MOUNT INTERFACE TO SLIDE ON WINDSCREEN BUTTON

• US 20140063630A1
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Busscher, Bradley L., Cercone, Timothy J., Adams, Blake R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,174,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/241 of sheet metal
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/26 Attachments or mountings F16F1/182, F16F1/22 B60G11/10 take precedence

Abstract

A rearview device having a rearview display. A rearview device attachment assembly is connected with the rearview display and includes a mount and an attachment clip coupled to the mount. The attachment clip includes a base and first and second opposing flex members extending from the base, each including an arcuate flex portion extending from the base. A connecting portion extends from the arcuate flex portion at an angle toward the base. An engagement portion extends away from the connecting portion at an angle away from the base. First and second protrusions project from the mount, each extending through first and second slots, respectively, in the base. The first and second protrusions are in abutting contact with the engagement portion of the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, thereby forcing the first and second opposing flex members at least partially away from the base.

Claims

1. A rearview device attachment clip comprising:

a base; and

first and second opposing flex members extending from the base, the first and second opposing flex members including;

an arcuate flex portion extending from the base;

a connecting portion extending from the arcuate flex portion at an angle toward the base; and

an engagement portion extending away from the connecting portion at an angle away from the base.

2. The rearview device attachment clip of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second slots disposed in the base.

3. The rearview device attachment clip of claim 2, wherein the first and second slots include a V-shaped construction.

4. The rearview device attachment clip of claim 1, further comprising:

forward and rearward extensions angled away from the base.

5. The rearview device attachment clip of claim 1, wherein the base has a widened central section.

6. The rearview device attachment clip of claim 1, wherein the base includes a fastener receiving aperture.

7. A rearview device attachment assembly comprising:

a mount;

an attachment clip coupled to the mount and having a base and first and second opposing flex members extending from the base, the first and second opposing flex members including;

a flex portion extending from the base;

a connecting portion extending from the flex portion at an angle toward the base; and

an engagement portion extending away from the connecting portion at an angle away from the base; and

first and second protrusions projecting from the mount, the first and second protrusions extending through first and second slots, respectively, in the base, wherein the first and second protrusions are in abutting contact with the engagement portion of the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, thereby forcing the first and second opposing flex members at least partially away from the base.

8. The rearview device attachment assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a mounting button adapted to slidably engage the first and second opposing flex members of the attachment clip.

9. The rearview device attachment assembly of claim 8, wherein the attachment clip applies a force of less than 300 Newtons on the mounting button during installation.

10. The rearview device attachment assembly of claim 8, wherein the attachment clip applies a retention force of less than 300 Newtons on the mounting button.

11. The rearview device attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second protrusions deflect the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, approximately 1 to 1.4 millimeters.

12. The rearview device attachment assembly of claim 8, wherein the mounting button deflects the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, approximately 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters.

13. The rearview device attachment assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

forward and rearward extensions angled away from the base.

14. The rearview device attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein the base has a widened central section with a central fastener receiving aperture.

15. A rearview device comprising:

a rearview display;

a rearview device attachment assembly connected with the rearview display and comprising;

a mount and an attachment clip coupled to the mount, the attachment clip having a base and first and second opposing flex members extending from the base, the first and second opposing flex members including;

an arcuate flex portion extending from the base;

a connecting portion extending from the arcuate flex portion at an angle toward the base; and

an engagement portion extending away from the connecting portion at an angle away from the base; and

first and second protrusions projecting from the mount, the first and second protrusions extending through first and second slots, respectively, in the base, wherein the first and second protrusions are in abutting contact with the engagement portion of the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, thereby forcing the first and second opposing flex members at least partially away from the base.

16. The rearview device of claim 15, further comprising:

a mounting button adapted to slidably engage the first and second opposing flex members of the attachment clip.

17. The rearview device of claim 16, wherein the attachment clip applies a force of less than 300 Newtons on the mounting button during installation.

18. The rearview device of claim 16, wherein the attachment clip applies a retention force of less than 300 Newtons on the mounting button.

19. The rearview device of claim 15, wherein the first and second protrusions deflect the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, approximately 1 to 1.4 millimeters.

20. The rearview device of claim 16, wherein the mounting button deflects the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, approximately 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters.