FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is directed to an improved U-lug for improved part fitment in
motor vehicle. It is particularly applicable to lower quarter trim of vehicle
without restricting scope of the invention to the same.
BACKGROUND /PRIOR ART
Lower quarter trim is provided in the rear passenger area on either side of rear
seat of vehicle. Now reference may be made to fig 1. One side of the lower
quarter trim (1) is disposed with a plurality of U-lugs (U) for assembly of the
trim (1) on the body panel of vehicle (2) by means of a rubber gasket called as
opening trim (3). The rubber gasket holds the quarter trim to the vehicle. The
U-lug (U) constitutes a single piece as illustrated in fig 2, which includes an
extended part (E) at the end of one leg integrated thereto. However, the
drawback with the above provision is that the U-lug is not capable of holding
it's location with respect to the panel as it slips during the assembly process of
the gasket owing to application of force. /The assembly of the gasket thus
becomes very difficult consuming more, time and in worst case a gap is created
between the gasket and quarter lower trim due to improper matching
therebetween.
Actually, the provision of U-lug leads to inward movement and downward
movement of trim causing wider gap and hard in assembly.
Further, the gap is exposed to the user, which degrades aestheticness. This
may require repair to close said gap thereby adding to maintenance cost.
In view of the above, it is required to devise a novel U-lug to ensure proper
fitment of the quarter trim, on the body panel of vehicle by avoiding its
movement while assembling the gasket. So that the quarter,trim locks firmly
on the vehicle thereby addressing issues of the prior art.
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OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to propose an improved U-lug for improved part
fitment in motor vehicle which obviates the shortcomings of known art (s).
Another object of this invention is to propose an improved U-lug for improved
part fitment in motor vehicle which facilitates assembly by preventing slippage
of part during the assembly.
Further object of this invention is to propose an improved U-lug for improved
part fitment in motor vehicle which maintains the designed gap.
Yet another object of this invention is to propose an improved" U-lug for
improved part fitment in motor vehicle which results in ease of assembly.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided an improved U-lug for improved
part fitment in motor vehicle comprising of a U-lug, one leg of which is
integrated to a member having substantially L-section at the end thereof,
wherein locking surface of the member accommodates body panel of vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
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Fig. 1 shows: Conventional assembly between quarter trim lower, body panel
and rubber gasket.
Fig. 2 shows: U-lug of prior art.
Fig. 3 shows: U-lug according to one embodiment of present invention.
Fig. 4 shows: U-lug integrated with quarter trim lower of vehicle.
Fig. 5 and 5A shows: Detail view of U-lug of first embodiment.
Fig. 6 shows: Assembly between quarter trim lower, body panel and rubber
gasket in accordance with present invention.
Fig. 7 shows: U-lug according to second embodiment of present invention.
Fig. 8 shows: Known lug to restrict inward movement.
Fig. 9 shows: Lug of second embodiment integrated to one side of quarter trim
lower of vehicle.
Fig. 10 shows:* Direction of force application during assembly in prior art.
Fig. 11 shows: Direction of force application during assembly in present
invention. * ..
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention discloses an improved U-lug for. proper fitment of the quarter
trim on body panel of vehicle with a rubber gasket sandwitched therebetween
and by maintaining designed gap between said gasket and quarter lower trim.
Now reference may be made to fig 3 wherein the existing U-lug is modified by
replacing its extended part (E, fig 2) with a part (P) to form novel lug (G) as in
Fio- 3
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The part (P) is having substantially a L-section, which is integrated to end of
one leg (L) of the lug.
Thus the lug forms a single piece. This lug (G) is provided in multiple along one
side of the quarter trim of vehicle (Q) as illustrated in fig. 4.
Now referring to fig 5 and .5 A detailing out the improved lug of invention. Here,
the adjoining surface (S) of the L-section part (P) is tapered towards the base
(B)of the lug at both ends (Di, D2) as best seen in fig 5 and 5A.
This guides the rubber gasket in the course of assembly. The locking surface (I)
of the part (P) directing towards the U-lug is employed to accommodate the
body panel during assembly. The member (M) of the part (P) in parallel with the
leg (L') of said lug creates a boundary for the body panel thereby restricting its
movement inward and downward.
The assembly between body panel (T), quarter trim (2') and rubber gasket (3') is
shown in fig 6.
The quarter trim is integral to multitude of such U-lugs along its one side. The
lug is made of polypropylene (PP) without restricting its scope to the same.
Thus, other materials readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are
understood to be within ambit of this invention.
According to another embodiment of invention, for which reference may be
made to. fig. 7 the extended part (E1) of the U-lug (U1) is integrated to a member
part (T) for ease of assembly and to avoid slippage of quarter trim in the
downward direction.
This can be employed with a lug (A) to restrict inward movement as illustrated
in the figure 8.
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The member part (T) constituting an angular bead comprises a smooth apex
(A), one side (5) of which facing the quarter trim is inclined to facilitate guiding
of the gasket while assembling. Other side.surface (6) of said bead can take any
shape depending on the tooling requirement.
Relying on the aforesaid design criteria various embodiments of the angular
bead can be devised. Fig. 7 is a mere illustration of one embodiment without
restricting perview of the invention to the same. ' .
As can be seen in fig 9, the quarter trim of vehicle is integrated to multiple lugs
(U') of second embodiment with the angular bead.
Now referring to fig 10 and 11 illustrating comparison between the direction of.
force during assembly in prior art and present invention Fig. 10 shows the
following:
Direction of force during assembly-7
Design location-8
Actual location-9
Fig 11 shows the following:
Direction of force in the course of assembly to keep the hook in its place-10
Guiding direction during assembly to guide the panel into the U-lug-11
The bead in the "U" lug of quarter lower trim ensures proper assembly of the
gasket. This bead assists in supporting the quarter lower trim, by changing the
direction of application of force during assembly of the gasket and aptly guides
it into the "U-lug"
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Advantageous Features:
- Prevention of slippage of quarter trim during assembly.
- Maintains the designed gap.
- Facilitates assembly.
- No degradation of aestheticness.
- No requirement of maintenance to close the gap.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to'be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-

CLAIMi
1. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle comprising of a Ulug,
one leg of which is integrated to a member having substantially Lsection
at the end thereof, wherein locking surface of the member
accommodates body panel ol vehicle.
2. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle as claimed in claim
1 wherein the adjoining surface of the L-section member is tapered
. towards the base of lug at both ends.
3. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle as claimed in claim
1 or 2 wherein the member restricts inward and downward movement of
the body panel in the course of assembly.
4. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle comprising a U-lug,
one leg of which with extended part is integrated to an angular bead.
5. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle as claimed in claim
4 wherein the lug can be employed with a lug to restrict inward
movement of a part such as quarter trim.
6. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle as claimed in claim
4 or 5 wherein the angular bead comprises a smooth apex, one side of
which facing the quarter trim is inclined to facilitate guiding of the gasket
while assembling.
7. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle as claimed in any
of the proceeding claims 4-6 wherein the lug with the angular bead acts
as a guide that facilitates assembly and avoids slippage of quarter trim in
the downward direction.
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8. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle as claimed in any
of the proceeding claims wherein the leg integrated to the member/bead
is directed away from quarter trim lower of vehicle and other leg of the Ulug
is fixedly secured with the quarter trim lower along one side thereof.
9. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle as claimed in any
of the preceding claims is associated with the advantageous features
such as herein described.
10. An improved U-lug for a part fitment in motor vehicle substantially
as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.