Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of devices for securing vehicle components or parts for inspection. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a simple, efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use inspection assembly for securing vehicle plastic parts or components with a clip and without a clip in a desired environment and orientation.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In the automotive industry, plastic interior and exterior parts play a critical role in the overall design, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of the vehicles. These parts are often manufactured using diverse methods such as punching, hot-pressing, and injection molding. Following the production phase, it is customary to subject these components to a comprehensive inspection to ensure compliance with stringent quality standards.
[0004] Conventionally, clamping devices have been employed to secure vehicle plastic parts or components for inspection. These devices typically serve the purpose of immobilizing the components, allowing for examination of their form and position deviations. However, the existing solutions fail to secure plastic parts with a clip and as well without a clip using a single device. Moreover, the existing devices are complex, expensive, and difficult to manufacture, assemble, and operate, which also have limited flexibility in orienting the secured plastic parts in different orientations for inspection.
[0005] There is therefore a need to overcome the above drawbacks, limitations, and shortcomings associated with existing solutions and provide a simple, efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use solution for securing plastic parts and vehicle components with and without a clip in a desired orientation for inspection.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] A general object of the present disclosure is to overcome the above drawbacks, limitations, and shortcomings associated with existing solutions and provide a simple, efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use inspection assembly for securing vehicle plastic parts or components with and without a fastening clip in a desired orientation and environment.

SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure relates to the field of devices for securing components and parts for inspection. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a simple, efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use inspection assembly for securing vehicle plastic parts or components with and without a clip in a desired orientation and environment.
[0008] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an inspection assembly for securing a vehicle component with a clip or without a clip. The inspection assembly comprises a clamping device that comprises a fixed member and a clamping member. The clamping member is arranged with the fixed member such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity. The clamping member is configured to receive a first end of a pin within the inner cavity via a hole of the clamping member and enable fastening of the pin therewithin the inner cavity and/or to the fixed member. A second end opposite to the first end of the pin is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the vehicle component thereon.
[0009] In an aspect, the hole of the clamping member may be configured to receive and secure the clip associated with the vehicle component or to accommodate a portion of the pin. This portion of the pin may be accommodated when the vehicle component without a clip is required to be inspected and when the vehicle component with the clip needs to be inspected, the clip with the vehicle component is received and secured in the hole.
[0010] In an aspect, the clamping member may comprise a first clamping jaw and a second clamping jaw movable from a closed position to an open position and may include a substantially semicircular cut. The substantially semicircular cut of the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw may form the hole of a substantially circular shape in its close position that may be adapted to receive and secure the clip or to accommodate the first end of the pin.
[0011] In an aspect, the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw of the clamping member may be pivotally or slidably coupled to the fixed member. More particularly, the jaws are movable away from each other to configure an open position and towards (close position) each other to configure an open position and forming the hole.
[0012] In an aspect, a top end of the fixed member may comprise a slot having inner threads. Further, the first end of the pin may comprise external threads that are configured to engage with the inner threads of the slot of the fixed member to enable fastening of the pin to the fixed member, upon rotation of the pin in a predefined direction.
[0013] In an aspect, the inspection assembly may comprise a nut having inner threads, configured to be disposed within the inner cavity of the clamping member. The first end of the pin may comprise external threads configured to be inserted within the hole and further through the inner threads of the nut to fasten the pin to the clamping member, upon rotation of the inserted pin in a predefined direction.
[0014] In an aspect, a head of the pin at the second end may comprise a groove to facilitate fastening of the pin to the assembly upon rotation of the groove in a predefined direction and facilitate unfastening or loosening of the pin from assembly upon rotation of the groove in a direction opposite to the predefined direction.
[0015] In an aspect, the clip associated with the vehicle component includes a lip that sits on a rim of the hole of the clamping member such that a predefined gap is maintained in-between the secured vehicle component and the clamping member. The second end of the pin may comprise a flange of a predefined thickness that sits on the rim of the hole and facilitates maintaining the predefined gap between the secured component and the clamping member. In an aspect, the thickness of the flange of the lip may be greater than that of the lip portion of the clip.
[0016] In an aspect, the first end of the pin may comprise a bore-hole extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pin. The inspection assembly may comprise a locking member configured to extend through the bore-hole of the fastened pin to restrict undesirable movement of the pin in the inspection condition of the vehicle component without a clip.
[0017] In an aspect, the component may be a plastic trim part associated with a vehicle interior or exterior such as a dashboard or door panel.
[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for securing a vehicle component with a clip or without a clip for inspection. The method comprises the steps of arranging a clamping member with a fixed member such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity, inserting a first end of a pin within the inner cavity via a hole of the clamping member and enabling fastening of the pin within the inner cavity and/or to the fixed member, and accommodating at least a portion of the vehicle component on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin.
[0019] In an aspect, the method may comprise the steps of accommodating and securing a portion of the pin within the hole of the clamping member when the vehicle component without a clip is required to be inspected and accommodating and securing the clip associated with the vehicle component within the hole of the clamping member when the vehicle component with the clip is required to be inspected.
[0020] In an aspect, the method may comprise the steps of moving a first clamping jaw and a second clamping jaw away from each other, each having a substantially semicircular cut, to an open position to remove the pin or the clip as desirable. The method may further comprise the steps of inserting and securing a portion of the pin within the hole formed when both the jaws are in a closed position and when the vehicle component without a clip is required to be inspected and inserting and securing the clip in the formed hole when the vehicle component without the clip is required to be inspected.
[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for securing a vehicle component with a clip or without a clip for inspection. The method comprises the steps of arranging a clamping member with a fixed member, such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity. The clamping member including a first clamping jaw and second clamping jaw movable toward each other and away from each other for configuring a closed position and an open position respectively. The first clamping jaw and second clamping jaw are moved away from each other in the open position, a nut with inner threads is disposed within the inner cavity, and the first clamping jaw and second clamping jaw are moved towards each other in the closed position. The method further comprises the steps of inserting a first end of a pin within the inner cavity via a hole of the clamping member and enabling screwing of the pin with the nut and thereby fastening the pin within the inner cavity, and accommodating at least a portion of the vehicle component on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0023] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates exemplary views of an embodiment of the proposed inspection assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1A,
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the proposed assembly of FIG. 1A where the plastic part with a clip to be inspected is secured to the clamping member in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate exemplary and cross-sectional views of the proposed assembly of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B where a portion of the pin is secured to the fixed member as fastened to a threaded slot provided on the fixed member in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the proposed assembly where the plastic part without the clip is secured on the pin more particularly on a flange of the pin by a clamp, demonstrating the same testing orientation and environment as that of the vehicular plastic part/component with a clip in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary and cross-sectional views of second embodiment of the proposed assembly where the pin is secured or fastened to a threaded nut disposed in the inner cavity formed in between the clamping and fixed member in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIGs. 5A to 5D illustrate iso-metrical cross-sectional views depicting steps involved in fastening the pin to the assembly of FIG. 4A in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIGs. 6A and 6B illustrate exemplary views of the alternative proposed assembly of FIG. 4A where the clamping member includes movable sections or jaws and an inner cavity is open making a window in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 7A illustrates a method for securing a vehicle component without a clip for inspection in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 7B illustrates a method for securing a vehicle component without a clip for inspection in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0035] The present disclosure relates to a simple, efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use inspection assembly for securing vehicular plastic parts or components with a clip and without a clip in a desired orientation and testing environment.
[0036] According to an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon an inspection assembly for securing a vehicle component with a clip or without a clip. The inspection assembly includes a clamping device that includes a fixed member and a clamping member arranged with the fixed member such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity. The clamping member is configured to receive a first end of a pin within the inner cavity via a hole of the clamping member and enable fastening of the pin therewithin the inner cavity and/or to the fixed member. A second end opposite to the first end of the pin is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the vehicle component thereon.
[0037] In an embodiment, the hole of the clamping member can be configured to receive and secure the clip associated with the vehicle component or to accommodate a portion of the pin. This portion of the pin can be accommodated when the vehicle component without a clip is required to be inspected. Further, when the vehicle component with the clip is required to be inspected, the clip is with the vehicle component is received and secured in the hole.
[0038] In an embodiment, the clamping member can include a first clamping jaw and a second clamping jaw movable from a closed position to an open position and can include a substantially semicircular cut. The substantially semicircular cut of the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw can form the hole of a substantially circular shape in its close position that can be adapted to receive and secure the clip or to accommodate the first end of the pin.
[0039] In an embodiment, the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw of the clamping member can be pivotally or slidably coupled to the fixed member.
[0040] In an embodiment, a top end of the fixed member can include a slot having inner threads. Further, the first end of the pin can include external threads that are configured to engage with the inner threads of the slot of the fixed member to enable fastening of the pin to the fixed member, upon rotation of the pin in a predefined direction.
[0041] In an embodiment, the inspection assembly can include a nut having inner threads, configured to be disposed within the inner cavity of the clamping member. The first end of the pin can include external threads configured to be inserted within the hole and further through the inner threads of the nut to fasten the pin to the clamping member, upon rotation of the inserted pin in a predefined direction.
[0042] In an embodiment, a head of the pin at the second end can include a groove to facilitate fastening of the pin to the assembly upon rotation of the groove in a predefined direction and facilitate unfastening or loosening of the pin from assembly upon rotation of the groove in a direction opposite to the predefined direction.
[0043] In an embodiment, the clip associated with the vehicle component includes a lip that sits on a rim of the hole of the clamping member such that a predefined gap is maintained in-between the secured vehicle component and the clamping member. Further, the second end of the pin can include a flange of a predefined thickness that sits on a rim of the hole and facilitates maintaining a predefined gap between the secured component and the clamping member.
[0044] In an embodiment, the first end of the pin can include a bore-hole extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pin. The inspection assembly can include a locking member configured to extend through the bore-hole of the fastened pin to restrict undesirable movement of the pin in the inspection condition of the vehicle component without clip.
[0045] In an embodiment, the component can be a plastic trim part associated with a vehicle interior or exterior such as a dashboard or door panel.
[0046] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure elaborates upon a method for securing a vehicle component with a clip or without a clip for inspection. The method includes the steps of arranging a clamping member with a fixed member such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity, inserting a first end of a pin within the inner cavity via a hole of the clamping member and enabling fastening of the pin within the inner cavity and/or to the fixed member, and accommodating at least a portion of the vehicle component on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin.
[0047] In an embodiment, the method can include the steps of accommodating and securing a portion of the pin within the hole of the clamping member when the vehicle component without a clip is required to be inspected and accommodating and securing the clip associated with the vehicle component within the hole of the clamping member when the vehicle component with the clip is required to be inspected.
[0048] In an embodiment, the method can further include the steps of moving a first clamping jaw and a second clamping jaw, each having a substantially semicircular cut, to an open position to remove the pin or the clip as desirable. The method can further include the steps of inserting and securing a portion of the pin within the hole formed when the clamping jaws are in a closed position and when the vehicle component without a clip is required to be inspected. Further, the method can include the step of inserting and securing the clip in the hole formed when the clamping jaws are in the closed position, when the vehicle component with the clip is required to be inspected.
[0049] According to another embodiment, a method for securing a vehicle component with a clip or without a clip for inspection is disclosed. The method can include the steps of arranging a clamping member with a fixed member, such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity. The clamping member including a first clamping jaw and second clamping jaw movable toward each other and away from each other for configuring a closed position and an open position respectively. The first clamping jaw and second clamping jaw are moved away from each other in the open position, a nut with inner threads is disposed within the inner cavity, and the first clamping jaw and second clamping jaw are moved towards each other in the closed position. Method can further include the steps of inserting a first end of a pin within the inner cavity via a hole of the clamping member and enabling screwing of the pin with the nut and thereby fastening the pin within the inner cavity, and accommodating at least a portion of the vehicle component on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin
[0050] Referring to FIGs. 1A to 6B, in an embodiment, the proposed inspection assembly 100 (referred to as assembly 100, hereinafter) for securing a component 200 (also referred to as part 200, herein) for inspection is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the component 200 may be a plastic trim part associated with a vehicle interior or exterior such as but not limited to a dashboard or door panel, however, in other exemplary embodiments, the component 200 may also be made of any other material, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present invention.
[0051] The assembly 100 can include a fixed member 102, and a clamping member 104 arranged with the fixed member. The clamping member 104 can be configured to be movably attached to the fixed member 102.
[0052] In an embodiment, the clamping member 104 can include a hole 104-1 on top, and an inner cavity 104-2 is formed in between a portion of the clamping member 104 and a portion of the fixed member 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping member 104 can include a first clamping jaw 104-A and a second clamping jaw 104-B (also referred to as sections104-A, 104-B, herein) that can be configured to form and define the shape of the clamping member 104 having the hole 104-1. These jaws 104-A, 104-B can be configured to pivot or translate with respect to each other between an open position (as shown in FIG. 6A) and a closed position (as shown in FIG. 6B) respectively to facilitate easier and quicker removal of the vehicle components/parts 200 to be tested without any sabotage for the parts to be tested, mainly the clip part associated with the vehicle plastic component 200 is under inspection.
[0053] For instance, in an embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 2, 3A, and 3B, the clamping member 104 can be pivotally attached to the fixed member 102. However, in another embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 4A-4B and 6A-6B, the clamping member 104 can be slidably attached to the fixed member 102.
[0054] In an embodiment, each of the first clamping jaw 104-A and second clamping jaw 104-B can include a substantially semicircular cut or square-shaped semicircular slot. The substantially semicircular cut of the first clamping jaw 104-A and the second clamping jaw 104-B can form the hole 104-1 of a substantially circular shape in its close position that can be adapted to receive and secure the clip 106 or to accommodate the pin 108.
[0055] In an embodiment, the fixed member 102 can be configured to be fixed to a workbench or a platform. Further, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGs. 1A to 3C, the top end 102-1 of the fixed member 102 can include a slot 102-2 having inner threads, where the clamping member 104 can be pivotably attached to the fixed member 102 such that the top end 102-1 of the fixed member 102 extends towards the clamping member 104 while the hole 104-1 and inner cavity 104-2 of the clamping member 104 remain in line with the threaded slot 102-2 of the fixed member 102. However, in other embodiments, as shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B to 6A-6B, the fixed member 102 may not include any threaded slot on the top end 102-1 of the fixed member 102 and where the clamping member 104 can be slidably attached to the fixed member 102.
[0056] In an embodiment, the clamping member 104 can be arranged with the fixed member 102 such that a portion of the fixed member 102 and a portion of the clamping member 104 are spaced apart from each other to form the inner cavity 104-2. The clamping member 104 can be configured to receive a first end of a pin 108 within the inner cavity via the hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104 and enable fastening of the pin 108 therewithin the inner cavity 104-2 and/or to the fixed member 102. Further, a second end opposite to the first end of the pin 108 can be configured to accommodate at least a portion of the vehicle component 200 thereon.
[0057] In an embodiment, the hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104 can be configured to receive and secure a fastening clip 106 associated with the vehicle component 200 or to accommodate a portion of the pin 108. This portion of the pin 108 can be accommodated when the vehicle component 200 without a clip is required to be inspected and when the vehicle component 200 with the clip 106 needs to be inspected the clip 106 is received and secured in the hole 104-1.
[0058] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104 can be configured to receive and secure the clip 106 associated with the component 200, such that a predefined gap G1 remains between the secured component 200 and the clamping member 104. The clip 106 can be a removable part of the component 200 to be inspected, where the clamping member 104 may allow users to directly secure the clip 106 of the component 200 to the clamping member 104 upon fastening the clip 106 into the hole 104-1. The clip 106 can have a lip portion L of a shape that facilitates maintaining the predefined gap G1 between the secured component 200 and the clamping member 104.
[0059] In an embodiment, the pin 108 can have a head H and a shaft S protruding from the head H. The shaft S at a first (bottom) end of the pin 108 can have external threads 108-1. Further, the pin 108 can include a flange F, below the head H, at a top (second) end of the pin 108. The thickness of the flange F can be greater than that of the lip portion L of the clip 106. Furthermore, the head H of the pin 108 can include a groove G at the top end to allow rotation of the pin 108 about its longitudinal axis A-A’ to facilitate screwing or unscrewing of the pin 108. In addition, in an embodiment, the shaft S or bottom end of the pin 108 can include a bore-hole 108-2 extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’ of the pin 108.
[0060] In an embodiment, the clamping member 104 can be configured to allow insertion of the shaft S (or first or bottom end) of the pin 108 within the inner cavity 104-2 via the hole 104-1 and further allow fastening of the inserted pin 108 therewithin as shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B, and/or to the fixed member 102 as shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B. Further, the top (second) end of the fastened pin 108 can be configured to accommodate and secure at least a portion of the component 200 thereon using a clamp 114 as shown in FIG. 3C, such that the predefined gap remains between the secured component 200 and the clamping member 104. As illustrated, the flange F of the pin 108 can sit on the rim of the hole 104-1 which can facilitate maintaining the predefined gap G1 between the secured component 200 and the clamping member 104.
[0061] Referring to FIGs. 3A to 3C in a first embodiment, the clamping member 104 can be configured to receive the shaft S of the pin 108 within the inner cavity 104-2 via the hole 104-1 such that the flange F rests on top of the rim of the hole 104-1. The shaft S of the pin 108 can be further fastened to the top end of the fixed member 102 upon engagement of the external threads 108-1 of the (shaft S) pin 108 with the threaded slot (on top) 102-2 of the fixed member 102, thereby enabling the fastening of the pin 108 to the fixed member 102 by rotating of the pin 108 in a predefined direction using the groove G provided on the head H of the pin 108. Similarly, the pin 108 can be unfastened from the fixed member 102 by rotating the pin 108 in a direction opposite to the predefined direction using the same groove G.
[0062] Referring to FIGs. 4A and 4B, in a second embodiment, the assembly 100 can include a nut 110 having inner threads 110-1, configured to be disposed within the inner cavity 104-2 of the assembly 100, where the nut 110 can facilitate fastening of the pin 108 to the clamping member 104. In such an embodiment, the fixed member 102 may not require any threaded slot at the top end. In addition, the assembly 100 may not require any connection between the pin 108 and the fixed member 102.
[0063] In an embodiment, the assembly 100 can further include a locking member configured to be extended through the clamping member 104 and/or the fixed member 102 and further extended through the bore-hole 108-2 of the fastened pin 108 to restrict undesirable movement of the pin 108 in the inspection condition of the vehicle component 200 without the clip (as shown in figure 4A, 4B and 5A-5D). In an alternative embodiment as shown in figure 6A-6B, the locking member 112 configured to be extended directly through the bore-hole 108-2 of the fastened pin 108 as the inner cavity 104-2 is accessible through sides. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking member can have a substantially longitudinal profile, however, the locking member can also have other shapes or profiles as well.
[0064] In an implementation, referring to FIGs. 3A to 3C, a) when the plastic part without a clip needs to be inspected/tested, the shaft S of the pin 108 can be inserted within the inner cavity 104-2 via the hole 104-1, such that the flange F rests on top of the hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104 with the shaft S of the pin 108 inserted within the threaded slot 102-2 of the fixed member 102. Further, the pin 108 can be fastened to the threaded slot 102-2 of the fixed member 102 by rotating the inserted pin 108 in the predefined direction using the groove G provided on the head H of the pin 108 and tools such as but not limited to a screwdriver. Then, a portion of the plastic part without a clip is rested and secured on the flange F of the pin by using a clamp 114 as shown in FIG. 3C. Furthermore optionally, the locking member can be extended through the clamping member 104 and/or the fixed member 102 and further extended through the bore-hole 108-2 of the fastened pin 108 to restrict movement of the pin 108. Similarly, the pin 108 can be unfastened from the threaded slot 102-2 and the fixed member 102 by rotating the pin 108 in a direction opposite to the predefined direction using the same groove G. The jaws 104-A and 104-B can be pivoted away from each other to remove the pin 108 from the inner cavity 104-2. b) when the plastic part with a clip needs to be tested, the clip 106 associated with the plastic part/component 200 can be inserted within the inner cavity 104-2 via the hole 104-1. The jaws 104-A and 104-B can be pivoted away from each other to remove the clip 106 along with the plastic part/component 200 from the inner cavity 104-2.
[0065] In another implementation, referring to FIGs. 4A, 4B, 5A to 5C, and 6A to 6B, a) when the plastic part without a clip needs to be inspected/tested, initially, the nut 110 can be disposed within the inner cavity 104-2 of the clamping member 104 as shown in FIG. 5A by sliding the jaws (104A and 104B) away from each other and then closing the jaws by bringing the jaws close to each other. Further, the shaft S of the pin 108 can be inserted within the inner cavity 104-2 via the hole 104-1 to at least partially engage with the nut 110 (disposed in the inner cavity 104-2) as shown in FIG. 5B, with the flange F resting on top of the hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104. Furthermore, the pin 108 can be fastened to the engaged nut by rotating the inserted pin 108 in the predefined direction using the groove G provided on the head H of the pin 108 and tools such as but not limited to a screwdriver. Accordingly, upon rotation of the pin 108 using the groove G and the tool, the inner threads 110-1 of the nut 110 engage with the threads 108-1 of the shaft S of the pin 108, causing the nut 110 to move along the shaft S in a direction toward the head H of the pin 108, thereby tightening the nut 110 to an inner wall below the hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104 and fastening the pin 108 to the clamping member 104 as shown in FIG. 5C. Then, a portion of the plastic part without a clip is rested and secured on the flange F of the pin by using a clamp 114 not shown. Furthermore, optionally, the locking member can be extended through the clamping member 104 and/or the fixed member 102 and further extended through the bore-hole 108-2 of the fastened pin 108 as shown in FIG. 5D to restrict the movement of the pin 108. Similarly, the pin 108 can be unfastened from the nut 110 and the clamping member 104 by rotating the pin 108 in a direction opposite to the predefined direction using the same groove G. b) when the plastic part with a clip needs to be tested, the clip 106 associated with the plastic part/component 200 can be inserted within the inner cavity 104-2 via the hole 104-1. The jaws 104-A and 104-B can be slid away from each other to remove the clip 106 along with the plastic part/component 200 from the inner cavity 104-2.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 7A, method 700 for securing a vehicle component 200 without a clip for inspection is disclosed. Method 700 may involve the clamping device 100. Method 700 can include step 702 of arranging the clamping member with the fixed member such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity. Method 700 can further include step 704 of inserting a first end of the pin within the inner cavity via a hole of the clamping member and enabling fastening of the pin within the inner cavity and/or to the fixed member. Further, method 700 can include step 706 of accommodating at least a portion of the vehicle component on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin.
[0067] In an embodiment, at step 704, method 700 can include accommodating and securing a portion of the pin 108 within the hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104 when the vehicle component 200 without a clip 106 is required to be inspected. Further, in another embodiment, at step 704, method 700 can include accommodating and securing the clip 106 associated with the vehicle component 200 within the hole of the clamping member when the vehicle component with the clip is required to be inspected.
[0068] In an embodiment, method 700 can include the steps of moving a first clamping jaw and a second clamping jaw away from each other (refer FIG. 6A and 6B), each having a substantially semicircular cut, to an open position and towards each other in a closed position to form the hole 104-1 of substantially circular shape. Method 700 can further include the steps of inserting and securing a portion of the pin within the formed hole when the vehicle component without a clip is required to be inspected and inserting and securing the clip in the formed hole when the vehicle component with the clip is required to be inspected.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 7B, a second embodiment of method 700-1 for securing a vehicle component with a clip or without a clip for inspection is disclosed. Method 700-1 can include step 702-1 of arranging a clamping member 104 with a fixed member 102, such that a portion of the fixed member 102 and a portion of the clamping member 104 are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity 104-2. The clamping member 104 can include a first clamping jaw 104-A and a second clamping jaw 104-B movable toward each other and away from each other for configuring a closed position and an open position respectively.
[0070] Method 700-1 can further include steps 704-1 of moving the first clamping jaw 104-A and second clamping jaw 104-B away from each other in the open position, disposing a nut 110 with inner threads 110-1 within the inner cavity 104-2, and moving the first clamping jaw 104-A and second clamping jaw 104-B towards each other in the closed position.
[0071] Method 700-1 can further include step 706-1 of inserting a first end of a pin 108 within the inner cavity 104-2 via a hole 104-1 of the clamping member 104 and enabling screwing of the pin 108 with the nut 110 and thereby fastening the pin 108 within the inner cavity 104-2, followed by step 708-1 of accommodating at least a portion of the vehicle component 200 on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin.
[0072] It should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that while various embodiments and drawings of the present disclosure have been elaborated for securing a plastic component (part) associated with a vehicle on the assembly for inspection, however, the teachings of the present disclosure are equally applicable for securing other components (parts) made of any other material which may or may not be associated with vehicle, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the assembly may also allow users to perform other operations, in addition to inspection, on the secured component (part).
[0073] Thus, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks, limitations, and shortcomings associated with existing solutions by providing a simple, efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use inspection assembly for securing plastic components with and without a fastening clip in a desired orientation.
[0074] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0075] The proposed invention overcomes the above drawbacks, limitations, and shortcomings associated with existing clamping devices employed for securing and inspecting plastic components associated with vehicles.
[0076] The proposed invention provides a simple, efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use solution in the form of the inspection assembly for securing plastic and components associated with vehicles in a desired orientation for inspection and other services.
[0077] The proposed invention allows the securing of vehicular plastic parts or components with and without a fastening (flower clip) in a desired orientation on a same inspection assembly.
[0078] The proposed invention involves a minimal number of parts making the assembly easy to manufacture and assemble, and further allowing easier and quick maintenance and servicing of the assembly.
, Claims:1. An inspection assembly (100) for securing a vehicle component (200) with a clip (106) or without a clip (106), the inspection assembly (100) comprising:
a clamping device that comprises;
a fixed member (102); and
a clamping member (104) arranged with the fixed member (102) such that a portion of the fixed member and a portion of the clamping member (104) are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity (104-2);
wherein the clamping member (104) is configured to receive a first end of a pin (108) within the inner cavity (104-2) via a hole (104-1) of the clamping member (104) and enable fastening of the pin (108) therewithin the inner cavity (104-2) and/or to the fixed member (102), and wherein a second end opposite to the first end of the pin (108) is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the vehicle component (200) thereon.
2. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hole (104-1) of the clamping member (104) is configured to receive and secure the clip (106) associated with the vehicle component (200) or to accommodate a portion of the pin (108), wherein the portion of the pin (108) is accommodated when the vehicle component (200) without a clip is required to be inspected, and wherein when the vehicle component (200) with the clip (106) is required to be inspected the clip (106) with the vehicle component (200) is received and secured in the hole (104-1).
3. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the clamping member (104) comprises a first clamping jaw (104-A) and a second clamping jaw (104-B) movable from a closed position to an open position and includes a substantially semicircular cut, wherein the substantially semicircular cut of the first clamping jaw (104-A) and the second clamping jaw (104-B) form the hole (104-1) of a substantially circular shape in its close position that is adapted to receive and secure the clip (106) or to accommodate the first end of the pin (108).

4. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first clamping jaw (104-A) and the second clamping jaw (104-B) of the clamping member (104) are pivotally or slidably coupled to the fixed member (102).
5. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a top end of the fixed member (102) comprises a slot (102-2) having inner threads, and wherein the first end of the pin (108) comprises external threads (108-1) that are configured to engage with the inner threads of the slot (102-2) of the fixed member (102) to enable fastening of the pin (108) to the fixed member (102), upon rotation of the pin (108) in a predefined direction.
6. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inspection assembly (100) comprises a nut (110) having inner threads (110-1), configured to be disposed within the inner cavity (104-2) of the clamping member (104), and wherein the first end of the pin (108) comprises external threads (108-1) configured to be inserted within the hole (104-1) and further through the inner threads (110-1) of the nut (110) to fasten the pin (108) to the clamping member (104), upon rotation of the inserted pin (108) in a predefined direction.
7. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a head (H) of the pin (108) at the second end comprises a groove (G) to facilitate fastening of the pin (108) to the assembly (100) upon rotation of the groove (G) in a predefined direction and facilitate unfastening or loosening of the pin (108) from assembly (100) upon rotation of the groove (G) in a direction opposite to the predefined direction.
8. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip (106) associated with the vehicle component (200) includes a lip (L) that sits on a rim of the hole (104-1) of the clamping member (104) such that a predefined gap G1 is maintained in-between the secured vehicle component (200) and the clamping member (104), wherein the second end of the pin (108) comprises a flange (F) of a predefined thickness that sits on the rim of the hole (104-1) and facilitates in maintaining the predefined gap G1 between the secured component (200) and the clamping member (104).

9. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the pin (108) comprises a bore-hole (108-2) extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A-A’) of the pin (108), wherein the assembly (100) comprises a locking member configured to extended through the bore-hole (108-2) of the fastened pin (108) to restrict undesirable movement of the pin (108) in the inspection condition of the vehicle component without clip (106).
10. The inspection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component (200) is a plastic trim part associated with a vehicle interior or exterior such as a dashboard or door panel.
11. A method (700) for securing a vehicle component (200) with a clip (106) or without a clip (106) for inspection, the method (700) comprises the steps of:
arranging (702) a clamping member (104) with a fixed member (102), such that a portion of the fixed member (102) and a portion of the clamping member (104) are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity (104-2);
inserting (704) a first end of a pin (108) within the inner cavity (104-2) via a hole (104-1) of the clamping member (104) and enabling fastening of the pin (108) within the inner cavity (104-2) and/or to the fixed member (102); and
accommodating (706) at least a portion of the vehicle component (200) on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin (108).
12. The method (700) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the method (700) comprises the steps of:
accommodating and securing a portion of the pin (108) within the hole (104-1) of the clamping member (104) when the vehicle component (200) without a clip is required to be inspected; and
accommodating and securing the clip (106) associated with the vehicle component (200) within the hole (104-1) of the clamping member (104) when the vehicle component (200) with the clip (106) is required to be inspected.
13. The method (700) as claimed in claims 12, wherein the method (700) further comprises the steps of:
moving a first clamping jaw (104-A) and a second clamping jaw (104-B), each having a substantially semicircular cut, to an open position to remove the pin (108) or the clip (106) as desirable; and
inserting and securing a portion of the pin (108) within the hole (104-1) formed when the jaws (104A and 104B) are in closed position and when the vehicle component (200) without a clip is required to be inspected; and
inserting and securing the clip (106) in the hole (104-1) formed when the jaws (104A and 104B) are in closed position and when the vehicle component (200) with the clip (106) is required to be inspected.
14. A method (700-1) for securing a vehicle component (200) with a clip (106) or without a clip (106) for inspection, the method (700) comprises the steps of:
arranging a clamping member (104) with a fixed member (102), such that a portion of the fixed member (102) and a portion of the clamping member (104) are spaced apart from each other to form an inner cavity (104-2), wherein the clamping member includes a first clamping jaw (104-A) and a second clamping jaw (104-B) movable toward each other and away from each other for configuring a closed position and an open position respectively;
moving the first clamping jaw (104-A) and the second clamping jaw (104-B) away from each other in the open position;
disposing a nut (110) with inner threads (110-1) within the inner cavity (104-2);
moving the first clamping jaw (104-A) and the second clamping jaw (104-B) towards each other in the closed position;
inserting a first end of a pin (108) within the inner cavity (104-2) via a hole (104-1) of the clamping member (104) and enabling screwing of the pin (108) with the nut (110) and thereby fastening the pin (108) within the inner cavity (104-2); and
accommodating at least a portion of the vehicle component (200) on a second end opposite to the first end of the pin (108).