the previous paragraph may have the features of the retainer referred to in any of the consistory clauses relating to the aforesaid first aspect of the invention. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig 1 is a perspective view of part of a vehicle front wing showing an exploded view of parts of the fixing arrangement Fig 2 is a perspective view drawn to a large scale of a retainer for the fixing arrangement shown in Fig 1,
Fig 3 is part of a plan view of the retainer shown in Fig 2 in a fixing position,
Fig 4 is a cross section through the arrangement shown in Fig 3 on the line IV- IV in Fig 3,
Fig 3 is a cross section through the arrangement shown in Fig 3 on the line V-V in Fig 3,
Fig 6 is a view of the retainer shown in Fig 3 looking in the direction of arrow VI in Fig 3 and
Fig 7 is a view similar to Fig 5 but showing the way in which a fixing arrangement as described in EP-A-0 346 237 would grip the panel in similar circumstances.
Referring to Fig 1, a vehicle wing 10, which in the embodiment shown is formed from a plastics material, has a fixing section 11 secured to a section 12 of a metal chassis by a fixing arrangement which comprises a plurality of retainers 14. Each retainer 14 is formed from sheet metal. Looking at Fig 2, each retainer 14 comprises a flat central section 16 which has a central downwardly directed elongate projection 18. The projection 18 has a continuous wall 20 and a lower surface 22 formed with an elongate aperture 24. Four resilient fingers 26 extend from the central section 16 and are bent downwardly out of the plane of the central section. Each of the fingers 26 has an upwardly curved free end 23 and at the lowest point of the curved section 28 a downwardly directed protrusion 30 is formed. The fingers 26 are conveniently produced by forming spaced apart slits 32 in a rectangular sheet from which the retainer 14 is made. Two central fingers 34 are defined between the slits 32 and are left in the plane of the central section 16.
As will be appreciated from Fig 1, the wing 10 is formed with elongate slots 36 and, as shown in Figs 3 to 5, the projection 19 fits into one of the slots 36 so as to extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the slot 36. It will be noted that the continuous wall 20 has rounded ends 35 which lie closely adjacent opposed edges 40 of the slot 36 to prevent any substantial movement of the panel 10 relative to the retainer 14 in the directions indicated by arrows Y in Fig 3. It will be noted that the panel 10 is formed with two spaced apart upward projections 42 which make contact with an adjacent edge 44 of the retainer 14 when the projection 18 is positioned in the elongate slot 35. It will be appreciated that the two projections 42 will prevent turning of the retainer 14 when the projection 18 is positioned in the elongate slot 36.
Once the retainer 14 has been placed in the position shown in Fig 3, a shank 46 of a screw threaded fastener 48 can be passed through the apertures 24 and 36 and is also passed through an aperture 50 in the chassis section 12 so as to screw into an anchor nut 52 secured to the chassis section 12. Once the fastener 48 has been screwed lightly in position, the elongate aperture 24 will permit movement of the panel 10 relative to the chassis section 12 in the directions Y shown in Fig 2. Also, the elongate slot 36 will permit movement of the panel 10 relative to the chassis section 12 in the directions X shown in Fig 3. Once the panel 13 has been correctly adjusted in directions X, Y relative to the chassis section 12, the fastener 48 is tightened so that a shoulder 49 thereon urges the retainer 14 towards the chassis section 12. Prior to the fastener 48 being tightened, the protrusions 30 rest on the fixing section 11 of the panel 10 with the lower surface 22 of the projection 18 vertically spaced from the chassis section 12. As the fastener 48 is tightened, the load from the shoulder 49 of the fastener forces the lower surface 22 of the projection 18 downwardly towards the chassis section 12 causing the fingers 23 to bend upwardly and apply a firm resilient grip to the fixing section 11 of the panel 10. Eventually, the fastener 48 urges the lower surface 22 of the projection 18 firmly against the chassis section 12 thereby preventing further movement of the retainer 14 in the X or Y directions.
The frictional grip between the fingers 28 and the panel section 11 will permit relative movement to take place between the panel 10 and the chassis 12 in the X directions resulting from linear thermal expansion or contraction of the panel 10. As the elongate projection 18 is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the slot 36, the length of the slot 36 can be minimised whereas, for a given length of slot 36 with the fixing arrangement described in EP-A-0 346 237, the permitted amount of movement in the X directions would be considerably smaller as the lugs described extend longitudinally of the slot in order to ensure that the plate of the arrangement cannot rotate in the slot. Such rotation is prevented in the present invention by the provision of projections 42 which are easily formed during the panel moulding process.
It will be noted that the fingers 26 make contact with the panel section 11 on portions of the panel section on opposite sides of the slot 36. In that way, contact with the panel section 11 is maintained even at extremes of relative movement between the chassis section 12 and the panel 13. As the fingers 34 are not bent downwardly out of the plane of the central section 16, they will not interfere with the ends of the slot 36 even where one end indicated at 36a in Fig 3 may be positioned at one extreme beyond the free end of the adjacent middle finger 34.
It will be appreciated that the fixing arrangement in accordance with the invention will limit relative movement between the panel 10 and the chassis section 12 to the directions X once the fastener 48 has been fully tightened, the ends 38 of the projection 18 preventing relative movement between the chassis section 12 and the panel 10 in the Y directions shown in Fig 3.
Figs 6 and 7 illustrate the advantages of having spaced apart fingers 25 on the retainer 14. Where the upper surface of the fixing section 11 of the panel 10 is slightly uneven, the spaced apart fingers 25 will still effect point contact at four positions with surface. Where an arrangement of the kind shown in EP-A-0 346 237 is used as shown in Fig 7, there is a risk that there will be contact at a reduced number of locations in view of the fact that elongate contact surfaces 60 are utilised. In Fig 7 contact occurs only at a region 61.
Instead of using spaced apart contact projections 42, a single elongate projection 62 shown in broken lines in Fig 3 may be used.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement comprising a panel (10) formed with an elongate aperture (36), a retainer (14) having a projection 18) insertable in the elongate aperture (36), the retainer (14) being formed with an aperture (24) for receiving a fastener (48) which, in use, extends through the apertures (24, 36) for fixing the panel (10) to a mounting (12), the two apertures (24, 36) being arranged to permit adjustment of the panel 10) relative to the mounting (12) in two or more different directions (X, Y) prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) only in the longitudinal direction (X) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10) after fixing, characterised in that the aperture (24) in the retainer (14) is formed in the projection (18), the projection 18) and the aperture (24) therein are elongate and, in use, extend transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10) and the panel (10) has thereon a surface (42) which co-operates with a surface (44;62) of the retainer (14) to prevent the retainer (14) turning relative to the panel (10).
2. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to
Claim 1 characterised in that the said surface on the panel (10) comprises the surface of a projection
( 44 ; 62 ) on panel ( 10 ) .
3. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that two spaced apart projections (44) defining said surfaces on the panel are provided on the panel (10).
4. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim characterised in that the or each said surface (44; 62) on the panel co-operates with an edge (44) of the retainer 14) to prevent turning of the retainer (14).
5. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim characterised in that the elongate projection (13) of the retainer 14) has end sections (38) which, in use, lie closely adjacent opposite edges (40) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10) to inhibit sliding movement of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) except in the longitudinal direction (X) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10).
6. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according any preceding claim characterised in that the retainer (14) comprises a device having spaced apart resilient fingers 26) on two opposite sides of the aperture (24) in the retainer (14), said fingers (26) being arranged to effect resilient gripping of the panel (10) at spaced apart positions.
7. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement comprising a panel (10) formed with an elongate aperture (36), a retainer (14) having a projection (18) insertable in the aperture (36), the retainer (14) being formed with an aperture (24) for receiving a fastener (48) which, in use, extends through the apertures (24,36) for fixing the panel (10) to a mounting (12), the two apertures (24,36) being arranged to permit movement of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) in two or more different directions (X,Y) prior to final fixing and to permit adjustment of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) only in the longitudinal direction (X) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10) after fixing characterised in that the retainer (14) comprises a device having spaced apart resilient fingers (26) on two opposite sides of the aperture (24) in the retainer (14), said fingers (26) being arranged to effect resilient gripping of the panel (10) at spaced apart positions.
8. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to Claim 6 or 7 characterised in that two spaced apart resilient fingers (26) are provided on each of said opposite sides of the aperture (24) in the retainer (14).
9. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to Claim 6, 7 or 8 characterised in that the spaced apart fingers (26) extend away from the aperture (24) in the retainer (14).
10. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to any of Claims 6 to 9 characterised in that the retainer (14) is made from a sheet material which is formed to define the spaced apart fingers (26).
11. A motor vehicle fixing arrangement according to any of Claims 6 to 10 characterised in that the retainer (14) is formed with a mid-section (16) on which the projection (18) is formed and the spaced apart fingers (26) extend from the mid-section (16).
12. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to Claim 11 characterised in that the fingers (26) are bent so as to be inclined to the said mid-section (16) from which they extend.
13. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to any of Claims 6 to 12 characterised in that the fingers (26) are arranged to grip the panel (10) at positions which lie on opposite sides of the elongate aperture (36) formed therein.
14. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to any of Claims 6 to 13 characterised in that each finger
(26) has thereon a protrusion (30) to provide substantially point contact with the panel (10).
15. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to any preceding claim characterised in that the projection (18) on the retainer (14) comprises a downwardly projecting continuous wall (20).
16. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to Claim 15 characterised in that the projection (18) has a lower surface (22) in which the aperture (24) in the projection is formed.
17. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement according to Claim 15 or 16 characterised in that end sections (38) of the continuous wall (20) of the projection (18) are of rounded form.
18. A motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
19. A fixing device for a motor vehicle panel (10) formed with an elongate fixing aperture (36), the fixing device comprising a retainer (14) having a projection (18) insertable in the elongate aperture (36), the retainer (14) being formed with an aperture (24) for receiving a fastener (48) which, in use, extends through the apertures (24, 36) for fixing the panel (10) to a mounting (12), the two apertures (24, 36) being arranged to permit adjustment of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) in two or more different directions (X, Y) prior to final fixing and to permit movement of the panel (10) relative to the mounting (12) only in the longitudinal direction (X) of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10) after fixing, characterised in that the aperture (24) in the retainer (14) is formed in the projection (18), the projection (18) and the aperture (24) therein are elongate and, in use, extend transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongate aperture (36) in the panel (10), the retainer having a surface (44) which, in use, co- operates with part (42;62) of the panel (10) to prevent the retainer (14) turning relative to the panel (10).
20. A fixing device for a motor vehicle panel (10) according to Claim 19 in which the retainer (14) has the features of the retainer of the motor vehicle panel fixing arrangement of any of Claims 2 to 18 .
21. A fixing device for a motor vehicle panel constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB1996/000633 1995-03-29 1996-03-19 Fixing arrangement for a motor vehicle panel WO1996030657A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9506393.9 1995-03-29
GBGB9506393.9A GB9506393D0 (en) 1995-03-29 1995-03-29 Fixing arrangement for a motor vehicle panel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996030657A1 true WO1996030657A1 (en) 1996-10-03

Family

ID=10772074

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1996/000633 WO1996030657A1 (en) 1995-03-29 1996-03-19 Fixing arrangement for a motor vehicle panel

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB9506393D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1996030657A1 (en)

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GB2351525A (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-03 Aqualisa Products Ltd Clamp allowing adjustments in a first and a second different direction of a riser rail holder for a shower handset

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FR2768197B1 (en) * 1997-09-05 1999-10-29 Renault SELF-RELEASING FIXING TO THE TIGHTENING, PARTICULARLY FOR A PLASTIC WING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2768196B1 (en) * 1997-09-05 1999-10-29 Renault SELF-RELEASING FIXING TO THE TIGHTENING, PARTICULARLY FOR A PLASTIC WING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2768199A1 (en) * 1997-09-10 1999-03-12 Plastic Omnium Cie Sliding fixing for plastic part on vehicle bodywork support
FR2772441B1 (en) * 1997-12-15 2000-03-03 Gobin Daude FIXING DEVICE DESIGNED FOR HOLDING A WORKPIECE
DE10048279C2 (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-08-01 Audi Ag Device for reproducibly attaching a first component to a second component
US7153054B2 (en) 2004-05-20 2006-12-26 United Technologies Corporation Fastener assembly for attaching a non-metal component to a metal component
GB2419741B (en) * 2004-10-26 2007-10-17 Digitrac Ltd Electrical dimmer switch apparatus
DE202004020237U1 (en) * 2004-12-31 2005-03-03 Rehau Ag + Co. Plastic component
FR2897909A1 (en) * 2006-02-24 2007-08-31 Valeo Systemes Dessuyage Electrical and/or mechanical module fixing device for vehicle, has adjusting unit creating friction force which avoids displacement of module during preadjustment and permits degree of liberty of translation during definitive fixation
DE102006020376A1 (en) * 2006-04-28 2007-10-31 Rehau Ag + Co Attachment device e.g. for allowing relative gliding movement of polymer coverage and metallic car body, provides sliding movement between two interrelated components such as plastic cover and metallic motor vehicle body
WO2011070388A1 (en) * 2009-12-11 2011-06-16 Renault Trucks A fender for a vehicle
CH703656A1 (en) * 2010-08-27 2012-02-29 Alstom Technology Ltd From hot gases flowed through housing body with internal heat shield.
EP3199430A1 (en) * 2016-01-27 2017-08-02 Autoneum Management AG Underbody panel having mounting points
DE102016215033A1 (en) * 2016-08-11 2018-02-15 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Movement tolerant attachment device
US10836473B2 (en) * 2017-10-24 2020-11-17 Embraer S.A. Mechanisms, systems and methods to allow step-ajdustment of aerodynamic surfaces
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FR2554522A1 (en) * 1983-11-08 1985-05-10 Renault Assembly device.

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2351525A (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-03 Aqualisa Products Ltd Clamp allowing adjustments in a first and a second different direction of a riser rail holder for a shower handset
GB2351525B (en) * 1999-06-30 2002-12-24 Aqualisa Products Ltd Rail holder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2299391B (en) 1998-04-15
GB2299391A (en) 1996-10-02
GB9605009D0 (en) 1996-05-08
GB9506393D0 (en) 1995-05-17

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