Resilient two stage clip for automotive application

Abstract

A two stage spring clip for moveably fastening a first substrate to a second substrate through an aperture. The clip is comprised of an insert nose portion with outwardly tapered legs to form a first retaining portion. The first retaining portion has a first retaining shoulder that extends at a first angle that is substantially perpendicular to a centerline. The outwardly extending legs extend from said first retaining shoulder to form a second retaining shoulder. The second retaining shoulder extends from said centerline at a second angle that is less than the angle of the first retaining shoulder. The legs are further equipped with stop flanges that extend from the outwardly extending legs at an angle that prevents the over insertion of the spring clip into an aperture by acting as a stop against the sides of said aperture. The outwardly extending legs terminate in opposed flanges and during deployment of an air bag side curtain. The clip is displaced any distance, and preferably 13-15 mm, yet retained in the aperture to prevent the trim cover from detachment from the pillar during air bag deployment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a two stage clip for automotive application wherein it is desirable to provide for a clip that allows a defined movement of a trim cover to permit deployment of an air curtain without release of the trim cover into the passenger compartment. The two stage clip is equipped with two retention surfaces that permit the trim cover to move sufficient distance to allow deployment of an air curtain, but which does not permit the trim cover to become detached from a vehicle pillar when the air curtain deploys.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a fastener for use with an automotive trim cover on an automotive pillar, and more particularly, to a two stage retention clip for use in an automotive trim covering an air curtain.[0003]In the automotive industry, parts are secured in place with a variety of automotive fasteners. Spring clips are particularly useful in this regard, as they offer ease of serviceability...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention is a one piece two stage clip used to secure trim covers in place in automotive interior applications wherein the trim cover overlays an air curtain or other safety deployment system. The two stage clip is preferably a unitary structure constructed of a resilient material such as steel or plastic and is configured such that the clip has two spring flanges in opposed relation to each other to provide an outward spring action to the clip and two retaining spring clip structures. Ordinarily, the spring clip of the present invention is stamped from a single piece of spring steel, or formed of any other resilient material to form a clip that is a unitary structure. The two stage spring clip is insertable into cooperatively aligned apertures in a first and second substrate and has an outwardly tapered insertion portion that has retaining shoulders that extend at an angle from the centerline of the clip. The two stage clip has a second insertion portion extendi

Problems solved by technology

However, the force of the air curtain deployment is not sufficient to overcome the retention force between the first retaining shoulders and the aperture into which it is inserted, thereby ensuring that the trim piece will not become a projectile when the air curtain deploys in an emergency situation.

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