Claims:We claim
1. A mounting assembly (400) for mounting a mating part to a base part of an automotive trim, the mounting assembly (400) comprising:
a base fixture (402) configured to be a part of the base part, the base fixture (402) comprises:
a boss (504) defining a hole (510) to receive a fastener (702); and
a plurality of base ribs (506) extending along the length on outer surface of the boss (504), such that a boss space (516) is defined between two successive base ribs (506), wherein distal end of the base rib (506) defines a guiding face (508); and
a mating fixture (404) configured to be a part of the mating part, the mating fixture (404) comprises:
a hollow cylinder (604) configured to receive the boss (504); and
a plurality of mating ribs (608) extending along the length on inner surface (606) of the hollow cylinder (604), such that a mating space (610) is defined between two successive mating ribs (608), wherein,
proximal end of the mating ribs (608) defines a mating guiding face (612); and
the mating ribs (608) are configured to be received in the boss space (516) when the boss (504) is received in the hollow cylinder (604).

2. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base fixture (402) comprises a horizontal surface (502), wherein,
the boss (504) is transverse to the horizontal surface (502); and
the axis (512) of the hole (510) is transverse to the horizontal surface (502).

3. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the distal end of the base rib (506) is end of the base rib (506) that is away from the horizontal surface (502).
4. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hole (510) defines a threaded portion (514) to tighten the fastener (702).
5. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein top end of the boss (504) defines a fastener guiding face (518).
6. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the boss (504) is cylindrical in shape.
7. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the boss (504) is cuboidal in shape.
8. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mating fixture (404) comprises a mating horizontal surface (602), wherein the hollow cylinder (604) is transverse to the mating horizontal surface (602).
9. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the proximal end of the mating rib (608) is the end of the mating rib (608) that is close to the mating horizontal surface (602).
10. The mounting assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein top end of the hollow cylinder (604) comprises a closure (614) to cover the mating ribs (608), wherein the closure (614) defines a closure hole (616) configured to allow the passage of the fastener (702) into the boss (504).

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to mounting a mating part to a base part of an automotive trim. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to using a system to affix a mating part to a base part without using a separate locator and a doghouse.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter.
[003] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the need is to connect a base part 102 to a mating part 202 of an automotive trim 100. The base part 102 is provided with a doghouse 104, wherein the doghouse 104 has a screw boss 106 and a locator pin 108 integrally formed therein. The locator pin 108 along with the screw boss 106 is formed on the doghouse 104 of the base part 102 to avoid any sink mark in the base part 102. The use of the locator pin 108 is to align the screw boss 106 with the hole of the mating part 202.
[004] Thus, large sized doghouse 104 is required to accommodate screw boss 106 and the locator pin 108. A separate locator pin 108 for each screw boss 106 increases number of features to be formed in the base part 102. Further, large mounting area is required in the mating part 202 to accommodate the screw boss 106 and the locator pin 108, which creates space constraints for other surrounding parts.
[005] Furthermore, there are chances that the base part 102 may move relative to the mating part 202. To avoid this, another locator pin (not shown) is used. This further increases the working area of the parts 102, 202.
[006] Exemplary illustration as shown in Fig. 3, disclosed is an instrument panel trim 300 around a glove box area of an automobile. Affixing the mating part 202 to the base part 102 over a large area, such as the instrument panel trim 300, screw bosses and the locator pins are to be used at multiple locations, such as 304, 306. In addition to this, additional locator pins may be used to restrict the relative movement between the parts 102, 202. Thus, space utilization is high in the conventional set up.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[007] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a mating part to a base part of an automotive trim.
[009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting assembly that eliminates the use of separate locator pins.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting assembly that eliminates use of doghouse to accommodate screw bosses.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting assembly that further eliminates the use of additional locator pins to avoid relative movement between the mating part and the base part.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting assembly that uses a single structure to locate and affix the mating part and the base part and use the same structure to restrict the relative movement between the mating part and the base part.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a mounting assembly for mounting a mating part to a base part of an automotive trim. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0015] The present disclosure relates to a mounting assembly for mounting a mating part to a base part of an automotive trim. The mounting assembly comprises a base fixture configured to be a part of the base part. The base fixture comprises a boss defining a hole to receive a fastener; and a plurality of base ribs extending along the length on outer surface of the boss, such that a boss space is defined between two successive base ribs, wherein distal end of the base rib defines a guiding face. The mounting assembly further comprises a mating fixture that is configured to be a part of the mating part. The mating fixture comprises a hollow cylinder that is configured to receive the boss; and a plurality of mating ribs extending along the length on inner surface of the hollow cylinder, such that a mating space is defined between two successive mating ribs. A proximal end of the mating ribs defines a mating guiding face; and the mating ribs are configured to be received in the boss space when the boss is received in the hollow cylinder.
[0016] In an aspect, the base fixture comprises a horizontal surface, wherein, the boss is transverse to the horizontal surface; and the axis of the hole is transverse to the horizontal surface.
[0017] In an aspect, the distal end of the base rib is end of the base rib that is away from the horizontal surface.
[0018] In an aspect, top end of the boss defines a fastener guiding face.
[0019] In an aspect, the boss is cylindrical in shape.
[0020] In an aspect, the boss is cuboidal in shape.
[0021] In an aspect, the mating fixture comprises a mating horizontal surface, wherein the hollow cylinder is transverse to the mating horizontal surface.
[0022] In an aspect, the proximal end of the mating rib is the end of the mating rib that is close to the mating horizontal surface.
[0023] In an aspect, top end of the hollow cylinder comprises a closure to cover the mating ribs, wherein the closure defines a closure hole configured to allow the passage of the fastener into the boss.
[0024] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0026] FIGs. 1 and 2 disclose a conventional setup for affixing a base part to a mating part of an automotive trim;
[0027] FIG. 3 discloses an exemplary embodiment of the conventional set up using an instrument panel trim around a glove box area of an automobile;
[0028] FIG. 4 is an exemplary assembled top view of a mounting assembly for mounting a mating part to a base part, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a base fixture of the mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6A is an isometric view of a mating fixture of the mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 6B is an isometric bottom view of the mating fixture of the mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a section view of the mounting assembly along a section line AA of fig. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 8 is a section view of the mounting assembly along a section line BB of fig. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein 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 scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0036] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0038] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0039] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, disclosed is an assembled top view of a mounting assembly 400 for mounting a mating part to a base part, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mounting assembly 400 may comprise a base fixture 402 and a mating fixture 404.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base fixture 402 may be configured to be a part of the base part and the mating fixture 404 may be configured to be a part of the mating part.
[0043] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the base fixture 402 of the mounting assembly 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The base fixture 402 may comprise a horizontal surface 502, a boss 504, and a plurality of base ribs 506.
[0044] In an embodiment, the horizontal surface 502 may be an extension of the base part.
[0045] The boss 504 may be configured to be transverse to the horizontal surface 502. The boss 504 may define a hole 510 configured to receive a fastener 702, such as a screw (shown in FIG. 7). The axis 512 of the hole 510 may be transverse to the horizontal surface 502.
[0046] In an embodiment, the plurality of base ribs 506 may be provided on the outer surface of the boss 504 such that the base ribs 506 may extend along the length of the boss 504. A boss space 516 may be defined between two successive base ribs 506.
[0047] In an embodiment, distal end of the base rib 506 may define a guiding face 508. The guiding face 508 is defined by the tapering of the base rib 506 towards the distal end. For reference, the distal end of the base rib 506 is the end of the base rib 506 that is away from the horizontal surface 502.
[0048] In an embodiment, the plurality of base ribs 506 may be located at equidistant from each other around the boss 504.
[0049] In an embodiment, the hole 510 may define a threaded portion 514 to receive and tighten the fastener 702.
[0050] In an embodiment, the hole 510 may define a fastener guiding face 518 to guide the fastener 702 for easy insertion inside the hole 510.
[0051] In an embodiment, the boss 504 may assume any shape that may not hinder the attachment of the base part to the mating part. As an example, the boss 504 may be cylindrical, or cuboidal among others.
[0052] Referring to FIGs. 6A and 6B, disclosed is the isometric view of the mating fixture 404 of the mounting assembly 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mating fixture 404 comprises a mating horizontal surface 602, a hollow cylinder 604 and a plurality of mating ribs 608.
[0053] In an embodiment, the mating horizontal surface 602 may be an extension of the mating part.
[0054] In an embodiment, the hollow cylinder 604 may be configured to be transverse to the mating horizontal surface 602. The hollow cylinder 604 may be configured to receive the boss 504. The plurality of mating ribs 608 may be provided on inner surface 606 of the hollow cylinder 604. The plurality of mating ribs 608 may extend along the length of the hollow cylinder 604. A mating space 610 may be defined between two successive mating ribs 608.
[0055] In an embodiment, the plurality of mating ribs 608 may be located at equidistant from each other within the hollow cylinder 604.
[0056] In an embodiment, proximal end of the mating rib 608 may define a mating guiding face 612. The mating guiding face 612 is defined by the tapering of the mating rib 608 towards the proximal end. For reference, the proximal end of the mating rib 608 is the end of the mating rib 608 that is close to the mating horizontal surface 602.
[0057] In an embodiment, top end of the hollow cylinder 604 may comprise a closure 614 that may cover the mating ribs 608. The closure 614 may define a closure hole 616 that may be configured to allow the passage of the fastener 702 (shown in FIG. 7) into the boss 504.