Patent US4786094A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4786094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mounting clip including break-away spacer element
Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corp
•
Filing: 1987-10-06
•
Granted: 1988-11-22
•
Expires: 2007-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A clip mounting structure is provided which is attachable to a vehicle body without use of fixtures. This is done by initially providing the mounting structure with spacer tabs. The spacer tabs are positioned with respect to an available reference location, such as another previously mounted molding or panel. The tabs are break-away structures and are removed after the mounting structure is secured in place. The clip mounting structure is then used to secure a molding in place.
Inventors
- 👤 Billy J. Barton
- 👤 Dale R. Daugherty
- 👤 Ronald C. Johnson
- 👤 Scott J. Priest
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/12; F16B5/128; B; B60; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/30; Y10T24/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A clip for mounting a vehicle body exterior molding, or the like, comprising a clip body including means for securement to a molding, fastening means for securing the clip body to a vehicle body, a spacer element integral with the clip body, the spacer element having a locator portion spaced from the clip body a distance equal to the desired distance of the clip body from a pre-existing structure on the vehicle body exterior, the spacer element being joined to the clip body by a frangible joint whereby the spacer element may be easily broken away from the clip body after the clip body has been located on the vehicle body exterior and fastened in place the desired distance from said pre-existing structure on the vehicle body exterior.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A clip for mounting a vehicle body exterior molding, or the like, comprising a clip body including means for securement to a molding, fastening means for securing the clip body to a vehicle body, a spacer element integral with the clip body, the spacer element having a locator portion spaced from the clip body a distance equal to the desired distance of the clip body from a pre-existing structure on the vehicle body exterior, the spacer element being joined to the clip body by a frangible joint whereby the spacer element may be easily broken away from the clip body after the clip body has been located on the vehicle body exterior and fastened in place the desired distance from said pre-existing structure on the vehicle body exterior.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A clip as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the frangible joint comprises a portion of the clip of reduced thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A clip as defined in claim 2 further characterized in that said reduced thickness is formed at the apex of a V-shaped notch structure, said apex defining a break line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A clip as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the spacer element extends outwardly away from the clip body at an angle, the spacer element having an edge which defines the locator portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination comprising a clip as defined in claim 1, an elongated flexible support strip, a plurality of said clips being mounted thereon in spaced apart relationship, said fastening means being provided for each clip and being effective to secure both the clip and flexible support strip to a vehicle body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3580628A
Cited
US3606721A
Cited
US3715572A
Cited
US3734466A
Cited
US3717473A
Cited
US3968559A
Cited
US4023639A
Cited
US3923296A
Cited
US4094418A
Cited
US4011635A
Cited
US4044853A
Cited
US4344498A
Cited
GB2042217A
Cited
US4363839A
Cited
US4322198A
Cited
US4504919A
Cited
US4493450A
Cited
US4408432A
Cited
US4530056A
Cited
US4593238A
Cited
US4593239A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |