Interior trim attachment apparatus and method for a vehicle

{
  "publication_number": "US6659527B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Interior trim attachment apparatus and method for a vehicle",
  "abstract": "A mount assembly and method are provided for securing a visor to a vehicle mounting surface. Initially, a vehicle mounting surface having an aperture formed therein is provided. A bracket assembly including a bracket having a first aperture, a latch slidably mounted to the bracket, and an arm disposed within the first aperture of the bracket are also provided. The arm is then rotated to a first position wherein the latch is caused to move to an inwardly retracted position. The bracket assembly is then placed adjacent the mounting surface such that a portion of the bracket and the latch are inserted into the aperture in the mounting surface. The arm is then rotated to a second position wherein the latch is caused to move to an outwardly extended position, the bracket thereby being locked relative to the mounting surface.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A mount assembly for securing a visor to a vehicle mounting surface, said mount assembly comprising: a bracket having a first aperture; a latch slidably mounted relative to said bracket; and an arm disposed within said first aperture, wherein the rotation of said arm causes said latch to slide relative to said bracket; wherein when said bracket is inserted into an opening in a mounting surface, the sliding of said latch fastens said bracket to said mounting surface.",
    "2. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bracket includes a second aperture, a pin being disposed within said second aperture, said mount assembly being in a locked position when said pin is in a first position, said mount assembly being in an unlocked position when said pin is in a second position.",
    "3. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bracket includes a bracket flange defining a groove between said bracket flange and an engagement surface of said bracket.",
    "4. The mount assembly according to claim 3, wherein said bracket flange has a substantially beveled leading edge.",
    "5. The mount assembly according to claim 2, wherein said latch includes a flexible leg.",
    "6. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein said latch includes a latch flange defining a groove between said latch flange and an engagement surface of said bracket.",
    "7. The mount assembly according to claim 6, wherein said latch flange has a substantially beveled leading edge.",
    "8. The mount assembly according to claim 6, wherein said bracket includes a plurality of ratchet grooves.",
    "9. The mount assembly according to claim 8, wherein said flexible leg includes a ratchet pawl for engagement with said ratchet grooves.",
    "10. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first aperture of said bracket is substantially tapered.",
    "11. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bracket includes a cam arm attached to said arm, said latch being in an inwardly retracted position when said cam arm is in a first position, said latch being in an outwardly extended position when said cam arm is in a second position.",
    "12. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein said arm is an automotive visor arm.",
    "13. A method of securing a visor to a vehicle mounting surface, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a vehicle mounting surface having an aperture formed therein; b. providing a bracket assembly including a bracket having a first aperture, a latch slidably mounted relative to the bracket, and an arm disposed within the first aperture of the bracket; c. rotating the arm to a first position wherein the latch is caused to move to an inwardly retracted position; d. placing the bracket assembly adjacent the mounting surface such that a portion of the bracket and the latch are inserted into the aperture in the mounting surface; and e. rotating the arm to a second position wherein the latch is caused to move to an outwardly extended position, the bracket thereby being locked relative to the mounting surface.",
    "14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the bracket includes a second aperture, a pin being disposed within the second aperture, the mount assembly being in a locked position when the pin is in a first position, the mount assembly being in an unlocked position when the pin is in a second position.",
    "15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the bracket includes a bracket flange defining a groove between the bracket flange and an engagement surface of the bracket.",
    "16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the bracket flange has a substantially beveled leading edge.",
    "17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the latch includes a flexible leg.",
    "18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the latch includes a latch flange defining a groove between the latch flange and an engagement surface of the bracket.",
    "19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the latch flange has a substantially beveled leading edge.",
    "20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the bracket includes a plurality of ratchet grooves.",
    "21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the flexible leg includes a ratchet pawl for engagement with the ratchet grooves.",
    "22. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first aperture of the bracket is substantially tapered.",
    "23. The method according to claim 13, wherein the bracket includes a cam arm attached to the arm, the latch being in an inwardly retracted position when the cam arm is in a first position, the latch being in an outwardly extended position when the cam arm is in a second position.",
    "24. The method according to claim 13, wherein the arm is an automotive visor arm."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to attachment devices and more particularly to a mount assembly and method for securing a visor to a vehicle mounting surface.\n\nWhen driving a vehicle it is desirable to shield an occupant's eyes from glaring sunlight which enters the vehicle interior through the windshield or the side windows. As a result, vehicle interiors are usually equipped with sun visors.\n\nVisors typically include a visor body and a pivot rod assembly. The pivot rod assembly typically includes an L-shaped pivot rod, a torque control, and a means for mounting the rod to the vehicle roof and/or headliner. The torque control rotationally mounts the visor body to the pivot rod. The torque control allows the visor body to be moved between, and held at, various rotational positions with respect to the rod. This allows the visor to be moved between a lowered position adjacent the windshield or side window to a raised position adjacent the roof and/or headliner.\n\nA number of methods have been proposed for mounting the pivot rods to the roof and/or headliner. One known method includes a mount attached to the roof and/or headliner by screws or barbed Christmas-tree type fasteners. However, screws can be difficult to install on a quickly moving assembly line since the power screw drivers often inadvertently disengage the screw head and irreparably mar the adjacent trim panel or bezel. This leads to poor quality or costly removal and scrapping of the expensive trim panel. Furthermore, insertion of multiple screws is time consuming.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60J 3/0221"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60J 3/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Lear Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Douglas J. Wilson"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2002-09-18",
  "publication_date": "2003-12-09",
  "grant_date": "2003-12-09",
  "priority_date": "2002-09-18",
  "application_number": "US-24613902-A",
  "family_id": "22929449",
  "cited_by_count": 12,
  "citations": [
    "US3017217A",
    "US5201564A",
    "US5031954A",
    "US5082322A",
    "US5403064A",
    "US5451022A",
    "US5765897A",
    "US5697140A",
    "US5499854A",
    "US5975617A",
    "US6021986A",
    "US6003928A",
    "US6234558B1",
    "USH1834H",
    "US6068323A",
    "US6250708B1",
    "JP2001280315A"
  ]
}