Energy absorbing trim component fastening system
US6049952A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/42
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy absorbing interior trim component of plastics is attached to a supporting structural member of a vehicle by one or more special fastening devices. The trim component has a shell-like main housing defining an interior cavity that contains a plurality of laterally spaced energy absorbing ribs, which are designed to deform and collapse upon predetermined impact loads applied to the trim component. The ribs are strategically located and sized for optimized energy absorbing purposes and in accordance with the interior dimensions and shape of the trim component. Each fastening device comprises a steel spring clip having laterally spaced clamping jaw arms for easy installation and substantially permanent attachment to the ribs and having an attachment head which readily fastens into structure defining a narrow elongated slot in the supporting structural member. The trim component is inhibited from inadvertent disconnection from the structural member but can be removed for replacement or repair with simple tools. The energy of an impact load applied to the interior trim component is transferred to the energy absorbing ribs which collapse, tear or otherwise deform to dissipate the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.