Connection assembly for use between a support and a plate element

Patent 5106223 Issued on April 21, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 3, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Upholstery fixing device
Patent #: 4505611
Issued on: 03/19/1985
Inventor: Nagashima , et al.

Automotive column cover
Patent #: 4867599
Issued on: 09/19/1989
Inventor: Sasajima

Molding support assembly Patent #: 5038444
Issued on: 08/13/1991
Inventor: Gordon

Inventor

Kraus, Willibald

Application

No. 695616 filed on 05/03/1991

US Classes:

403/11, WITH ADJUNCTIVE PROTECTOR, BROKEN PARTS RETAINER, REPAIR, ASSEMBLY OR DISASSEMBLY FEATURE24/297, Plastic type24/581.1, Resilient element (e.g., snap type)24/669And access opening with gapped perimeter for allowing movement of noninserted projection support therepast

Examiners

Primary: Kundrat, Andrew V.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Fay, Sharpe, Beall, Fagan, Minnich & McKee

Foreign Patent References

2626140 DE. 12/19/1977
3034569 DE. 07/19/1984
3029845 DE. 05/19/1985
1499495 FR. 09/19/1967
1572541 FR. 06/19/1969
1036423 GB. 07/19/1966

International Class

B25G 003/00

Foreign Application Priority Data

1990-05-07 DE

Abstract

The invention is concerned with an assembly for providing a connection between a support 1, for example, a body part of a motor vehicle, and a plate element 2, for example, a wall panel of a motor vehicle. The assembly generally includes a molded plastic holding element 4 which can be releasably connected into an aperture 3 of the support 1. The holding element 4 is equipped with a head piece 5. The assembly also includes an upper part or component 6 which is attachable to the plate element 2. Between the upper part 6 and the holding element 4 is a middle piece or component 7. The middle piece 7 includes an upper area 8 which is designed so that it can be snapped into the upper part 6. A lower portion 9 of the middle piece 7 is designed for lateral insertion of the head piece 5 of the holding element 4. The relationship between the middle part 7 and the other two components of the assembly is such that significant compensation for tolerance and distance variations is provided in directions transverse and perpendicular to the plate element 2.