Adjustable fastener

• US 5,636,891 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 06/10/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc), Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Dean T., Smith, Nels R., Van Order, Kim L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US08/472,331
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 296/214, 296/37.7, 296/39.1, 296/37.8, 411/84, 411/85, 411/182, 403/13, 403/14, 403/386, 24/290-295, 24/297, 52/511, 52/716.5-716.7, 224/311, 224/313, 248/224.8, 248/222.11
• US Class Current: 296/37.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/026 characterised by the fixing means B60N3/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/307 Sheet metal formed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/1616 Position or guide means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7111 Shackle is integral with or independently attached to proximate side of plate or other side

Abstract

A vehicle accessory has a mounting wall with an elongated slot which slideably receives a snap-in fastener which is fixed in the orthogonal direction of installation of the snap-in fastener. The fastener cooperates with an elongated slot formed in a vehicle support structure which slot extends orthogonally to the slot in the vehicle accessory such that the fastener can be moved into alignment on two axes to align with the aperture in the vehicle for insertion of the fastener and installation of the accessory.

Claims

1. A vehicle accessory and fastener for attaching said accessory to a vehicle support member comprising:

a vehicle accessory having a mounting wall, said wall including an elongated generally rectangular slot formed therethrough, said slot having a longitudinal axis;

a fastener comprising a body having legs for lockably inserting said fastener into an aperture in a vehicle support member, said fastener slidably positioned on a first side of said wall; and

a slide for slideably mounting said fastener to said wall from a side of said wall opposite said first side, said slide including a section extending through said elongated slot such that said fastener can be moved to align with the aperture in a vehicle support member during installation of said vehicle accessory.

2. The accessory and fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said first side of said wall includes a pair of spaced apart parallel rails extending on opposite sides of said elongated slot and wherein said fastener slideably engages said rails.

3. The accessory and fastener as defined in claim 2 and further including a threaded fastener extending through said slide and said elongated slot for coupling said slide to said first named fastener.

4. The accessory and fastener as defined in claim 3 wherein said first named fastener comprises a spring clip and said legs comprises a pair of spring legs which snap into the aperture in a vehicle support member.

5. The accessory and fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said accessory is an overhead console.

6. The accessory and fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said accessory is an assist handle.

7. The accessory and fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said accessory is a hook.

8. A vehicle accessory and a fastener for attaching said vehicle accessory to a vehicle support member comprising:

a vehicle accessory having a mounting wall including an elongated closed end slot, a guide track on said wall for slideably holding a fastener in alignment with said slot when said fastener is positioned adjacent a surface of said wall, said guide track extending in generally parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of said slot;

a fastener comprising a body slideably engaging said guide track for allowing said fastener to slide along said slot, said fastener including leg means for lockably inserting said fastener into an aperture in a vehicle support member; and

a slide positioned on a side of said mounting wall opposite said fastener and having a segment slideably extending through said elongated slot, and a threaded fastener securing said slide to said first named fastener to allow said first named fastener to slide along said guide track and be held to said accessory.

9. The accessory and fastener as defined in claim 8 wherein said guide track comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel rails extending on opposite sides of said elongated slot.

10. The vehicle accessory as defined in claim 8 wherein said segment is generally rectangular.

11. The vehicle accessory as defined by claim 10 wherein said segment is generally circular.