Channel fastener

Abstract

A channel fastener is described. The channel fastener may secure molding to a vehicle roof ditch and includes a retainer clip and a fastener. The retainer clip includes a body having an opening for receiving a pin, an attachment feature located on an end of the body, a clamp feature located on either side of the opening, and wings extending from the body. The attachment feature secures the molding to the channel fastener. The wings center and align the channel fastener within the roof ditch. The fastener includes an aperture for receiving the pin, wherein the fastener may be slidably secured within the body. The fastener may slide laterally and longitudinally from a center of the retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch.

1 . A channel fastener for securing molding to a vehicle roof ditch, said channel fastener comprising:
 a retainer clip comprising:
 a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin; 
 at least one attachment feature located on an end of said body; 
 a clamp feature located on either side of said opening; 
   a fastener having an aperture capable of receiving the pin, wherein said fastener is capable of being slidably secured within said body via said clamp feature.   
   
   
       2 . The channel fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said opening and said aperture are shaped to allow for adjustment of said channel fastener in the roof ditch about the pin. 
   
   
       3 . The channel fastener of  claim 2 , wherein said fastener is capable of sliding laterally from a center of said retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch. 
   
   
       4 . The channel fastener of  claim 2 , wherein said fastener is capable of sliding longitudinally from a center of said retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch. 
   
   
       5 . The channel fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said clamp feature includes a tab and a projection. 
   
   
       6 . The channel fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said wings align said channel fastener within the roof ditch. 
   
   
       7 . The channel fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment feature secures the molding to said channel fastener. 
   
   
       8 . The channel fastener of  claim 7 , wherein said attachment feature includes a post, a canopy, and at least one tension wing. 
   
   
       9 . The clamp fastener of  claim 1  further including at least one structural member. 
   
   
       10 . The channel fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is a pushnut. 
   
   
       11 . A channel fastener for securing molding to a vehicle roof ditch, said channel fastener comprising:
 a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin;   at least one attachment feature located on an end of said body;   a clamp feature located on either side of said opening;   at least one wing extending from said body, wherein said wing is capable of centering said channel fastener within the roof ditch; and   a fastener having an aperture, wherein said fastener is capable of being secured within said body.   
   
   
       12 . The channel fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said channel fastener includes a pair of wings. 
   
   
       13 . The channel fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one wing is flexible to allow said channel fastener to be used in a roof ditch having varying widths. 
   
   
       14 . The channel fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one wing extends laterally from said body to prevent misalignment of said channel fastener in the roof ditch. 
   
   
       15 . The channel fastener of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one wing is flexible to withstand any expansion and contraction of the roof ditch and the molding. 
   
   
       16 . A channel fastener for securing molding to a vehicle roof ditch, said channel fastener comprising:
 a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin;   at least one attachment feature located on an end of said body, said attachment feature comprising:
 a post extending outward from said body; 
 a canopy located on an end of said post; and 
 at least one tension wing located at an opposite end of said post; 
   a clamp feature located on either side of said opening;   a fastener having an aperture, wherein said fastener is capable of being secured within said body.   
   
   
       17 . The channel fastener of  claim 16 , wherein said attachment feature includes a pair of tension wings. 
   
   
       18 . The channel fastener of  claim 16 , wherein the molding is secured between said canopy and said at least one tension wing. 
   
   
       19 . The channel fastener of  claim 18 , wherein said opening and said aperture are shaped to allow for adjustment of said channel fastener in the roof ditch about the pin. 
   
   
       20 . The channel fastener of  claim 18 , wherein said channel fastener is capable of longitudinal and lateral movement during installation.