US4902068A — Modular headliner assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 98 words

A snap-in modular headliner assembly for use with a motor vehicle which comprises: a headliner substrate formed to fit within the interior of the motor vehicle; a first sunshade assembly; a second sunshade assembly; a first sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate and including means for securing the first sunshade thereto and first snap-in fastener means extending therefrom; a second sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate and including means for securing the second sunshade thereto and second snap-in fastener means extending therefrom; and snap-in fastener receiving means in the motor vehicle for receiving said second snap-in fastener means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 98 words

A snap-in modular headliner assembly for use with a motor vehicle which comprises: a headliner substrate formed to fit within the interior of the motor vehicle; a first sunshade assembly; a second sunshade assembly; a first sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate and including means for securing the first sunshade thereto and first snap-in fastener means extending therefrom; a second sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate and including means for securing the second sunshade thereto and second snap-in fastener means extending therefrom; and snap-in fastener receiving means in the motor vehicle for receiving said second snap-in fastener means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: an accessory mounted to the substrate and including snap-fit accessory mounting means extending therefrom.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the accessory further comprises an assist handle assembly and the snap-fit accessory mounting means includes a pair of extending flexible snap-fit legs.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the accessory includes a pair of accessories, each mounted on separate sides of the substrate.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising at least one console affixed to the substrate.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the console includes a lamp assembly.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an electrically conductive wire assembly mounted to the headliner substrate.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 62 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a first inboard sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate for securing the inboard end of the first sunshade assembly and including snap-fit legs extending therefrom and a second inboard sunshade fastener mounted to the substrate for securing the inboard end of the second sunshade fastener and including snap-fit legs extending therefrom.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said console includes fastening means extending therefrom for engaging compatible fastening means mounted to the motor vehicle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 129 words

A modular headliner assembly which may be mounted within a motor vehicle as a single module which comprises: a substrate formed to fit within the desired space within the motor vehicle, said substrate including a decorative surface facing the interior of the vehicle and a non-show surface; a first sunshade affixed to the substrate and positioned to serve as the front seat driver side sunshade when the headliner assembly is mounted to the vehicle; a second sunshade affixed to the substrate and positioned to serve as the front seat passenger side sunshade when the headliner assembly is mounted to the vehicle; and first means associated with each sunshade for engaging the vehicle for holding the substrate in position; and second means on the vehicle for receiving said first means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 129 words

A modular headliner assembly which may be mounted within a motor vehicle as a single module which comprises: a substrate formed to fit within the desired space within the motor vehicle, said substrate including a decorative surface facing the interior of the vehicle and a non-show surface; a first sunshade affixed to the substrate and positioned to serve as the front seat driver side sunshade when the headliner assembly is mounted to the vehicle; a second sunshade affixed to the substrate and positioned to serve as the front seat passenger side sunshade when the headliner assembly is mounted to the vehicle; and first means associated with each sunshade for engaging the vehicle for holding the substrate in position; and second means on the vehicle for receiving said first means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising a console mounted to the substrate.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the console includes a lamp module having lighting means and switch means for selectively energizing the lighting means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the headliner assembly further comprises a wiring assembly, said wiring assembly being connected to the lighting means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 41 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising at least one assist strap mounted to the substrate and positioned to serve as a grab handle for a vehicle passenger when the headliner assembly is mounted to the vehicle.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising other accessories mounted to the substrate.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 49 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising snap-fit means mounted to the substrate, said snap-fit means including projecting snap-in fasteners which serve to secure the headliner assembly to the motor vehicle, and snap-in fastener means in the motor vehicle for receiving second snap-in fastener means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 16 and further comprising a first sunshade fastener affixed to the substrate including means for mounting the first sunshade to the first sunshade fastener and including a first projecting snap-in fastener extending from the non-show surface of the substrate.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 and further comprising a second sunshade fastener affixed to the substrate including means for mounting the second sunshade to the second sunshade fastener and including a second projecting snap-in fastener extending from the non-show surface of the substrate.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 16 and further comprising accessories mounted to the substrate, said accessories including projecting snap-in fasteners extending from the non-show surface of the substrate.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the accessories comprise assist handles or coat hooks.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 133 words

A modular headliner assembly which may be installed as a single unit within a motor vehicle wherein the motor vehicle includes a body structure having at least one member which defines fastener receiving openings which comprises: a substrate formed to fit within the desired space within the motor vehicle adjacent the body structure wherein the fastener receiving openings are located, said substrate having a decorative surface exposed to the occupants of the motor vehicle after the headliner assembly is assembled to the motor vehicle and a non-show surface facing the body structure wherein the fastener receiving openings are located; and snap-fit fastener means mounted to the substrate and including snap-fit fastener projecting portions sized and positioned to mate with the fastener receiving openings upon assembly of the headliner assembly to the motor vehicle.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 133 words

A modular headliner assembly which may be installed as a single unit within a motor vehicle wherein the motor vehicle includes a body structure having at least one member which defines fastener receiving openings which comprises: a substrate formed to fit within the desired space within the motor vehicle adjacent the body structure wherein the fastener receiving openings are located, said substrate having a decorative surface exposed to the occupants of the motor vehicle after the headliner assembly is assembled to the motor vehicle and a non-show surface facing the body structure wherein the fastener receiving openings are located; and snap-fit fastener means mounted to the substrate and including snap-fit fastener projecting portions sized and positioned to mate with the fastener receiving openings upon assembly of the headliner assembly to the motor vehicle.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 21 and further comprising at least a pair of sunshades and wherein the snap-fit fastener means further comprises means to mount the sunshades to the substrate.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein the snap-fit fastener means comprises an assist handle mounted to the substrate, said assist handle including snap-fit fastener projecting portions for mating with appropriate fastener receiving openings upon assembly of the headliner assembly to the motor vehicle.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 125 words

A method of mounting a modular headliner assembly including a substrate having snap-fit fastener means mounted thereto which includes snap-fit fastener projecting portions, a partially assembled motor vehicle including a body structure having at least one member which defines fastener receiving openings said motor vehicle also having large window openings, which comprises the steps of: aligning the modular headliner assembly with a large window opening of the motor vehicle; inserting the modular headliner assembly through the large window opening; aligning the snap-fit projecting portions of the modular headliner assembly with the fastener receiving openings of the body structure; and displacing the projecting portions of the headliner assembly into the receiving openings of the body structure to secure the modular headliner assembly to the body structure.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 125 words

A method of mounting a modular headliner assembly including a substrate having snap-fit fastener means mounted thereto which includes snap-fit fastener projecting portions, a partially assembled motor vehicle including a body structure having at least one member which defines fastener receiving openings said motor vehicle also having large window openings, which comprises the steps of: aligning the modular headliner assembly with a large window opening of the motor vehicle; inserting the modular headliner assembly through the large window opening; aligning the snap-fit projecting portions of the modular headliner assembly with the fastener receiving openings of the body structure; and displacing the projecting portions of the headliner assembly into the receiving openings of the body structure to secure the modular headliner assembly to the body structure.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 63 words

The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein the modular headliner assembly further includes a wire assembly having a connector mounted thereto and wherein the motor vehicle also includes a wire assembly having a mating connector and wherein the method further comprises the step of assembling the connector of headliner wire assembly to the mating connector of the motor vehicle wire assembly.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method as set forth in claim 24 and further comprising the step of sensing that the projecting portions of the headliner assembly have been fully displaced into the openings of the body structure.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method as set forth in claim 24 and further comprising the step of driving a mandrel means adjacent at least one of the projecting portions to lock said projecting portion in engagement with the body structure adjacent the fastener receiving opening.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 131 words

A method of mounting a modular headliner assembly including a first sunshade fastener having a snap-fit portion, a second sunshade fastener having a snap-fit portion and an accessory having a snap-fit portion to a partially assembled motor vehicle including a body structure defining fastener receiving openings and a large window opening which comprises the steps of: inserting the modular headliner assembly through the large window opening and aligning the various snap-fit portions with the appropriate fastener receiving openings; snapping the snap-fit fastener of the first sunshade fastener into the assembled position; snapping the snap-fit fastener of the second sunshade fastener into the assembled portion; and snapping the snap-fit portion of the accessory into the assembled position whereby the headliner assembly is retained at its desired position relative to the body structure.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 131 words

A method of mounting a modular headliner assembly including a first sunshade fastener having a snap-fit portion, a second sunshade fastener having a snap-fit portion and an accessory having a snap-fit portion to a partially assembled motor vehicle including a body structure defining fastener receiving openings and a large window opening which comprises the steps of: inserting the modular headliner assembly through the large window opening and aligning the various snap-fit portions with the appropriate fastener receiving openings; snapping the snap-fit fastener of the first sunshade fastener into the assembled position; snapping the snap-fit fastener of the second sunshade fastener into the assembled portion; and snapping the snap-fit portion of the accessory into the assembled position whereby the headliner assembly is retained at its desired position relative to the body structure.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 58 words

The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the accessory includes a first accessory and a second accessory, one located on either side of the assembly and wherein the step of snapping the snap-fit portion of the accessory includes snapping the snap-fit portion of the first accessory and then snapping the snap-fit portion of the second accessory.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the accessory includes a snap-fit portion having a pair of spaced legs which may be inserted through the fastener receiving opening and a mandrel and further comprising the step of: driving the mandrel between the pair of spaced legs to lock the legs to the body structure adjacent the fastener receiving opening.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 66 words

The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein the modular headliner assembly further includes a first inboard sunshade fastener and a second inboard sunshade fastener each having a snap-fit portion, and further comprising the steps of: snapping the snap-fit portion of the first inboard sunshade fastener into the assembled position; and snapping the snap-fit portion of the second inboard sunshade fastener into the assembled position.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as set forth in claim 28 and further comprising the step of sensing that the snap-fit portions are fully secured within the fastener receiving openings.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method as set forth in claim 28 wherein in each instance the step of snapping further comprises applying a force to the appropriate portion of the headliner assembly to displace the assembly to achieve the desired reaction.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the step of applying a force further comprises striking the headliner assembly with the hand of an assembler.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-02-19	1993-08-21	1994-02-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-02-19	1997-08-21	1998-02-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-02-19	2001-08-21	2002-02-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Modular headliner assembly

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