One-piece integrated snap fastening mechanism

Abstract

A one-piece fastening mechanism for attaching a first member such as a molding or trim piece to a second member such as the side panel of a motor vehicle, the fastening mechanism being preferably integrally formed with the molding or trim piece and including a body portion having a first opening extending longitudinally along substantially the full length thereof and a second opening extending transversely through the body portion. The body portion and the transverse opening define a plurality of resiliently flexible barbs or detents, the fastening member being sufficiently flexible so as to be compressed during insertion into an aperture associated with the second member whereby the plurality of detents are moved into engagement with the peripheral edge portions of the aperture.

1 . A one-piece mechanism for attaching a molding piece to a housing structure comprising a body portion having a distal end for insertion into an aperture associated with a housing structure, and a proximal end attached to the molding piece, said distal end having at least two bend points, said body portion having a first opening which extends longitudinally along substantially the full length of the body portion and a second opening which extends transversely through the body portion whereby said body portion and said second opening define a plurality of resiliently flexible detents spaced from the proximal end of the body portion, said plurality of detents being engageable with the housing structure when said body portion is inserted into the aperture thereby maintaining the molding piece in attachment with the housing structure.  
   
   
       2 . The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said body portion is integrally attached to the molding piece.  
   
   
       3 . The mechanism of  claim 2  wherein said body portion is sufficiently flexible to be compressed during insertion into the aperture of the housing structure when pressure is applied at the proximal end of the body portion during such insertion.  
   
   
       4 . The mechanism of  claim 2  wherein said distal end includes two bend points spaced in parallel relationship to one another such that said body portion is sufficiently flexible to be compressed during insertion into the aperture of the housing structure when pressure is applied to the proximal end of the body portion during such insertion and sufficiently resilient to return substantially to its original position when said plurality of detents pass the periphery of the housing aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The mechanism of  claim 4  wherein said detents are spaced in substantially parallel relationship from one another on at least two opposed sides of the mechanism.  
   
   
       6 . A one-piece mechanism associated with a vehicle body molding adapted to engage an aperture in a vehicle side panel comprising a body portion attached at its proximal end to a vehicle body molding, said body portion having a distal end for insertion into an aperture in a vehicle side panel, said distal end having at least two bend points, said body portion further having a first opening extending longitudinally substantially the full length of the body portion and a second opening extending transversely completely therethrough whereby said second opening defines a plurality of detents spaced in substantial alignment with one another on at least two sides of the mechanism and spaced from the proximal end of the body portion, said plurality of detents maintaining the body portion within the aperture of a vehicle side panel when the mechanism is inserted therewithin.  
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 6  wherein said body portion is integrally attached to said vehicle body molding.  
   
   
       8 . The mechanism of  claim 7  wherein said body portion is sufficiently flexible to be compressed during insertion into the side panel aperture when pressure is applied against the distal end of the body portion and sufficiently resilient to return substantially to its original position when such pressure is removed.  
   
   
       9 . The mechanism of  claim 7  wherein said distal end includes two bend points spaced in substantial alignment with one another such that said body portion is sufficiently flexible to be compressed during insertion into the side panel aperture when pressure is applied against the distal end of the body portion during such insertion and sufficiently resilient to return substantially to its original position when said plurality of detents are pushed through the side panel aperture.  
   
   
       10 . The mechanism of  claim 6  wherein the shape of the body portion at its distal end includes two bend points, one bend point being located on one side portion of the body portion and the other bend point being located on an opposed side portion of the body portion adjacent the transverse opening.  
   
   
       11 . The mechanism of  claim 10  wherein the body portion is substantially in the shape of a hexagon at its distal end.  
   
   
       12 . A one-piece mechanism for attaching a molding piece to a housing structure comprising a body portion having a distal end substantially in the shape of a hexagon for insertion into an aperture associated with a housing structure and a proximal end attached to the molding piece, said substantially hexagonally shaped distal end providing at least two bend points, said body portion having an opening which extends longitudinally along substantially the full length of the body portion and an opening which extends transversely through said body portion, said body portion further having a plurality of detents spaced from the proximal end of the body portion for maintaining the body portion in engagement with the housing structure, the body portion being sufficiently flexible to be compressed during insertion within the housing aperture and being sufficiently resilient to return substantially to its original position when said plurality of detents are inserted through the housing structure.  
   
   
       13 . Decorative trim for attaching to a side panel of a vehicle comprising a trim piece integrally attached to the proximal end of a body portion, the body portion having a distal end for insertion into an aperture associated with a vehicle side panel, said distal end having at least two bend points, said body portion further having a first opening extending longitudinally along substantially the full length of the body portion and a second opening extending transversely through the body portion whereby said body portion and said second opening define a plurality of resiliently flexible detents spaced from the proximal end of the body portion for maintaining said body portion within the aperture associated with a vehicle side panel when said plurality of detents are inserted therewithin.  
   
   
       14 . The decorative trim of  claim 13  wherein said body portion is sufficiently flexible to be compressed during insertion into the aperture associated with a vehicle side panel when pressure is applied at the proximal end of the body portion during such insertion process, said body portion being sufficiently resilient to return substantially to its original position when said plurality of detents pass the periphery of the side panel aperture.  
   
   
       15 . The decorative trim of  claim 14  wherein said two bend points are located in spaced apart substantially parallel relationship to each other.  
   
   
       16 . The decorative trim of  claim 15  wherein said plurality of detents are spaced in substantially parallel relationship from one another on at least two opposed sides of said body portion.  
   
   
       17 . A fastening member for attaching a first member to a second member wherein the second member includes an aperture, the fastening member comprising a body portion having a proximal end attached to the first member and a distal end for insertion into the aperture associated with the second member, said distal end having at least two flex points associated therewith, said body portion further including a first opening extending longitudinally along substantially the full length of said body portion and a second opening extending transversely to said first opening and through said body portion, said body portion and said second opening defining a plurality of barbs spaced from the proximal end of said body portion, the distal end of said body portion being sufficiently flexible to be compressed during insertion into the aperture associated with the second member whereby said plurality of barbs are moved into engagement with peripheral edge portions of the aperture.  
   
   
       18 . The fastening member of  claim 17  wherein at least the distal end of said body portion is substantially in the shape of a hexagon.  
   
   
       19 . The fastening member of  claim 17  wherein said second opening includes opposed side walls which are tapered along at least a portion of the length of said opening.  
   
   
       20 . The fastening member of  claim 17  wherein said second opening includes opposed side walls, said opposed side walls having two tapered portions along at least a portion of the length of said opening, the intersection of said tapered portions defining said plurality of flexible barbs.