Compensator assembly for a vehicle frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9302716-B2
Application number	US-201414252205-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 14, 2014
Priority date	Apr 14, 2014
Publication date	Apr 5, 2016
Grant date	Apr 5, 2016

Abstract

A compensator assembly for a vehicle frame includes a base member having a clip engaging a first frame component spaced from a second frame component. An extension member is threadably coupled with the base member. A fastener extends coaxially through the base and the extension members to engage the first and second frame components. Rotation of the fastener unthreads the extension member until it contacts the second frame component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A compensator assembly for spanning between first and second frame components, comprising:
a base member having a clip for engaging the first frame component;
an extension member coupled with the base member; and
a sleeve retained in the extension member and having an aperture extending through the base and inward protrusions for receiving a fastener and outward protrusions for engaging the extension member, wherein upon rotation of the sleeve, the extension member threadably rotates against the base member and away from the clip into contact with the second frame component.

2. The compensator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base member and the extension member are movable from an installation length spaced from the second frame component to a deployed length abutting the second frame component, such that further rotation of the fastener in the deployed length causes the fastener to engage between the first and second frame components.

3. The compensator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first frame component comprises a bracket extending from a roof rail and the second frame component comprises a moonroof structure.

4. The compensator assembly of claim 1 , wherein a first coefficient of friction between the sleeve and the fastener is greater than a second coefficient of friction between the base member and the extension member, such that the fastener overcomes the first coefficient of friction when the extension member contacts the second frame component.

5. The compensator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fastener extends coaxially through the base and extension members to engage the first and second frame components.

6. The compensator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clip is configured to engage an edge of the first frame component.

7. The compensator assembly of claim 6 , wherein the clip has a retention member biased toward a bottom surface of a platform member, whereby the clip engages the edge between the retention member and the bottom surface of the platform member.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Sahi Jaspinder S
• Reed John T

Classifications

• F16B37/044

  Nut cages · CPC title

• F16B5/0233

  allowing for adjustment perpendicular to the plane of the plates · CPC title

• B62D25/06

  Fixed roofs (non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08) · CPC title

• F16B37/02

  made of thin sheet material (fastening to surfaces F16B37/04 {; used as lock-nuts F16B39/14}) · CPC title

• F16B5/025

  specially designed to compensate for misalignement or to eliminate unwanted play · CPC title