Clip wtih corresponding clip housing

Abstract

A clip with dual attachment flanges that is easily attachable, removable and re-attachable to and from a vehicle, such as an automobile, boat, snowmobile, or other similar structure. The clip comprises a base, whereby a male member projects perpendicularly from the base on one side of the base substantially from a leg member of the base, first and second legs project from a cross-member substantially in the same plane as the base, the first and second legs projecting from the cross-member on opposite ends of the cross-member, and attachment flanges at the outermost ends of each of the first and second legs. A corresponding clip housing attached to a trim part is provided with flange receipt channels that receive the flanges of the first and second legs to secure the trim part to the clip. The first and second legs of the clip are thus slid over portions of the clip housing to seat the flanges of the first and second legs in their respective flange receipt channels. Slide guide channels may be provided to help align the first and second legs of the clip for easier insertion or removal of the trim part from the clip.

1 . A combination for attaching an automotive trim part to a mounting surface of an automotive structure, said combination comprising a clip and a clip housing: 
 1) said clip adapted for connecting said trim part to said clip housing and comprising 
 a) a base  
 b) a male member projecting from said base, said male member including a raised surface portion thereby defining a gap between said base and said raised surface portion, said gap adapted for secure engagement of said mounting surface therein;  
 c) a leg member projecting from the base, said leg having a distal end spaced from said base and a flange disposed at said distal end;  
   2) said clip housing attached to said trim part and comprising: 
 a) a generally planar engagement surface;  
 b) a first recessed portion of said engagement surface defining a first reception area adapted for snug reception of at least a portion of said clip base therein;  
 c) a recessed portion of said engagement surface in the form of a flange receipt channel having opposing wall members connected by a bottom flange receipt channel surface, said channel adapted for snug receipt of said clip leg flange therein; 
 whereby said trim part may be securely connected to said mounting surface of said automotive structure and wherein pivotal movement of said flange away from said bottom channel surface and subsequent sliding movement of said flange along said channel will result in separation of said trim part from said mounting structure.  
 
   
   
   
       2 . The combination as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said clip comprises a pair of leg members with said male member projecting upwardly between said leg members, both of said leg members including a flange at a distal end thereof, said clip house comprising first and second flange receipt channels formed therein; one of said first and second flange receipt channels being in communication with said first recessed portion of said engagement surface, and the other of said first and second flange receipt channels spaced from said first recessed portion of said engagement surface and having an open end portion whereby said flanges may be pivoted relative to said channels and slid therealong to separate said trim part from said mounting surface.  
   
   
       3 . Combination as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first and second flange receipt channels are substantially “L” shaped when viewed in plan.  
   
   
       4 . Combination as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said flange receipt channel comprises a ramped portion.  
   
   
       5 . Combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first recessed portion of said engagement surface of said clip house comprises a locator tab, said base of said clip comprising a recess therein adapted for mating with said locator tab.  
   
   
       6 . Combination as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said clip comprises a pair of leg members and wherein said male member projects upwardly between said leg members, both of said leg members including a flange at a distal end thereof, said clip house comprising first and second flange receipt channels formed therein, each of said flange receipt channels having a ramped portion.  
   
   
       7 . Combination as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said raised surface portion extends laterally from said male member and comprises a rounded surface portion.  
   
   
       8 . Combination as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said male member projects generally perpendicularly from said base.  
   
   
       9 . A combination of detachable clip attachable to a vehicle structure and a corresponding clip housing attached to a trim part attachable to the clip, the combination wherein, 
 said clip comprises: 
 a base having a leg member and a cross-member located in common plane;  
 a male member projecting perpendicularly from one side of the base;  
 a raised portion on opposed sides of the male member defining a gap distance from an upper surface of the base, wherein the male member is insertable to a portion of the vehicle structure that seats in the gap distance;  
 a first end leg projecting from said base and ending in a free end;  
 a second end leg projecting from said base in a same direction as the first end leg projects and ending in a free end;  
 an attachment flange at the free end of each of the first end leg and the second end leg; and  
 a corresponding clip housing comprising:  
 a substantially rectangular member having a top, bottom, front, rear and side surface;  
 a central recess adapted for secure engagement of at least a portion of said clip base therein;  
 a first flange receipt channel on the top surface at one end of the rectangular member for receiving the flange of the first end leg; and  
 a second flange receipt channel on the top surface at another end of the rectangular member, the second flange receipt channel for receiving the flange of the second end leg.  
   
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second flange receipt channels comprises at least one ramp, each ramp easing the entry or exit of the flange at the free end of the first end leg and the second end leg.  
   
   
       11 . A combination of a detachable clip attachable to a vehicle structure and a corresponding clip housing attached to a trim part attachable to the clip, the combination comprising: 
 a clip comprising: 
 a base having a leg member and a cross-member in a same plane:  
 a male member projecting perpendicularly from one side of the base;  
 a raised portion on opposed sides of the male member defining a gap distance from an upper surface of the base to said raised portions, wherein the male member is insertable to a portion of the vehicle structure that seats in the gap distance;  
 a first end leg projecting from said base and ending in a free end;  
 a second end leg projecting from said base in the same direction as the first end leg projects and ending in a free end;  
 an attachment flange at the free end of each of the first end leg and the second end leg; and  
   a corresponding clip house comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular member having a top, bottom, front, rear, and side surface;  
 a central recess adapted for secure engagement of at least a portion of said clip base therein;  
 a first L-shaped leg channel outside the central recess and positioned toward one end of the rectangular member, the first L-shaped channel comprising a straight leg and a cross-member on the top surface of the rectangular member, wherein the first end leg is received in the first L-shaped channel until the flange seats in the cross-member; and  
 a second leg channel inside the central recess and positioned toward another end of the rectangular member, the second leg channel comprising a straight leg portion and a cross-member on the top surface of the rectangular member, wherein the second end leg is received in the second L-shaped channel until the flange seats in the cross-member.  
   
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 11  wherein each of the first channel cross-member and the second channel cross-member comprises at least one ramp therein.