Trim clip

Abstract

A clip having a body portion and a fastener portion is provided. The clip has an opening extending therethrough that is securable to a trim panel post. The fastener portion is retained at least partially within the opening. One or more prongs of the fastener portion secure the trim panel post to the clip. One or more spring-arms on the body portion are biased in an outward direction and snap or other fit into the body panel to secure the body panel to the clip.

1 . A clip for securing a first component to a second component comprising:
 a body portion having an opening formed therethrough;   a spring-arm extending from the body portion, the spring-arm biased at an outward position from the body portion, wherein force applied to the spring-arm moves the spring-arm toward the opening to secure the spring arm to the first component; and   a fastener portion retained within the opening, the fastener portion having a plurality of prongs for securing to the second component.   
     
     
         2 . The clip of  claim 1  wherein the fastener portion is integrally formed with the body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The clip of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a wall or ridge for retaining the fastener portion within the body portion.   
     
     
         4 . The clip of  claim 1  wherein fastener portion is separable from the body portion. 
     
     
         5 . The clip of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a projection extending from the body portion and outward from the opening.   
     
     
         6 . The clip of  claim 5  wherein the projection has a domed end at one end of the clip. 
     
     
         7 . The clip of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a tensioner extending radially from the spring-arm and sized to secure about the first component.   
     
     
         8 . The clip of  claim 1  wherein a wall extends from the tensioner. 
     
     
         9 . The clip of  claim 1  wherein the wall has a recess that has a diameter or size less than a size or diameter of the fastener portion such that the fastener portion is retained within the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The clip of  claim 9  wherein the wall is located on an opposite side of the tensioner than the spring-arm. 
     
     
         11 . The clip of  claim 9  wherein the size of the opening is greater at the wall than the size of the opening at the spring-arm. 
     
     
         12 . A clip for securing a body panel to a trim panel having a post extending therefrom, the clip comprising:
 a body portion having a central opening sized and shaped for receiving the post;   a fastener portion disposed at least partially within the central opening; and   one or more prongs connected to the fastener portion and extending at least partially within the central opening, the one or more prongs securable to the post.   
     
     
         13 . The clip of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a plurality of spring-arms positioned about the body portion, the spring-arms biased in a first direction.   
     
     
         14 . The clip of  claim 13  wherein the spring-arms are engagable with an aperture in the body panel and securing the body panel to the clip. 
     
     
         15 . The clip of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a ridge positioned within the central opening for retaining the fastener portion.   
     
     
         16 . The clip of  15  wherein the ridge has a size smaller than the size of the fastener portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method for securing a trim panel to a body panel comprising the steps of:
 providing a clip having an opening extending therthrough, the clip having a fastener portion with a plurality of prongs and a body portion having at least one snap-arm capable of moving from an outward position to an inward position with respect to the opening;   positioning a portion of the trim panel within the central opening;   securing the portion of the trim panel to the clip by use of the plurality of prongs; and   inserting the clip into the body panel such that the spring-arm secures the clip to the body panel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein inserting the clip into the body panel moves the spring-arm from the outward position to the inward position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the spring-arm biases to the outward position to secure the clip to the body panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fastener portion is retained within the opening of the clip.