Mounting assembly for rearview device

• US 10,190,610 B1
• Filed: 10/13/2017
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Busscher, Bradley L., Cercone, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Todd M
• Application Number:
  US15/783,404
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 2484751, 248476, 248549, 359842, 359871-877
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/22 of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material F16B2/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/245 external, i.e. with contracting action
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/02 Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/121 fastened over the edge(s) of the sheet(s) or plate(s)
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/125 one of the auxiliary fasteners is comprising wire or sheet material or is made thereof

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a rearview device. A windshield bracket defines a central aperture and includes internal ledges disposed about the central aperture. A mount is operably coupled with the rearview device. The mount includes pre-loading posts. A spring clip includes a base and a plurality of legs. Each leg includes an upright portion extending from the base. A connecting portion extends inwardly from the upright portion. An engagement portion extends upward away from the base. At least one loading lever extends laterally from the connecting portion.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for a rearview device, the mounting assembly comprising:

a windshield bracket having a body that includes ledges disposed about the body;

a mount operably coupled with said rearview device, the mount including pre-loading posts; and

a spring clip including a base and a plurality of legs, each leg including;

an upright portion extending from the base;

a connecting portion extending inwardly from the upright portion;

an engagement portion extending upward away from the base; and

at least one loading lever extending laterally from the connecting portion.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion includes an engagement ramp extending at an angle relative to the engagement portion.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one loading lever includes first and second loading levers extending outwardly from the connecting portion.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second loading levers are on opposite sides of the connecting portion and extend in opposite directions.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the pre-loading posts force the connecting portion of the spring clip away from the base of the spring clip.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a locating post extending through at least one of the plurality of legs of the spring clip.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein one pre-loading post extends on opposing sides of each of the plurality of legs of the spring clip.

8. A mounting assembly for a rearview device, the mounting assembly comprising:

a mount operably coupled with said rearview device, the mount including at least one pre-loading post; and

a spring clip including a base and a plurality of legs, each leg including;

an upright portion extending from the base;

a connecting portion extending inwardly from the upright portion;

an engagement portion extending upward away from the base; and

at least one loading lever extending laterally from the connecting portion, the at least one loading lever configured to engage the at least one pre-loading post, which pushes the engagement portion away from the base.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the pre-loading posts force the connecting portion of the spring clip away from the base of the spring clip.

10. The mounting assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a locating post extending through at least one of the plurality of legs of the spring clip.

11. The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein one pre-loading post extends on opposing sides of each of the plurality of legs of the spring clip.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the engagement portion includes an engagement ramp extending at an angle relative to the engagement portion.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one loading lever includes first and second loading levers extending outwardly from the connecting portion.

14. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second loading levers are on opposite sides of the connecting portion and extend in opposite directions.

15. A spring clip for a mounting assembly for a rearview device, the spring clip comprising:

a base; and

a plurality of legs extending outwardly from the base, each leg including;

an upright portion extending from the base;

a connecting portion extending inwardly from the upright portion;

an engagement portion extending upward away from the base; and

at least one loading lever extending laterally from the connecting portion, the at least one loading lever configured to engage a pre-loading post of a mount to push the engagement portion away from the base.

16. The mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the engagement portion includes an engagement ramp extending at an angle relative to the engagement portion.

17. The mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one loading lever includes first and second loading levers extending outwardly from the connecting portion.

18. The mounting assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and second loading levers are on opposite sides of the connecting portion and extend in opposite directions.