Self-adjusting latching connection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9908484-B2
Application number	US-201615149819-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 9, 2016
Priority date	May 8, 2015
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

A self-adjusting latching connection include a first component having a latching projection, and a second component having an opening into which the latching projection can be inserted in a mating direction and latched in a final position on a base, on which one of the two components is movably guided transverse to the mating direction between a resting position and a locking position. A spring acts on the one component in the direction of the resting position, and a bolt detachably fixes the one component in the locking position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A self-adjusting latching connection comprising:
a first component having a latching projection;
a second component having an opening into which the latching projection is insertable in a mating direction and latched in a final position;
a base, on which one of the first and second components is movably guided transverse to the mating direction between a resting position and a locking position, the base defining a first slit in a wall of the base and a second slit defined in the wall of the base that crosses the first slit;
a spring acting on the one of the first and second components in the direction of the resting position; and
a bolt that detachably fixes the one of the first and second components in the locking position, the bolt coupled to the latching projection by a hinge, the bolt including a side coupled to the hinge and an inclined surface coupled to the side, and the inclined surface latches into the second slit in the locking position.

2. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein the bolt is shiftable in the mating direction in order to release the one of the first and second components from the locking position.

3. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein the other one of the first and second components is shaped so as to shift the bolt while inserting the latching projection into the opening.

4. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein the one of the first and second components is guided in the first slit in the wall of the base.

5. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 4 , wherein the slit is open toward one end face of the base, and the one of the first and second components is insertable into the first slit via the end face.

6. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 4 , wherein the bolt comprises an actuating projection which protrudes from the base through the first slit in the wall of the base.

7. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein the latching projection is coupled to a base plate of the one of the first and second components, and the latching projection and the base plate border a groove into which the base engages.

8. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 7 , wherein the hinge is formed between the base plate and bolt.

9. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 8 , wherein the hinge comprises a film hinge.

10. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein the spring and the one of the first and second components is a single part.

11. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein the opening and the latching connection are arranged between the bolt and the spring.

12. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein a component joined with the base exhibits a longitudinal edge oriented transverse to the mating direction and transverse to the direction of movement between the resting position and locking position.

13. The self-adjusting latching connection according to claim 1 , wherein a component joined with the base is at least one of a trim, a blind or a cover for a motor vehicle body.

14. A self-adjusting latching connection comprising:
a first component having a latching projection;
a second component having an opening into which the latching projection is insertable in a mating direction and latched in a final position;
a base, on which the first component is movably guided transverse to the mating direction between a resting position and a locking position, the base defining a first slit in a wall of the base and a second slit defined in the wall of the base that crosses the first slit;
a spring acting on the first component in the direction of the resting position;
a base plate coupled to the spring and the latching projection; and
a bolt that detachably fixes the first component in the locking position, the bolt coupled to the base plate by a hinge, the bolt including a side coupled to the hinge, an inclined surface coupled to the side and an actuating projection, the inclined surface latches into the second slit in the locking position and the actuating projection protrudes from the base through the first slit in the wall of the base, the actuating projection movable relative to the base to release the inclined surface from the second slit in the final position.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Rogge Andreas
• Mueller Alexander

Classifications

• F16B21/06 Primary

  Releasable fastening devices with snap-action {(quickly-detachable or mountable nuts to threaded bolts F16B37/0842)} · CPC title

• F16B13/04 Primary

  with parts gripping in the hole or behind the reverse side of the wall after inserting from the front ({F16B13/002 and F16B13/12 take precedence;} friction-grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00) · CPC title

• B60R13/0206

  Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings (devices for fastening or securing F16B) · CPC title

• B60R13/04 Primary

  External} Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices {thereon (fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12) · CPC title

• F16B13/10

  with separate gripping parts moved into their final position in relation to the body of the device by a separate operation (F16B13/06 takes precedence) · CPC title