Push through retainer connection with integrated hinging seal

Abstract

A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.

Claims

1. A press-in retainer, comprising: a retainer head including a collar and a seal disposed at least partially about the collar; and a clip portion projecting from the collar, wherein the seal includes a main body engaging the collar and a sealing foot projecting at an obtuse angle from a distal surface of the main body to a free edge when in an unstressed condition such that the sealing foot is disposed entirely outboard from the collar, wherein the sealing foot is contiguous with the main body, the obtuse angle facing the clip portion, wherein the sealing foot is configured to flex from the unstressed condition toward a substantially flattened condition about a living hinge located at an intersection of the sealing foot and body portion while remaining entirely outboard from the main body, and wherein, in the substantially flattened condition, the obtuse angle between the sealing foot and the distal surface of the main body approaches a flat contiguous surface.

2. The press-in retainer of claim 1, wherein the press-in retainer is configured to join a surface element to a support structure, and wherein the clip portion is configured for insertion into an acceptance opening of the support structure.

3. The press-in retainer of claim 2, wherein the retainer head and the clip portion are molded as a unitary structure.

4. The press-in retainer of claim 2, wherein the clip portion comprises a stem extending from the collar.

5. The press-in retainer of claim 4, wherein the clip portion comprises at least one flexible wing that extends in an angled relation away from an end of the stem, wherein the flexible wing comprises a dogleg configuration with a proximal face surface and a distal face surface, wherein the proximal face surface extends from the end of the stem radially outwardly, toward the collar, and to the distal face surface, and wherein the distal face surface extends from the proximal face surface radially inwardly, toward the collar, and to a free tip of the flexible wing.

6. The press-in retainer of claim 5, wherein the flexible wing is configured to flex toward the stem during insertion through the acceptance opening of the support structure, and wherein the distal face surface is configured to press against an interior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer downwardly into the acceptance opening.

7. The press-in retainer of claim 6, wherein the seal is configured to flex from the unstressed condition toward the substantially flattened condition to bring the surface element toward the support structure in response to the distal face surface pressing against the interior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer downwardly into the acceptance opening.

8. The press-in retainer of claim 2, wherein the collar includes an interior collar portion and a reduced thickness outer annular lip disposed circumferentially about the interior collar portion, and wherein the outer annular lip extends outwardly from a perimeter of the interior collar portion.

9. The press-in retainer of claim 8, wherein the main body of the seal is annular and further includes a circumferential acceptance slot that extends circumferentially along an inner diameter of the main body, and wherein the circumferential slot is configured to receive the outer annular lip of the collar.

10. The press-in retainer of claim 2, wherein the free edge of the sealing foot is configured to maintain sliding contact with the support structure as the seal flexes from the unstressed condition toward the substantially flattened condition.

11. A retainer assembly configured to join a surface element to a support structure so that the surface element assumes a contacting abutting relation with the support structure, the support structure having an acceptance opening, the retainer assembly comprising: a retainer head including a collar, a platform, and a neck disposed between the collar and the platform, the retainer head being configured for placement into a channel defined by the surface element; a seal disposed about a perimeter of the collar and comprising an annular main body and a sealing foot, the sealing foot being connected to the main body by a living hinge extending along a perimeter of the main body and being disposed entirely outboard from the collar, and the sealing foot extending from the living hinge to a free edge, wherein an inner diameter of the main body at least partially contacts an outer diameter of the collar, wherein a contacting surface of the sealing foot is contiguous with a distal surface of the main body, the contacting surface and the distal surface both facing away from the retainer head, and wherein the contacting surface forms an obtuse angle with the distal surface when the seal is in an unstressed condition; and a clip portion extending from the collar of the retainer head, the clip portion being configured for insertion into the acceptance opening of the support structure, and the clip portion comprising at least one surface that is configured to press against an interior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer assembly further into the acceptance opening, wherein the seal is configured to flex from the unstressed condition toward a fully flexed condition to bring the surface element closer to the support structure, and wherein, in the fully flexed condition, the free edge of the sealing foot is disposed radially outwardly and closer to the retainer head such that the contacting surface of the sealing foot and the distal surface of the main body form an angle greater than the obtuse angle of the unstressed condition.

12. The retainer assembly of claim 11, wherein the retainer head and the clip portion are molded as a unitary structure.

13. The retainer assembly of claim 11, wherein the clip portion comprises a stem extending from the collar.

14. The retainer assembly of claim 13, wherein the clip portion comprises at least one flexible wing that extends in an angled relation away from an end of the stem, wherein the flexible wing comprises a dogleg configuration with a proximal face surface and a distal face surface, wherein the proximal face surface extends from the end of the stem radially outwardly, toward the collar, and to the distal face surface, and wherein the distal face surface extends from the proximal face surface radially inwardly, toward the collar, and to a free tip of the flexible wing.

15. The retainer assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one flexible wing is configured to flex toward the stem during insertion through the acceptance opening of the support structure, and wherein the distal face surface is configured to press against the interior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer assembly downwardly into the acceptance opening.

16. The retainer assembly of claim 13, wherein the clip portion comprises a pair of flexible wings that extend in angled relation away from an end of the stem in opposing directions, wherein each of the pair of flexible wings comprises a dogleg configuration with a proximal face surface and a distal face surface, wherein the proximal face surface extends from the end of the stem radially outwardly, toward the collar, and to the distal face surface, and wherein the distal face surface extends from the proximal face surface radially inwardly, toward the collar, and to a free tip of the flexible wing, and wherein the distal face surface is configured to press against the interior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer assembly downwardly into the acceptance opening.

17. A retainer assembly configured to join a surface element to a support structure, the support structure having an acceptance opening, the retainer assembly comprising: a retainer head including a collar, a platform, and a neck disposed between the collar and the platform, the retainer head being configured for placement into a channel defined by the surface element; a seal disposed about a perimeter of the collar and comprising an annular main body and a sealing foot, the sealing foot being connected to the main body by a living hinge extending along a perimeter of the main body and being disposed entirely outboard from the collar, and the sealing foot extending from the living hinge to a free edge that is disposed radially outwardly from the living hinge, wherein an inner diameter of the main body at least partially contacts an outer diameter of the collar, wherein a contacting surface of the sealing foot is contiguous with a distal surface of the main body, the contacting surface and the distal surface both facing away from the retainer head, and wherein the contacting surface forms an obtuse angle with the distal surface when the seal is in an unstressed condition; and a clip portion extending from the collar of the retainer head, wherein the collar includes an interior collar portion and a reduced thickness outer annular lip disposed circumferentially about the interior collar portion such that a step is disposed at an intersection of the interior collar portion and the outer annular lip, the outer annular lip extending radially outwardly from a perimeter of the interior collar portion, and wherein the main body of the seal further includes a circumferential acceptance slot that extends circumferentially along the inner diameter of the main body and is configured to receive the annular lip of the collar.

18. The retainer assembly of claim 17, wherein the clip portion is configured for insertion into the acceptance opening of the support structure and comprises at least one angled surface that is configured to press against an interior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer further into the acceptance opening.

19. The retainer assembly of claim 18, wherein the seal is configured to flex from the unstressed condition toward a fully flexed condition to bring the surface element closer to the support structure in response to the at least one angled surface pressing against the interior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer assembly downwardly into the acceptance opening, wherein, in the fully flexed condition, the free edge of the sealing foot is disposed farther radially outwardly and closer to the retainer head than in the unstressed condition, and wherein, in the fully flexed condition, the contacting surface of the sealing foot and the distal surface of the main body form an angle greater than the obtuse angle of the unstressed condition.

20. The retainer assembly of claim 19, wherein the free edge of the sealing foot is configured to maintain sliding contact with the support structure as the seal flexes from the unstressed condition toward the fully flexed condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary sealing retainer in accordance with the present disclosure with the seal separated from the retainer body;

(2) FIG. 2 is an elevation perspective view illustrating an exemplary sealing retainer in accordance with the present disclosure engaging trim molding prior to insertion through a sheet metal support structure;

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary sealing retainer in accordance with the present disclosure inserted through an underlying support structure having wing elements that engage the underlying support structure;

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary sealing retainer in accordance with the present disclosure engaging trim molding prior to insertion through a sheet metal support structure and with the seal in an unstressed condition; and

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary sealing retainer in accordance with the present disclosure engaging trim molding after full insertion through a sheet metal support structure with a retained “zero gap” condition between the trim molding and the support structure and illustrating the compression action of the seal in an extreme insertion condition.

(6) Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, it may be seen that the present disclosure provides a retainer 10 adapted to secure a surface element 12, such as, e.g., a molding, to a sheet metal support structure 14, such as, e.g., a panel or other underlying support element of metal or the like. As shown, in the illustrated exemplary construction, the retainer 10 includes a retainer head 16 and a snap engaging clip portion 18. As will be appreciated, the retainer head 16 and the clip portion 18 may be formed as a monolithic unitary body by injection molding or other suitable molding or fabrication process. The material for retainer 10 can be selected as optimally desirable for its particular installation and use. Accordingly, the retainer 10 may be formed of suitable plastic, such as Nylon, polypropylene, acetal resin and the like as will be well known to those of skill in the art. Acetal resin and Nylon 6.6 may be preferred in some environments of use. Of course, other polymeric and non-polymeric materials including metal and the like and combinations of various polymeric materials also may be used if desired. Likewise, it should be understood that the particular configurations for the retainer head 16 and for the clip portion 18 may be varied in a manner as may be desired for a particular installation.

(8) By way of example only, and not limitation, in the illustrated exemplary construction for the retainer 10, the retainer head 16 is adapted for sliding receipt and retention within an intermediate connector 20 (FIG. 2) such as a dog house connector or the like disposed in hidden relation at the underside of the surface element 12. In this regard, the intermediate connector 20 may be formed integral with the surface element 12 as shown or may be a separate attached structure as may be desired.

(9) As shown, in the illustrated exemplary construction, the retainer head 16 includes a table-like upper platform 22 disposed in opposing relation to a lower collar 24 of substantially rigid, annular construction. In this regard, while the upper platform 22 is illustrated as having a generally rectangular configuration, it is likewise contemplated that other polygonal or circular geometries may be used if desired. As shown, the lower collar 24 may be in substantially perpendicular non-angled orientation to the travel path of the retainer and may include an interior collar portion 26 and a reduced thickness outer annular lip 28 disposed circumferentially about the interior collar portion such that a step 30 is disposed at the intersection of the interior collar portion 26 and the outer annular lip 28. A neck structure 32 in the form of a reduced diameter post extends between the upper platform 22 and the lower collar 24. As will be understood, the effective outer diameters defined by the upper platform 22 and by the lower collar 24 are preferably greater than the effective outer diameter defined by the neck structure 32.

(10) In operation, the retainer 10 may be operatively secured to the intermediate connector 20 by sliding the neck structure 32 into a slot in the intermediate connector 20 in a manner as will be well known to those of skill in the art. The intermediate connector may, in turn, be attached to the overlying surface element 12 or other surface element. Likewise, the retainer head 16 may be connected directly to an overlying component by techniques such as tape, adhesive bonding, mechanical joining or the like if desired.

(11) As indicated previously, the retainer 10 further includes a clip portion designated generally as 18 extending away from the underside of the lower collar 24. In the illustrated exemplary construction, the clip portion 18 includes a stem 34 projecting away from the lower collar 24 such that the lower collar is oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis defined by the stem. As illustrated, wing elements 36 extend upwardly in angled relation away from the end of the stem 34. The wing elements 36 are adapted to flex inwardly towards the stem 34 during insertion through an acceptance opening 38 in the support structure 14. As best seen through joint reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the illustrated exemplary construction each of the wing elements 36 incorporates an outer face having a dogleg configuration facing generally outwardly away from the stem 34. In this regard, in the illustrated construction, the outer face of each wing element 36 includes a proximal face surface 42 extending in angled relation away from the axis defined by the stem 34. A distal face surface 44 extends away from the proximal face surface in angled relation back towards the axis defined by the stem 34 ultimately terminating at the free tip of the wing element thereby establishing the outer surface dogleg profile. As shown, the free tips of the wing elements are at an elevation below the lower collar 24.

(12) As best seen through joint reference to FIGS. 1-3, a monolithic perimeter seal 50 of flexible polymeric material is disposed about the perimeter of the lower collar 24 generally at the intersection between the retainer head 16 and the clip portion 18. As best seen in FIG. 3, the inner diameter of the perimeter seal 50 may substantially cover the outer annular lip 28 of the lower collar 24 and may abut the step 30. The perimeter seal 50 may be formed from commercially available moldable materials such as thermoplastic elastomers including, by way of example only, polyolefins, PVC, silicone rubber, PTFE, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and blends thereof. Such materials will preferably be of lower durometer (i.e. are less rigid) than the material forming the retainer head and may be characterized by a useful operating temperature range of about −75° C. to about 175° C. In accordance with one exemplary construction, the perimeter seal 50 may be formed by over-molding or two-shot molding processes such that during molding the flexible material forming the perimeter seal 50 is integrally fused with the more rigid acetal resin or other material forming the lower collar 24. It is also contemplated that the perimeter seal 50 may be formed separately with a circumferential acceptance slot around the interior for receipt and retention of the annular lip 28 in a stretch-fit relation if desired. In any event, the seal 50 defines a relatively soft, deformable covering at the perimeter edge of the lower collar 24 adapted to provide a seal around the acceptance opening 38 in the support structure 14 during use without the need for any sealing structures oriented below the lower collar.

(13) As best seen in FIG. 3, the perimeter seal 50 may be substantially annular and may include a main body portion 52 adapted to cover the outer annular lip 28 of the lower collar 24. A hingeable outwardly flared sealing foot 54 extends in angled relation downwardly and radially away from the main body portion 52. As shown, the sealing foot 54 is elongated and relatively thin in cross-section. In an unstressed condition (FIG. 4), the sealing foot 54 extends radially outboard from the main body portion 52 to a free edge such that the sealing foot is disposed entirely outboard from lower collar 24 and the underside of the sealing foot forms an obtuse angle relative to the underside of the lower collar 24. As shown, no portion of the angled sealing foot 54 is in the zone below the lower collar 24.

(14) When the sealing foot 54 is pressed against the support structure 14 during normal use, the sealing foot 54 readily flexes upwardly towards a flattened condition about a living hinge 56 substantially at the intersection with the body portion 52. This hinging takes place without confinement of the sealing foot between the support structure 14 and the lower collar 24 while continuously maintaining contacting engagement with the underlying support structure 14. Thus, the sealing foot 54 may flex from its unstressed condition (FIG. 4) to its fully flexed position (FIG. 5) without experiencing a stack-up condition of seal material between the support structure 14 and the lower collar 24. As the sealing foot 54 flexes during compression, the edge of the sealing foot 54 moves radially outwardly as the sealing foot 54 takes on a more flattened condition. As this flattening takes place, the sealing foot 54 moves out of the way of the travel path for the lower collar 24. This avoids any confinement and stack-up of seal material between the support structure 14 and the lower collar 24 while nonetheless maintaining a sealing condition relative to the support structure 14. Accordingly, the retainer head 16 and the attached surface element 12 may be pulled downwardly to a position wherein the surface element 12 and the underlying support structure 14 form a substantially flush “zero gap” condition while maintaining a seal around the acceptance opening 38. In this regard, it will be understood that such a zero gap condition occurs when a contact surface 60 on the surface element 12 assumes a contacting abutting relation with the underlying support structure 14. As will be appreciated, the elevation and contour of the contact surface 60 may be selected to provide this zero gap condition when the sealing foot 54 is in a flexed condition relative to the support structure 14 and with the lower collar 24 elevated relative to the support structure 14.

(15) Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that in normal operation (FIG. 3), a portion of the sloped distal face surface 44 may be in contacting relationship with the inner perimeter surface of the acceptance opening 38. In the normal operating condition shown in FIG. 3, the retainer 10 is urged downwardly continuously as the flexed wing elements press outwardly against the perimeter surface of the acceptance opening 38. However, downward movement will be limited once the surface element 12 comes into contact with the underlying support structure 14 to establish a zero gap condition. Thus, in the condition shown by FIG. 3, a condition of static equilibrium is established when the surface element 12 comes into contact with the underlying support structure 14. Since the retainer 10 is urged continuously downwardly due to the sloped distal face surface 44, the retainer will naturally assume and retain the level at which the surface element 12 contacts the underlying support structure 14 and thereby blocks further downward movement. As shown, in this equilibrium condition, the lower collar 24 remains slightly elevated relative to the support structure 14 and the sealing foot 54 of the perimeter seal 50 is hinged outwardly while maintaining a sealing relationship against the support structure 14. As can be seen, the sealing foot 54 is adapted to flex outwardly in a hinging action as the retainer moves downwardly without blocking further downward movement by the retainer 10.

(16) As will be appreciated, the equilibrium position of the retainer 10 within the acceptance opening 38 is continuously self-adjusting as the relative positions of the surface element 12 and the support structure 14 change during use as a result of vibration or other events. In this regard, the living hinge 56 urges the sealing foot 54 continuously against the underlying support structure 14 as the sealing foot 54 attempts to resume its normal unflexed condition (FIG. 4). Thus, the sealing relationship provided by the sealing foot 54 is maintained by sliding contact as the retainer 10 moves up and down and the sealing foot 54 moves radially in and out during equilibrium adjustment. That is, although the angle between the support structure 14 and the sealing foot 54 may change as the retainer 10 moves up and down, the sealing relation is maintained as the sealing foot 54 moves in sliding relation over the support structure 14. Moreover, since the sealing foot 54 is not confined between the lower collar 24 and the support structure 14, downward movement of the surface element 12 is unobstructed by the sealing element.

(17) As best seen in FIG. 5, in the event of extreme insertion such that the tips of the wing elements wing elements 36 are within the acceptance opening, in the support structure 14, the sealing foot 54 may assume a substantially flattened condition against the underlying support structure 14 as the surface element 12 establishes a “zero gap” condition with the support structure 14. Even in this extreme insertion condition, the sealing foot is not confined between the lower collar 24 and the support structure 14. Accordingly, no stack-up condition and resultant shim action is created. Thus, the surface element 12 may continue to be pulled down to the desired “zero gap” condition over the full range of operative engagement positions between the wing elements 36 and the support structure 14 with the sloped distal face surface 44 bearing against the support structure 14.

(18) The ability to avoid a stack-up condition is promoted by maintaining the free space between the lower collar 24 and the underlying support structure 14 during downward movement such that portions of the seal material do not collect in the free space in a manner which would limit downward movement. This free space below the lower collar is maintained even in the extreme insertion condition shown in FIG. 5. As shown, all portions of the sealing foot 54 are positioned radially outboard from the lower collar 24 and the free edge of the sealing foot 54 is adapted to slide radially outwardly away from the lower collar 24 and the main body portion 52 as the retainer head 16 moves downwardly and the sealing foot 54 hinges outwardly. Thus, the sealing foot 54 flattens by hinging outwardly about the living hinge 56 as it is pressed against an underlying support structure 14. Accordingly, the sealing foot 54 does not interfere with downward movement of the retainer head 16 and the surface element 12 may be maintained in a “zero gap” condition with the underlying support structure 14.

(19) While various spatial and directional terms, such as upper, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

(20) Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.