Fastening element for part of a trim inside a motor vehicle

• US 20040074056A1
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Company KG (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Company KG (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Götzinger, Bruno, Schaffer, J?uuml;rgen, Hausberger, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 6,908,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/289
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0206 Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings devices for fastening or securing F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0435 associated with the side or roof pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/04 Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/30 Trim molding fastener

Abstract

Fastening element for a trim panel in the interior of a motor vehicle, said fastening element being fastened between a structural part (1) of the motor vehicle and the trim panel in such a manner that the trim panel can be removed, and foam being provided between the trim panel and structural part. In order, with reduced costs for manufacturing and logistics, to be able to absorb a large amount of work of deformation and to be exchangeable, the fastening element (5) itself is a body which consists of light metal foam, in which at least one insert (8) is integrated, said insert being exposed on the side which faces the trim panel (15), and wherein the trim panel is fastened releasably to the exposed part (9) formed in this manner.

Claims

1. A fastening element for a trim panel in the interior of a motor vehicle, said fastening element being fastened between a structural part (1) of the motor vehicle and the trim panel in such a manner that the trim panel can be removed, and foam being provided between the trim panel and structural part, wherein the fastening element (5) itself is a body which consists of light metal foam, in which at least one insert (8) is integrated, said insert being exposed on the side which faces the trim panel (15), and wherein the trim panel is fastened releasably to the exposed part (9) formed in this manner.

2. The fastening element as claimed in claim 1, wherein it is produced by powder metallurgy means and has a skin (6) encasing its porous structure.

3. The fastening element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (8) reaches with its parts (10, 11) adjacent to the exposed part (9) into the depth of the foam body which forms the fastening element (5).

4. The fastening element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert (8) has, on its exposed part, a hole (12) in which a part (21) of the trim panel (15) engages, a snap-on element (23) securing the trim panel (15), and wherein the fastening element (5) has a depression (13) below the hole (12).

5. The fastening element as claimed in claim 1, wherein it is an elongate body (5) having a plurality of spaced apart inserts (8).

6. The fastening element as claimed in claim 1, wherein it is fastened to the structural part (1) of the motor vehicle by an adhesive tape (14).

7. The fastening element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adhesive tape (14) consists of polyurethane and has a thickness of 0.5 to 2 millimeters.