Molding/locating and attaching clip device

Claim 1

A molding/locator and attaching clip device, for securing an open channel molding with notched sheet metal return bent flanges therein to a support panel having headed studs fixed thereto, includes a molding retainer clip and a molding locator clip, said molding retainer clip including a body portion having at least one keyhole slot therein whereby said molding retainer clip can be secured to an associate said headed stud on said support panel, with opposite sides of said body portion defining retaining means for opposite ends of said open channel molding, a plurality of resilient pawl arms extending outward from one end of said body portion of said molding retainer clip; said molding locator clip including a locator body portion having opposed first and second edges, spaced apart retaining tabs extending outward from said first edge of said locator body portion adjacent to the opposite sides thereof, at least one spring finger tab extending outward from said first edge intermediate said retaining tabs and, anti-rattle ribs extending upward from one surface of said locator body portion so as to cooperate with said retaining tabs and said spring finger tab whereby said molding locator clip can be secured into a said notched return bent flanges of said molding, said locator body portion on the surface thereof opposite from said anti-rattle ribs having at least one cavity therein extending inward from said second edge and defined in part by a plurality of rows of spaced apart ratchet teeth, the arrangement being such that when said open channel molding with said molding locator clip fixed thereto is secured to said molding retainer clip, said resilient pawl arms are adapted to operatively engage said ratchet teeth to permit movement of said molding locator clip and said open channel molding in only one direction while preventing movement thereof in an opposite direction.