Panel sealing apparatus and a method of assembling the panel sealing apparatus

• US 9,669,882 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2015
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Allen, Todd E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Condra, Darlene P
• Application Number:
  US14/811,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20170029041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/02 Side panels B62D33/046 takes precedence; sideboards for open load compartments B62D33/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/14 Dashboards as superstructure sub-units other dashboard aspects B60K
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/24 Superstructure sub-units with access or drainage openings having movable or removable closures; Sealing means thereforinlet covers for vehicle fuel tanks B60K15/05
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 27/02 rigid
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/02 for carrying large numbers of passengers, e.g. omnibus
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/06 the sub-units or components being doors, windows, openable roofs, lids, bonnets, or weather strips or seals therefor assembling sealing arrangements with vehicle parts, e.g. doors, windows B60J10/45

Abstract

A method of assembling a panel sealing apparatus and the panel sealing apparatus includes a panel. The panel defines an aperture and a sealing assembly. The assembly includes a first component and a second component, with the second component at least partially surrounding the first component and is secured to the first component to form a unit. In certain embodiments, the assembly includes a plurality of clips disconnected from each other, each configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from each other and attached to the panel separately from the unit. In other embodiments, the assembly includes a band and a plurality of clips each independently attachable to and detachable from the band, each of the clips configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from the unit and the clips attached to the band before placement of the clips in the aperture.

Claims

1. A panel sealing apparatus comprising:

a panel defining an aperture;

a sealing assembly including;

a first component formed of an elastomeric material;

a second component formed of a rigid material, with the second component at least partially surrounding the first component and secured to the first component to form a unit; and

a plurality of clips disconnected from each other and each configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from each other and attached to the panel separately from the unit, wherein the unit is attached to the clips to couple the unit to the panel after placement of the clips in the aperture.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the clips includes a first side and a second side opposing the first side, with the first side of each of the clips defining a slot to receive the panel which attaches the clips to the panel.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of the clips includes a tab facing outwardly away from the first side, with the second component engaging the tab of each of the clips to attach the unit to the clips.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the second component includes a body having an outer surface facing the second side of each of the clips, with at least a portion of the outer surface and at least a portion of the second side of each of the clips being complementary to each other to limit movement of the second component relative to the clips.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the clips includes a tab, with the second component engaging the tab of each of the clips to attach the unit to the clips.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the second component includes a lip facing the clips, with the lip engaging the tab of each of the clips to attach the unit to the clips.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the lip includes a ramp and a platform, with the tab of each of the clips being biasable along the ramp and the platform to attach the unit to the clips.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the second component includes a body and a flange extending from the body, with the flange overlapping a portion of the body in a spaced relationship to present a space that allows the tab of each of the clips to bias therein.