Trim panel assembly for a motor vehicle

• US 6,485,049 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Stillwell, Tim, Schatz, Mark Bouvier, Prottengeier, Gregg
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US09/747,187
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 280/751, 296/39.1, 242/96, 242/97, 527/155
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• 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 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

A trim panel assembly for attachment to a body panel of a motor vehicle includes a main body portion and a mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement includes a first mounting member. The first mounting member has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg and a second leg. The first leg extends generally perpendicular to the main body portion. The second leg extends generally parallel to the main body portion. Preferably, the mounting arrangement further includes a second mounting member for resiliently biasing the main body portion downward. In one particular application, the trim panel assembly is a B-pillar trim panel assembly. In this particular application, the first mounting member extends through an aperture in the B-pillar and the second mounting member resiliently engages a housing of an airbag assembly.

Claims

1. A trim panel assembly for attachment to a body panel of a motor vehicle, the trim panel assembly comprising:

a main body portion; and

a mounting arrangement including a first mounting member having a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg and a second leg, the first leg extending generally perpendicular to the main body portion through an aperture in the body panel, the second leg extending generally parallel to the main body portion and adapted to be disposed on a side of the body panel opposite the main body portion, the mounting arrangement further including a second mounting member for resiliently biasing the main body portion downward.

2. The trim panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the first mounting member is integrally formed with the main body portion.

3. The trim panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the first mounting member is substantially rigid and non-resiliently connected to the main body portion.

4. The trim panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the second leg includes an angled segment to facilitate entry into the aperture of the body panel.

5. The trim panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the second mountng member is integrally formed with the main body portion.

6. A trim panel assembly in combination with a B-pillar of a motor vehicle, the B-pillar including an interior side having an aperture, the trim panel assembly comprising:

a main body portion; and

a mounting arrangement including a first mounting member having a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg and a second leg, the first leg extending generally perpendicular to the main body portion through the aperture in the interior side of the B-panel, the second leg extending generally parallel to the main body portion and disposed on a side of the interior side opposite the main body portion, the mounting arrangement further including a second mounting member for resiliently biasing the main body portion downward.

7. The trim panel assembly of claim 6, wherein the first mounting member is integrally formed with the main body portion.

8. The trim panel assembly of claim 6, wherein the first mounting member is substantially rigid and non-resiliently connected to the main body portion.

9. The trim panel assembly of claim 6, wherein the second leg includes an angle segment to facilitate entry into the aperture of the interior side of the B-pillar.

10. The trim panel assembly of claim 6, wherein the second mounting member is integrally formed with the main body portion.

11. A motor vehicle comprising:

a body including a B-pillar having an interior side defining an aperture;

an airbag assembly having a housing interconnected to the body of the motor vehicle; and

a trim panel assembly attached to the interior side of the B-pillar, the trim panel assembly including a main body portion and a mounting arrangement, the mounting arrangement including a first mounting member having a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg and a second leg, the first leg extending generally perpendicular to the main body portion through the aperture in the interior side of the B-pillar, the second leg extending generally parallel to the main body portion and disposed adjacent a side of the B-pillar opposite the main body portion, the mounting arrangement further having a second mounting member resiliently engaging the housing and biasing the main body portion downward.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 11, wherein the mounting member of the trim panel assembly is integrally formed with the main body portion.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 11 wherein the second leg includes an angled segment to facillitate entry into the aperture of the interior side of the B-pillar.

14. The motor vehicle of claim 11, wherein the second mounting member is integrally formed with the main body portion at an upper end of the main body portion.