TRIM PANEL TETHER AND METHOD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tether for use in securing a closure panel to a substrate, the tether comprising:
- an elongate deformable strap having a first end, a second end and a middle portion between the first and the second ends, the first end engaged with the substrate and the second end engaged with the closure panel, whereby the strap exerts a compressive force against the closure panel in a direction away from the first end when the strap is deformed and exerts a tension force at the second end in a direction toward the first end when there is no deformation thereby resisting movement of the closure panel when the closure panel is attached to the substrate and preventing complete separation of the closure panel from the substrate on dislodgement of the closure panel from the substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trim panel cover tether and method for use with interior trim cover panels or audio speakers grilles. A deformable tether strap is engaged with the trim panel substrate and the cover panel to deter undesirable rattles of the speaker grille and to prevent complete detachment of the cover panel from the trim panel substrate in the event the cover panel is dislodged from the substrate.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A tether for use in securing a closure panel to a substrate, the tether comprising:
an elongate deformable strap having a first end, a second end and a middle portion between the first and the second ends, the first end engaged with the substrate and the second end engaged with the closure panel, whereby the strap exerts a compressive force against the closure panel in a direction away from the first end when the strap is deformed and exerts a tension force at the second end in a direction toward the first end when there is no deformation thereby resisting movement of the closure panel when the closure panel is attached to the substrate and preventing complete separation of the closure panel from the substrate on dislodgement of the closure panel from the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A tether for use between a removable closure panel and a substrate, the tether comprising:
an elongate deformable strap having a first end, a second end and a middle portion between the first and second ends, the first end positioned in opposing orientation from the second end in a direction along a first linear axis through a first bend in the middle portion about a first rotational axis positioned between the first and second ends causing a biasing force in the strap at the second end away from the first end along the first linear axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A tethered closure panel apparatus for use with an interior trim panel of automotive vehicles, the apparatus comprising:
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a trim panel having a cavity defining a first linear axis through the cavity; a closure panel in locking engagement with the trim panel at least partially covering the cavity; an elongate deformable tether strap having a first end, a second end and a middle portion defining a first length between the first and the second ends, the first end is engaged with a substrate distant from the closure panel along the first linear axis, the second end is engaged with the closure panel, the strap is oriented to include first bend in the middle portion about a first rotational axis positioned between the first and the second ends creating a compression force in the strap at the second end against the closure panel in a direction away from the first end, at least a portion of the compressive force being along the first linear axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of securing a closure panel to a substrate comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongate deformable tether strap having a first end, a second end and a middle portion between the first and the second ends; engaging the first end to a substrate; engaging the second end with a closure panel; deforming the tether strap to create a biasing force in the strap at the second end in a direction away from the first end; and attaching the closure panel to the substrate against the biasing force producing a compressive force on the closure panel in the direction away from the first end. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification