Clip design for attaching a bracket to an existing bracket or panel

Abstract

A bracket for coupling a component to a vehicle including a mounting structure defining an aperture is disclosed. The bracket has a first portion including at least one mounting structure clip configured to engage the mounting structure about a periphery of the aperture. The bracket also has a second portion including a component clip configured to engage the component.

1 . A bracket for coupling a component to a vehicle including a mounting structure defining an aperture, the bracket comprising:
 a first portion including at least one mounting structure clip configured to engage the mounting structure about a periphery of the aperture; and   a second portion including a component clip configured to engage the component.   
     
     
         2 . The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting structure clip includes a first clip and a second clip. 
     
     
         3 . The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second clips are configured to engage diametrically opposing portions of the periphery of the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the first clip is hook-shaped and includes two hook portions spaced apart by a thickness of the mounting structure about the periphery. 
     
     
         5 . The bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the second clip includes a tooth that projects into the aperture and a backwall that engages an edge of the mounting structure spaced from the aperture when the bracket is engaged with the mounting structure. 
     
     
         6 . The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein a proximal end of the first clip is configured to engage a first side of the mounting structure and a distal end of the first clip and the second clip are configured to engage a second side of the mounting structure opposing the first side. 
     
     
         7 . The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a pair of flanges spaced approximately equal to a width of the mounting structure such that the flanges contact respective side surfaces of the mounting structure. 
     
     
         8 . A method for coupling a component to a vehicle including a primary mounting structure defining an aperture, the method comprising:
 attaching the component to a secondary mounting structure including a first clip; and   attaching the secondary mounting structure to the primary mounting structure by engaging the first clip of the: secondary mounting structure to the primary mounting structure about a periphery of the aperture.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the secondary mounting structure includes a second clip, and wherein attaching the secondary mounting structure to the primary mounting structure further comprises engaging the second clip to the primary mounting structure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the primary mounting structure defines at least one lateral edge spaced apart from the aperture, and wherein engaging the second clip to the primary mounting structure includes engaging the second clip with the lateral edge. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein engaging the second clip to the primary mounting structure includes engaging the second clip to the primary mounting structure about the periphery of the aperture diametrically opposite the first clip. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising attaching a conduit to the component. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the conduit is one of a wire harness and a hose. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the primary mounting structure is attached to an interior of a vehicle panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the vehicle panel is one of an instrument panel and a body panel. 
     
     
         16 . A component mounting assembly for a vehicle comprising:
 a conduit;   a primary mounting bracket attached to the vehicle;   the primary mounting bracket having a primary bearing surface defined by at least three lateral sides, a first aperture through the primary bearing surface, the first aperture sized to permit insertion of the conduit therethrough;   a secondary mounting bracket having a secondary bearing surface engaging the primary bearing surface of the primary mounting bracket, the secondary mounting bracket having a first clip depending from the secondary bearing surface and engaging the primary bearing surface, wherein the first clip protrudes through the first aperture of the primary mounting bracket; and   a component attached to the secondary mounting bracket and to the conduit.   
     
     
         17 . The component mounting assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the secondary mounting bracket further comprises a second clip spaced apart from the secondary bearing surface by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of the primary mounting bracket about the first aperture, the second clip including a tooth projecting into the first aperture toward the primary bearing surface that engages a periphery of the primary mounting bracket about the first aperture, and the second clip having a backwall engaging at least one of the lateral sides of the primary mounting structure. 
     
     
         18 . The component mounting assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the primary bearing surface has a second aperture spaced from the first aperture; and
 wherein the secondary mounting bracket further comprises a second clip spaced apart from the secondary bearing surface by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of the primary mounting bracket about the second aperture, the second clip including a tooth projecting into the first aperture toward the primary bearing surface that engages a first periphery of the primary mounting bracket about the first aperture, and the second clip having a backwall engaging a second periphery of the primary mounting bracket about the second aperture.   
     
     
         19 . The component mounting assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first clip defines a clasp portion spaced from the secondary bearing surface by a distance approximately equal to a thickness of the primary mounting bracket about the first aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The component mounting assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the secondary mounting bracket includes a portion angled relative to the secondary bearing surface and including a third clip engaged with the component.