Trim ring having reinforced snap posts

• US 8,052,189 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2009
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc), Toyota Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc), Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Moenter, Jonathan Keith, Weiss, Michael Harry, Gilleo, Kevin Lyle
• Primary Examiner(s): Morrow; Jason S
• Application Number:
  US12/628,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20110127804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.08, 296/214, 296/1.02, 296/216.06, 296/216.07, 296/97.9
• US Class Current: 296/1.08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0231 specially adapted for roofs with openings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/30 Trim molding fastener

Abstract

A snap post for use in conjunction with a snap lid to attach a trim ring to an opening of a headliner of an automotive vehicle is provided. The snap post includes an elongated leg extending outwardly from the trim ring. The elongated leg has a barb for engaging with the snap lid disposed on a distal end thereof. A support structure provides the elongated leg with sufficient reinforcement to withstand the stress imposed during the installation of the headliner, yet provides sufficient flexibility for the quick and easy attachment of the trim ring to the opening of the headliner.

Claims

1. A trim ring for attaching to an opening of a headliner of an automotive vehicle, said trim ring having a main wall, a flange, and a snap lid, the main wall bounding the opening, the flange extending outwardly from the main wall, and the snap lid connected to the main wall, said trim ring comprising:

a snap post having an elongated leg having a distal end, said elongated leg extending generally normal from the flange, said elongated leg supporting a barb disposed on said distal end for engaging with the snap lid of said trim ring; and

a support structure connected to said snap post, said support structure having a support leg and a support arm, said support leg being spaced apart from and extending generally parallel with said elongated leg, said support arm extending from said elongated leg to said support leg;

said snap post and said support structure being formed as one piece with said trim ring.

2. The trim ring of claim 1, wherein said elongated leg has a width, and wherein said support leg and said support arm extend along said width of said elongated leg.

3. The trim ring of claim 1, wherein said support leg is spaced three millimeters apart from said elongated leg.

4. The trim ring of claim 1, wherein a top side of said support arm is spaced at least six millimeters apart from a bottom side of said barb.

5. The trim ring of claim 1, wherein said support leg and said support arm are at least one millimeter thick.

6. The trim ring of claim 1, wherein said support structure includes a gusset extending between a top side of said support arm and said elongated leg.

7. A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an aperture, said headliner assembly comprising:

a headliner body having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the automotive vehicle roof, an opposite lower surface, and opening;

a trim ring bounding a peripheral edge of said opening, said trim ring having a main wall and an outwardly extending flange having an upper surface which contacts a portion of the lower surface of the headliner body;

a snap lid attached to said main wall by a living hinge;

a snap post having an elongated leg extending outwardly from said flange and a barb supported on a distal end of said elongated leg for engaging with said snap lid to compress said headliner body between said snap lid and said flange; and

a support structure having a support leg spaced apart from said elongated leg, and a support arm extending traversely from said elongated leg to said support leg.

8. The headliner assembly of claim 7, wherein said support leg extends generally parallel to said elongated leg.

9. The headliner assembly of claim 7, wherein said elongated leg has a width, and wherein said support arm extend along said width of said elongated leg.

10. The headliner assembly of claim 8, wherein said support leg is spaced three millimeters apart from said elongated leg.

11. The headliner assembly of claim 8, wherein a top side of said support arm is spaced at least six millimeters apart from a bottom side of said barb.

12. The headliner assembly of claim 8, wherein said support leg and said support arm are at least one millimeter thick.

13. The headliner assembly of claim 8, wherein said support structure includes a gusset extending between a top side of said support arm and said elongated leg.

14. A trim ring for attaching to an opening of a headliner body of an automotive vehicle, said trim ring comprising:

a main wall bounding a peripheral edge of the opening;

a flange extending outwardly from said main wall;

a snap lid connected to said main wall;

a snap post having an elongated leg extending outwardly from said flange and a barb supported on a distal end of said elongated leg for engaging with said snap lid to compress the headliner body between said snap lid and said flange; and

a support structure having a support leg spaced apart from said elongated leg, and a support arm extending traversely from said elongated leg to said support leg.

15. The trim ring of claim 14, wherein said snap lid is connected to said main wall by a living hinge.

16. The trim ring of claim 14, wherein said support leg extends generally parallel to said elongated leg.

17. The trim ring of claim 14, wherein said elongated leg has a width, and wherein said support arm extends along said width of said elongated leg.

18. The trim ring of claim 14, wherein said support structure includes a gusset extending between a top side of said support arm and said elongated leg.

19. The trim ring of claim 14, wherein said support leg is spaced three millimeters apart from said elongated leg, wherein a top side of said support arm is spaced at least six millimeters apart from a bottom side of said barb, and wherein said support leg and said support arm are at least one millimeter thick.