Adjustable connector system

• US 6,039,523 A
• Filed: 12/02/1998
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Kraus, Willibald
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, NEILL R
• Application Number:
  US09/204,997
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 411/41, 411/45, 411/48, 411/338, 411/339, 411/508, 411/509, 411/510, 411/60.1, 411/908
• US Class Current: 411/48
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0628 allowing for adjustment parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the sheets or plates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/908 Resinous material

Abstract

An adjustable connector system is provided between a support (2), specifically a body part of a motor vehicle and a plate element, specifically a door covering. The connector system includes a connector member having with an upper portion (3) attachable to the plate element and a lower portion (4) connectable with the support (2). Between upper piece (3) and lower piece (4) there is provided a neck-shaped intermediary region (5), fitted with locking elements (10). An anterior region of the intermediary region is adapted to traverse an engagement piece (12) embeddable in a support opening (7). Interference between the intermediary region and the engagement piece urges the intermediary region to spread radially outwardly behind the support opening (7).

Claims

1. An adjustable connector system for holding an associated plate element in a spaced-apart relationship relative to an associated support member, the adjustable connector system comprising:

an engagement member adapted for selective embedded engagement within a support opening formed in the associated support member, the engagement member defining a central opening and further being adapted on a first end to spread open and engage a back side surface of the associated support member, the engagement member being formed as a two-component piece and including a holding element made of a first hard material and an embedding element made of a second soft material;

at least one counter-locking unit carried on said holding element to extend radially inwardly into said central opening, the at least one counter-locking unit being formed of said first hard material

a first connector member having an upper piece and a lower piece, the first connector member defining a neck-shaped intermediary region adapted to be received in the central opening of the engagement member; and

,

a plurality of locking elements disposed on the neck-shaped intermediary region to selectively lockingly engage the at least one counter-locking unit when the first connector member is received in the central opening of the engagement member, the plurality of locking elements being cooperative with the engagement member to spread apart the first end of the engagement member into engagement with the back side surface of the associated support member when the first connector member is selectively received in the engagement member.

2. The adjustable connector system according to claim 2 wherein said lower piece of said connector member is formed from a first hard material and a second soft material, the second soft material defining a circumferential sealing lip.

3. The adjustable connector system according to claim 2 wherein said upper piece of said intermediary region includes at least one of a pipe fastening device, a cable clamping region, and a panel holding element.

4. The adjustable connector system according to claim 2 wherein said neck-shaped intermediary region includes, on a first end thereof:

at least two resilient guidance wings carried on a cylindrical member extending from the first end of the neck-shaped intermediary region; and

,

a cone-shaped surface disposed between the cylindrical member and the plurality of locking elements formed on the intermediary region, the cone-shaped surface being adapted to engage an interior wall of said engagement member.

5. The adjustable connector system according to claim 2 wherein:

the upper piece of the neck-shaped intermediary region includes a plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed along the longitudinal axis of the intermediary region, each of the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members carrying a set of said plurality of locking elements; and

,

the upper piece of the neck-shaped intermediary region includes a sealing flange carrying a housing member, the housing member defining a recess having a shape in cross section adapted to receive the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed on the upper piece of the intermediary region, the housing member carrying at least one counter catch member operative for selective engagement with said plurality of locking elements carried on the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members of the upper piece to selectively fasten the intermediary region to the sealing flange.

6. The adjustable connector system according to claim 2 wherein said holding element is adapted for partial embedded engagement with said embedding element.

7. The adjustable connector system according to claim 3 wherein said holding element is ring-shaped, the holding element having a first portion being at least partially embedded within said embedding element, and a second portion extending from the embedding element and forming said at least counter-locking unit.

8. The adjustable connector system according to claim 3 wherein said holding element includes at least one cross-piece member extending into said embedding element.

9. The adjustable connector system according to claim 4 wherein said holding element includes:

four cross-piece members extending into said embedding element each of the four cross-piece members facing a respective other one of the four cross-piece members; and

,

a set of cross-shaped embedded end regions extending between the four cross-piece members and carrying said at least two counter-locking units.

10. The adjustable connector system according to claim 6 wherein:

each of the set of embedded end regions defines a cross-beam member; and

,

said at least two counter-locking units are carried at least two of said cross-beam members.

11. The adjustable connector system according to claim 2 wherein said holding element defines a circumferential internal recess adapted to receive said embedded element.

12. The adjustable connector system according to claim 10 wherein said at least one counter-locking unit is disposed on said holding element adjacent said circumferential internal recess.

13. The adjustable connector system according to claim 11 wherein said at least one counter-locking unit are carried on at least one cross-piece member.

14. The adjustable connector system according to claim 10 wherein said embedding element includes:

a ring-shaped member disposed in said circumferential internal recess; and

,

a spreader element adapted to engage said first connector member.

15. The adjustable connector system according to claim 13 wherein said spreader element has an annular shape.

16. The adjustable connector system according to claim 14 wherein said intermediary region includes a groove adapted to receive said spreader element prior to selective connection of said adjustable connector system with said associated support member.

17. The adjustable connector system according to claim 10 wherein said circumferential internal recess of said holding element is substantially formed in the shape of an inverted U and defines a leg member adapted to extend through said support opening.

18. The adjustable connector system according to claim 16 wherein a first end of said leg member and said spreader element are adapted to embeddedly engage said groove formed in said intermediary region.

19. The adjustable connector system according to claim 17 wherein said spreader element includes a circumferential recess adapted to receive said leg member.

20. The adjustable connector system according to claim 10 wherein said neck-shaped intermediary region defines a guidance cone member adjacent said groove.

21. The adjustable connector system according to claim 19 wherein said guidance cone member has a T-shape in cross-section.

23. The adjustable connector system according to claim 8 wherein said at least two resilient guidance wings extend radially outwardly away from said elongate neck-shaped intermediary region and beyond said engagement member.

24. The adjustable connector system according to claim 8 wherein:

said engagement member comprises a two-component piece and includes a holding element made of a first hard material and an embedding element made of a second soft material; and

,

said at least one counter-locking unit is disposed at said holding element and is made of said first hard material.

25. The adjustable connector system according to claim 8 wherein:

the upper piece of the neck-shaped intermediary region includes a plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed along the longitudinal axis of the intermediary region, each of the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members carrying a set of said plurality of locking elements; and

,

the upper piece of the neck-shaped intermediary region includes a sealing flange carrying a housing member, the housing member defining a recess having a shape in cross section adapted to receive the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed on the upper piece of the intermediary region, the housing member carrying at least one counter catch member operative for selective engagement with said plurality of locking elements carried on the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members of the upper piece to selectively fasten the intermediary region to the sealing flange.

27. The adjustable connector system according to claim 21 wherein said plurality of radially extending cross-piece members have a cross-shaped cross-section and wherein each of said plurality of cross-piece members are arranged at opposite diagonal positions relative to another one of the plurality of cross-piece members.

29. The adjustable connector system according to claim 23 wherein said plurality of locking elements are disposed on each of said plurality of radially extending cross-piece members in a spaced apart relationship along a longitudinal axis of said neck-shaped intermediary region.

30. The adjustable connector system according to claim 24 wherein:

at least two of said plurality of cross-piece members extend in opposite radial directions, said at least two cross-piece members having different widths; and

,

each of said at least two cross-piece members extending in said opposite radial directions carry a respective set of locking elements having respective different widths formed in accordance with said respective different widths of said oppositely radially extending cross-piece members.

31. The adjustable connector system according to claim 25 wherein:

said neck-shaped intermediary region forms a conically tapering insertion region on a first end thereof; and

,

said plurality of cross-piece members are bounded on their respective ends by said conically tapering insertion region.

33. The adjustable connector system according to claim 27 wherein said first end of the neck-shaped intermediary region includes at least one recess formed between said at least resilient catch lugs and said plurality of radially extending cross-piece members, said at least one recess being adapted to receive first ends of said resilient catch lugs when the catch lugs are deflected radially inwardly.

35. The adjustable connector system according to claim 29 wherein the adjustable connector system includes a first region formed of a first hard material and a second region formed of a second soft material, the first region of the adjustable connector system including a set of cross-pieces, an upper part of said sealing flange and said spreader elements and said second region including a lower part of said sealing flange.

36. The adjustable connector system according to claim 30 wherein said set of cross-pieces are disposed along a longitudinal axis defined by said spreader elements and said intermediary region and are spaced apart circumferentially about said longitudinal axis.

37. The adjustable connector system according to claim 21 wherein said housing member carries a plurality of counter catches, each of the plurality of counter catch members being disposed on the housing member in a staggered location relative to said sealing flange.

39. The adjustable connector system according to claim 33 wherein said housing member includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots extending over at least a one of a surface and a lateral edge of said housing member.

41. The adjustable connector system according to claim 35 wherein said intermediary region includes a plurality of profile members defined between said plurality of cross-pieces, said profile members being adapted to act upon and widen radially outwardly said spreader elements to selectively engage behind said support opening.

42. The adjustable connector system according to claim 36 wherein:

said second region includes at least two catches disposed adjacent said sealing flange, said at least two catches being selectively embeddable in the contraction region of said intermediary region; and

,

the at least two catches are adapted to engage behind said support opening subsequent to selective insertion movement of said upper piece into said lower piece urging radially outwardly spreading motion of said at least two catches above said contraction region by engagement of sloping surfaces formed on said intermediary region.

43. The adjustable connector system according to claim 37 wherein said lower piece includes a plurality of opposing cross-pieces adjacent said sealing flange, each of said plurality of opposing cross-pieces being provided with at least one counter catch said at least one counter catch being adapted to establish contact with said plurality of locking elements of said intermediary region.

45. The adjustable connector system according to claim 21 wherein:

said engagement member comprises a two-component piece and includes a holding element made of a first hard material and an embedding element made of a second soft material; and

,

said at least one counter-locking unit is disposed at said holding element and is made of said first hard material.

46. The adjustable connector system according to claim 21 wherein said neck-shaped intermediary region includes, on a first end thereof:

at least two resilient guidance wings carried on a cylindrical member extending from the first end of the neck-shaped intermediary region; and

,

a cone-shaped surface disposed between the cylindrical member and the plurality of locking elements formed on the intermediary region, the cone-shaped surface being adapted to engage an interior wall of said engagement member.

22. An adjustable connector system for holding an associated plate element in a spaced-apart relationship relative to an associated support member, the adjustable connector system comprising:

an engagement member adapted for selective embedded engagement in a support opening formed in an associated support member, the engagement member defining a central opening and further being adapted on a first end to spread open and engage a back side surface of the associated support member;

at least one counter-locking unit formed on the engagement member and extending radially inwardly into said central opening;

a first connector member having an upper piece and a lower piece, the first connector member defining a neck-shaped intermediary region adapted to be received in the central opening of the engagement member; and

,

a plurality of locking elements disposed on the neck-shaped intermediary region to selectively lockingly engage the at least one counter-locking unit when the first connector member is received in the central opening of the engagement member, the plurality of locking elements being cooperative with the engagement member to spread apart the first end of the engagement member into engagement with the back side surface of the associated support member when the first connector member is selectively received in the engagement member, said neck-shaped intermediary region including, on a first end thereof;

at least two resilient guidance wings carried on a cylindrical member extending from the first end of the neck-shaped intermediary region; and

, a cone-shaped surface disposed between the cylindrical member and the plurality of locking elements formed on the intermediary region, the cone-shaped surface being adapted to engage an interior wall of said engagement member.

28. The adjustable connector system according to claim 22 wherein:

each of said plurality of radially extending cross-piece members have different widths; and

,

said recess has a shape in cross section adapted to receive said plurality of radially extending cross-piece members having said different widths.

34. The adjustable connector system according to claim 28 wherein the neck-shaped intermediary region includes a narrowed contraction region disposed between said plurality of cross-piece members, and said conically tapering insertion region.

40. The adjustable connector system according to claim 34 wherein:

said lower piece is a two-component part including a first region formed of a first hard material defining said housing member and a second region formed of a second soft material defining a lower part of said sealing flange whereby said spreader elements are adapted to selectively extend through said support opening, whereby the spreader elements are adapted to be spread radially outwardly behind said support opening through selective engagement with said intermediary region of said upper piece.

26. An adjustable connector system for holding an associated plate element in a spaced-apart relationship relative to an associated support member, the adjustable connector system comprising:

an engagement member adapted for embedded engagement with a support opening formed in an associated support member, the engagement member defining a central opening and further being adapted on a first end to spread open and engage a back side surface of the associated support member;

at least one counter-locking unit formed on the engagement member and extending radially inwardly into said central opening;

a first connector member having an upper piece and a lower piece, the first connector member defining a neck-shaped intermediary region adapted to be received in the central opening of the engagement member; and

,

a plurality of locking elements disposed on the neck-shaped intermediary region to selectively lockingly engage the at least one counter-locking unit when the first connector member is received in the central opening of the engagement member, the plurality of locking elements being cooperative with the engagement member to spread apart the first end of the engagement member into engagement with the back side surface of the associated support member when the first connector member is selectively received in the engagement member, the upper piece of the first connector member including a plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed along the longitudinal axis of the intermediary region, each of the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members carrying a set of said plurality of locking elements; and

, the lower piece of the first connector member including a sealing flange carrying a housing member, the housing member defining a recess having a shape in cross section adapted to receive the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed on the upper piece of the first connector member, the housing member carrying at least one counter catch member operative for selective engagement with said plurality of locking elements carried on the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members of the upper piece to selectively fasten the intermediary region to the sealing flange.

32. The adjustable connector system according to claim 26 wherein said insertion region carries at least two resilient catch lugs extending in opposite diagonal directions from the intermediary region.

38. The adjustable connector system according to claim 32 wherein said housing member includes at least one longitudinally extending slot formed in said housing member contiguous with said recess.

44. The adjustable connector system according to claim 38 wherein a lower part of said sealing flange includes a circumferential sealing lip disposed at an outer circumference of said sealing flange.

47. A connector apparatus for use in holding a plate element in a spaced-apart relationship relative to a support member, the connector apparatus comprising:

an engagement member adapted for embedded engagement in a support opening defined by an associated support member, the engagement member having a central opening and including a holding element made of a first hard material and an embedding element made of a second soft material, the embedding element being adapted to spread open and engage a back side surface of the associated support member;

at least one counter-locking unit carried on the holding element and extending radially inwardly into said central opening;

a first connector member having a first end, a second end, and a neck-shaped intermediary region between the first and second ends, the neck-shaped intermediary region being adapted to be received in the central opening of the engagement member; and

,

a plurality of locking elements on the neck-shaped intermediary region to selectively lockingly engage the at least one counter-locking unit when the first connector member is received in the central opening of the engagement member, the plurality of locking elements being cooperative with the engagement member to spread the embedding member open into engagement with said back side surface of the associated support member when the first connector member is selectively received in the engagement member.

48. The connector apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said first connector member includes, on said first end thereof:

at least two resilient guidance wings carried on a cylindrical member extending from the first end of the first connector member; and

,

a cone-shaped surface disposed between the cylindrical member and the plurality of locking elements formed on the intermediary region of the first connector member, the cone-shaped surface being adapted to engage an interior wall of said engagement member.

49. The connector apparatus according to claim 48 wherein:

the second end of the first connector member includes a plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed along the longitudinal axis of the intermediary region, each of the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members carrying a set of said plurality of locking elements; and

,

the first end of the first connector member includes a sealing flange carrying a housing member, the housing member defining a recess having a shape in cross section adapted to receive the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members formed on the second end of the first connector member, the housing member carrying at least one counter catch member operative for selective engagement with said plurality of locking elements carried on the plurality of radially extending cross-piece members of the second end to selectively fasten the intermediary region to the sealing flange.