Release rod grommet

• US 20030131443A1
• Filed: 12/03/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Holland LP
• Original Assignee: Holland LP
• Inventors: Trent, Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US10/308,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20030131443A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0846 for duct, cable or rod passages, e.g. between engine and passenger compartments

Abstract

A grommet adapted to accommodate more than one depth of hole or thickness of mating material. The grommet includes a base member having a central aperture. The grommet has at least two retaining tabs adapted for different depth holes or thicknesses of mating material. The tabs extend perpendicular to the base member and are adapted to be seated and retained within the hole to be protected.

Claims

1. A grommet adapted to be inserted and retained within a hole, said grommet including:

a base member having a front surface, a rear surface and a central aperture;

said base member adapted to engage a first surface of a material;

a first tab extending outwardly from said rear surface, said first tab including a first inner surface and a first outer surface, said first tab includes a first retaining barb extending outwardly from said first outer surface, said first retaining barb and said base member defining a first locking channel height; and

,

a second tab extending outwardly from said rear surface, said second tab including a second inner surface and a second outer surface, said second tab includes a second retaining barb extending outwardly from said second outer surface, said second retaining barb and said base member defining a second locking channel height, wherein,

said first locking channel height and said second locking channel height are different.

2. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein said base member includes first lip and a second lip, said lips extending from said rear surface of said base member on opposing sides of said central aperture and adapted to be seated within the hole.

3. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein said base member includes a peripherally extending portion adapted to rest against an outer surface of the mating material when said grommet is seated in a hole.

4. The grommet according to claim 1, including a third tab extending outwardly from said rear surface, said third tab including a third inner surface and a third outer surface, said third tab includes a third retaining barb extending outwardly from said third outer surface, said third retaining barb and said base member defining a third locking channel height;

said third locking channel height being different than at least one of said first and second locking channel heights.

5. The grommet according to claim 1, wherein said grommet is a plastic.

6. The grommet according to claim 5, wherein said plastic comprises nylon.

7. A wear grommet adapted to be inserted into and retained in an opening, said grommet comprising:

a base member having a front surface, a rear surface and a central aperture;

a first tab set extending from said rear surface substantially parallel to the central axis of said central aperture, said first tab set including a first tab and a second tab, said first and second tabs including an inner surface facing said central aperture and an opposing outer surface facing away from said central aperture;

said first and second tabs each including a retaining barb extending outwardly from said outer surface thereof;

each of said first and second tabs including a locking channel defined by said rear surface of said base member, said outer surface of said tab and said retaining barb, the locking channel of said first tab having a different height than the locking channel of said second tab; and

,

a second tab set extending from said rear surface substantially parallel to the central axis of said central aperture, said second tab set including a primary tab and a secondary tab, said primary and secondary tabs including an inner surface facing said central aperture and an opposing outer surface facing away from said central aperture;

said primary and secondary tabs each including a retaining barb extending outwardly from said outer surface thereof;

each of said primary and second tabs including a locking channel defined by said rear surface of said base member, said outer surface of said tab and said retaining barb, said locking channel of said primary tab having a different height than said locking channel of said secondary tab.

8. The grommet according to claim 7, wherein said first tab set and said second tab set are positioned on opposing sides of said central aperture.

9. The grommet according to claim 7, wherein said locking channel height of said first tab and said locking channel height of said primary tab are equal.

10. The grommet according to claim 9, wherein said locking channel height of said second tab and said locking channel height of said secondary tab are equal.

11. The grommet according to claim 7, wherein said base member includes a first lip and a second lip, said first and second lips extending from said rear surface of said base member on opposing sides of said central aperture and adapted to be seated within the opening.

12. The grommet according to claim 11, wherein said first and second lips include a beveled end.

13. The grommet according to claim 7, wherein said first tab set includes a third tab extending from the rear surface and having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a retaining barb extending outwardly from said outer surface, said third tab including a locking channel defined by said rear surface, said outer surface and said retaining barb;

said locking channel of said third tab having a height different than said first tab and said second tab.

14. The grommet according to claim 7, wherein said second tab set includes a tertiary tab extending from the rear surface and having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a retaining barb extending outwardly from said outer surface, said tertiary tab including a locking channel defined by said rear surface, said outer surface and said retaining barb;

said locking channel of said tertiary tab having a height different than said primary tab and said secondary tab.

15. A wear grommet adapted to be positioned within an opening in a material, said grommet including:

a base member having a rear surface, a front surface and a central aperture; and

,

a plurality of tabs extending from said rear surface, each of said plurality of tabs including an inner surface facing said central aperture, an opposing outer surface facing away from said central aperture and a retaining member extending outwardly from said outer surface, said retaining member including a lower edge spaced from said rear surface and substantially parallel thereto, each of said plurality of tabs having a locking channel defined by said rear surface, said outer surface and said lower edge, each of said plurality of tabs having a locking channel height defined by the distance between said rear surface and said lower edge;

wherein at least two tabs of said plurality of tabs include locking channel heights that differ.

16. The grommet according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of tabs include at least three tabs having different locking channel heights

17. The grommet according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of tabs are provided in at least two tab sets, said tab sets positioned on opposing sides of said central aperture;

each of said tab sets including at least two tabs having different locking channel heights.

18. The grommet according to claim 17, wherein each tab set includes an equal number of tabs and the tabs of each tab set are identical to the tabs included in an opposing tab set.

19. The grommet according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of tabs are provided in at least two tab sets, said tab sets positioned on opposing sides of said central aperture;

each of said tab sets including at least three tabs having different locking channel heights.

20. The grommet according to claim 15 including a first lip and a second lip, said first and second lips extending from said rear surface of said base member on opposing sides of said central aperture, said first and second lips adapted to seat within the opening in the material.