Vehicle trim structure with integrally formed ribs

{
  "publication_number": "US9174589B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Vehicle trim structure with integrally formed ribs",
  "abstract": "A vehicle trim structure for attachment of a resilient clip includes a flange extending generally orthogonally from an interior wall of an automotive vehicle and a plurality of ribs protruding generally orthogonally from the flange. The flange includes a proximal end integral with the interior wall, a distal end separated from the interior wall, an interior face spanning between the proximal end and the distal end, and an exterior face spanning between the proximal end and the distal end, opposite the interior face. The plurality of ribs extends longitudinally from the proximal end of the flange to the distal end of the flange.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A vehicle trim structure for attachment of a resilient clip, comprising: a flange extending generally orthogonally from an interior wall of an automotive vehicle, the flange including a proximal end integral with the interior wall, a distal end separated from the interior wall, an interior face spanning between the proximal end and the distal end, and an exterior face spanning between the proximal end and the distal end, opposite the interior face; and a clip attachment area including a plurality of ribs, each rib in the plurality of ribs protruding generally orthogonally from the interior face of the flange and extending longitudinally from the proximal end to the distal end, the plurality of ribs being located on a portion of the flange; wherein the resilient clip is attached to the clip attachment area, the resilient clip including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion whereby either the first engaging portion or the second engaging portion overlaps and contacts the plurality of ribs with the plurality of ribs being positioned between the first engaging portion and second engaging portion of the resilient clip.",
    "2. The vehicle trim structure for attachment of a resilient clip of claim 1, further comprising a first guide member oriented generally parallel to the plurality of ribs and extending generally orthogonally from the interior face of the flange from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the first guide member is located outboard of the plurality of ribs and a height of the first guide member is greater than a height of each of the ribs.",
    "3. The vehicle trim structure for attachment of a resilient clip of claim 2, further comprising a second guide member oriented generally parallel to the plurality of ribs and extending generally orthogonally from the interior face of the flange from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein a height of the second guide member is greater than the height of each of the ribs, and wherein the plurality of ribs is disposed between the first guide member and the second guide member.",
    "4. A clip attachment system, comprising: a resilient clip including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion separated from the first engaging portion by an at-rest distance; a vehicle trim structure including a flange having a far end, a near end, an interior face spanning between the far end and the near end, and an exterior face spanning between the far end and the near end, opposite the interior face, and a plurality of ribs, each rib in the plurality of ribs protruding generally orthogonally from the interior face of the flange and extending longitudinally from the far end to the near end; wherein one of the first engaging portion and second engaging portion overlaps and is in contact with the plurality of ribs and the other of the first engaging portion and second engaging portion is in contact with the exterior face, and wherein the first engaging portion and second engaging portion are separated by a distance greater than the at-rest distance.",
    "5. The clip attachment system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of ribs is disposed between a pair of guide members, wherein the pair of guide members defines outer bounds of a clip attachment area.",
    "6. The clip attachment system of claim 4, wherein the resilient clip is an alligator clip.",
    "7. The clip attachment system of claim 4, wherein the resilient clip is a U-shaped clamp.",
    "8. The clip attachment system of claim 4, wherein the resilient clip is a spring clip.",
    "9. A clip attachment system, comprising: a resilient clip including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, wherein a plurality of first protrusions is formed on a surface of the first engaging portion and a plurality of second protrusions is formed on a surface of the second engaging portion, the plurality of the second protrusions being separated from the plurality of first protrusions by an at-rest distance; a vehicle trim structure including a flange having a far end, a near end, an interior face spanning between the far end and the near end, and an exterior face spanning between the far end and the near end, opposite the interior face, and a plurality of ribs, each rib in the plurality of ribs protruding generally orthogonally from the interior face of the flange and extending longitudinally from the far end to the near end; wherein one of the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions is mounted on the plurality of ribs and the other of the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions is in contact with the exterior face, and wherein the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions are separated by a distance greater than the at-rest distance, and wherein the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions extend transversely to an extending direction of the plurality of ribs."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle trim structure adapted for clip attachment and, more specifically, to an automotive vehicle trim structure including a plurality of integrally-formed ribs to provide a more secure attachment for a resilient clip.\n\nModern vehicles use a variety of resilient clips to secure components to the body of the vehicle. In one particular application, resilient clips are used to secure wires or wire harnesses to protruding trim structures. However, in some cases, trim structures do not have the required thickness to ensure proper attachment of some resilient clips. Trim structures can be engineered to a greater thickness; however, certain drawbacks may result. For instance, additional materials will be used in the molding process and the possibility of molding defects increases. Accordingly, a need exists for securing resilient clips to automotive trim components while reducing waste and the possibility of molding defects.\n\nA first aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention concerns a vehicle trim structure for attachment of a resilient clip.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60R 13/0206",
    "B60R 16/0215",
    "F16B 5/0635",
    "F16B 5/0664"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60R 13/02",
    "B60R 16/02",
    "F16B 5/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "TOYOTA ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "CHOU WARREN J"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-05-23",
  "publication_date": "2015-11-03",
  "grant_date": "2015-11-03",
  "priority_date": "2013-05-23",
  "application_number": "US-201313900914-A",
  "family_id": "51934898",
  "citations": [
    "US2013099518A1"
  ]
}