DESC:CLIP MOUNTING STRUCTURE

FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to clip mounting structure in a vehicle and, in particular, to rectangular hollow clip mounting structure having locking edge to provide strong mounting in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Clip mounting structure is used in vehicles at several places. One of the places is central lower console of the instrument panel where arm rest, rear AC vent, and bottle holder can be placed. The clip mounting structure has two parts, i.e., clip as engaging member and mounting structure as receiving member. The mounting structure is fixed on the part which is to be mounted.
[003] US patent publication US 8567017 B2 describes a two-member assembling structures for assembling an attachment member, such as a center cluster of a vehicle, to a mating member, such as an instrument panel by using a clip. Fig. 1a illustrates the clip structure for the engaging member. The clip structure 100 is U shape clip structure. Fig. 1b illustrates the mounting structure 102 or pedestal structure for receiving the clip structure 100. The two-member assembling structure, i.e., clip 100 and mounting structure 102 for assembling a predetermined attachment member to a mating member by inserting the clip 100 mounted to the pedestal 102 provided on the attachment member into a clip hole 104 provided in the mounting structure 102. The clip 100 includes a pedestal coupling portion 101 to be coupled with the clip hole 104 of the mounting structure for mounting the center cluster with the vehicle body. It is difficult to manufacture pedestal structure or mounting structure 102 for the clip because it uses lifter tool for manufacturing. Further, the back surface of the mounting structure is solid which does not allow mounting of another component on the center cluster.
[004] The lifter tool is used to manufacture the mounting structure to give cuts and particular shape to clip tower of the clip mounting structure with clip hole. Fig. 2 shows use of lifter tool in manufacturing the structure of the clip mounting structure as known in the art. In the present structure, the lifter tool 202 is required while manufacturing the mounting structure 102. Fig. 3 shows the movement of the lifter tool 202 in manufacturing of the clip mounting structure 102. The lifter tool 202 creates clip hole in the mounting structure 102. Therefore, a special flow of lifter tool is required in the manufacturing of the clip mounting structure 102.
[005] In the conventional design of the clip mounting structures, there is a limitation of pitch between clip mounting, normally pitch is approximately 50 mm. Due to high pitch requirement, the clip mounting structure has to compromise with the rigidity along fit and finish of parts. In the current automobile industry, instrument assembly is becoming more complex where parts are mounted on Instrument panel and then over the mounted parts another parts are mounted which are visible to the customer. To make this type arrangement, more and more clip mounting is required to have a strong holding between the parts. The present mounting structure does not fulfill this requirement and causes several space constraints and problem during mounting. Further use of the complicated tools, such as lifter tool increases the cost and decreases the productivity of the part.
[006] In view of the above, it is beneficial to have a clip mounting structure that reduces the requirement of lifter tool in manufacturing and that allows possibility of mounting another component on the clip mounting structure of base component of the vehicle. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a clip mounting structure that is more simple and inexpensive, and which can be placed in the various components of the vehicle or any other apparatus to mount the clip easily and provide possibility of mounting another component on the clip mounting structure from other side.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a clip mounting structure.
[008] Another objective of the present invention is to eliminate the limitation of pitch between the clip mounting and parts.
[009] Another objective of present invention is to provide necessary strength to the clip mounting structure to hold the parts in the vehicle.
[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to eliminate the requirement of lifter tool in manufacturing of the clip mounting structure.
[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to mount vehicle component efficiently on vehicle panel.
[0012] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and a cost efficient clip mounting structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0013] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to clip mounting structure for mounting any component, specifically, vehicle center console on vehicle floor penal. The present clip mounting structure has a rectangular hollow structure base. The rectangular hollow structure has a pair of head projections extending from one end, i.e., top end surface to receive a clip for mounting. Each head projection from the pair of head projections extends from opposite sides of the rectangular hollow structure. The pair of head projections has a rectangular plate structure at top end which act as a locking edge to receive the clip structure. Further, an insertion hole is formed between the rectangular plate structure at top end of the pair of head projections and the top end surface of the rectangular hollow structure. The clip mounting structure is manufactured from a single material.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the present clip mounting structure is provided on center console of the vehicle to mount the center console on the floor panel of the vehicle. The center console is a molded component from single metal. The clip mounting structure is manufactured in the center console during molding process. Further, manufacturing of the present clip mounting structure does not require lifter tool to provide insertion hole and pitch in the structure. The center console is mounted on the vehicle floor panel with the help of present clip mounting structure and clip. After mounting the center console on the vehicle floor panel, the back side of the present clip mounting structure has rectangular hollow structure for mounting other components, such as arm rest. The rectangular hollow structure of the present clip mounting structure provides another possibility to hold and mount other component from the back side.
[0015] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0017] Fig. 1a illustrates structure of clip in the clip mounting structure;
[0018] Fig. 1b illustrate structure of clip mounting structure or pedestal structure to receive the clip as known in the art;
[0019] Fig. 2 & 3 illustrate manufacturing of the clip mounting structure using lifter tool as known in the art;
[0020] Fig. 4a illustrates clip mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0021] Fig. 4b illustrate perspective view of the clip mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0022] Fig. 5 illustrates manufacturing of present clip mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0023] Fig. 6 illustrates front side view of the clip mounting structure located on center console of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0024] Fig. 7 illustrates back side view of the clip mounting structure located on center console of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0025] 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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0026] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to clip mounting structure for mounting any component, specifically, vehicle center console on vehicle floor penal. The present clip mounting structure has a rectangular hollow structure base. The rectangular hollow structure has a pair of head projections extending from one end, i.e., top end surface to receive a clip for mounting. Each head projection from the pair of head projections extends from opposite sides of the rectangular hollow structure. The pair of head projections has a rectangular plate structure at top end which act as a locking edge to receive the clip structure. Further, an insertion hole is formed between the rectangular plate structure at top end of the pair of head projections and the top end surface of the rectangular hollow structure. The clip mounting structure is manufactured from a single material.
[0027] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the present clip mounting structure is provided on center console of the vehicle to mount the center console on the floor panel of the vehicle. The center console is a molded component from single metal. The clip mounting structure is manufactured in the center console during molding process. Further, manufacturing of the present clip mounting structure does not require lifter tool to provide insertion hole and pitch in the structure. The center console is mounted on the vehicle floor panel with the help of present clip mounting structure and clip. After mounting the center console on the vehicle floor panel, the back side of the present clip mounting structure has rectangular hollow structure for mounting other components, such as arm rest. The rectangular hollow structure of the present clip mounting structure provides another possibility to hold and mount other component from the back side.
[0028] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0029] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates structure of present clip mounting structure, in accordance with the present subject matter. The clip mounting structure 400 has a rectangular hollow structure 401 at base. The clip mounting structure 400 has a pair of head projections 402a, 402b extending from one end, i.e., top end surface of the rectangular hollow structure 401 to receive a clip for mounting. Each head projection 402a or 402b from the pair of head projections 402a, 402b extends from opposite sides 401a, 401b of the rectangular hollow structure 401. A rectangular plate structure 403 is provided in between the pair of head projections at top end which act as a locking edge to receive the clip structure. Further, the rectangular plate structure 404 is provided vertically in between the pair of head projections 402a, 402b. The pair of head projections 402a, 402b is in U shape which has broad base towards the top end surface of the rectangular hollow structure 401 and narrow top end surface. Further, an insertion hole 404 is formed in between the rectangular plate structure 404 at top end of the pair of head projections 402a, 402b and the top end surface of the rectangular hollow structure 401. The insertion hole 404 is rectangular in shape.
[0031] The clip mounting structure 400 acts as a receiving member to mount the parts on the base. Further, the insertion hole 404 present in the clip mounting structure 400 receives the engaging portion of the part and make the strong mounting between the part and the clip mounting structure 400. The insertion hole 404 present in the clip mounting structure 400 provides a positive mounting and holds the parts strongly towards the base and restrict their movement. The clip mounting structure 400 restrict movement of the part in any direction and thus avoid chattering noise in the mounting structure. Further the locking edge or rectangular plate structure 403 guides the clip structure and locks the legs of clip structure with the insertion hole 404. The clip mounting structure 400 can be provided on any part to mount that part on any base part.
[0032] Fig. 5 illustrates the manufacturing of the present clip mounting structure without lifter tool. In the manufacturing process, the present structure of the clip mounting can be generated using simple tool. The present clip mounting structure does not require lifter tool for forming of insertion hole. The clip mounting structure can be manufactured using simple molding process. As shown in fig. 5, the cavity 501 makes shape of the clip mounting structure 502 in the core 503. Further the design of the present clip mounting structure can be designed where the pitch requirement is very less, for example, 5mm to 15mm.
[0033] The present clip mounting structure can be provided on any part for mounting the part on the base. To avoid complexity and for better understanding of the present subject matter and its application, the present clip mounting structure is explained with the center console. The location of the clip mounting structure can be provided on any part vehicle. The clip mounting structure is made of same material from which the base is made. Further, it is made during molding process of the part. Fig. 6 illustrates front side view of the clip mounting structure located on center console of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The clip mounting structure 601 is provided on center console 600 of the vehicle to mount the center console 600 on floor panel of the vehicle. The center console 600 is a single molded component from single metal. The clip mounting structure 601 is manufactured in the center console 600 during molding process. Further, manufacturing of the clip mounting structure 601 does not require lifter tool to provide insertion hole and pitch in the clip mounting structure. The center console 600 is mounted on the vehicle floor panel with the help of the clip mounting structure and clip. As shown in the figure 7, after mounting the center console 600 with the clip mounting structure 601 on the vehicle floor panel, the back side of the present clip mounting structure 601 has rectangular hollow hole 603 for mounting other components, such as arm rest. The rectangular hollow hole 603 of the clip mounting structure 601 provides another possibility to hold and mount other component from the back side. When the center console 600 is mounted on the vehicle with the use of the clip mounting structure 601 present at the rear side. The locking edge of the clip mounting structure locks the center console 600 with the vehicle and restricts the movement of the center console 600 with respect to the vehicle.
[0034] Present clip mounting structure eliminates the limitation of pitch between clip mounting part, i.e., base part and other parts, i.e., outermost parts mounted on the base part. The rectangular hollow structure has rectangular opening at the back which can be used for mounting of another component on the center console. The rectangular opening acts as locating hole for the outermost part which is going to be assembled over the base part. This assembly helps in better fit and finish to the parts assembly and gives good feeling to customer.
[0035] In addition to that present clip mounting structure leads to simple tool design therefore no requirement of Lifter/Slider in manufacturing of the present structure. Further it eliminates requirements of slider tool which results in to low cost and increases the production rate. Furthermore, the clip mounting structure has major hollow portion which provide necessary strength and saving in weight.
[0036] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Plural structural components or steps can be provided by a single integrated structure or step. Alternatively, a single integrated structure or step might be divided into separate plural components or steps. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0037] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A clip mounting structure (400) located on a component for mounting the component on a base, the clip mounting structure (400) comprising:
a rectangular hollow structure (401) at base;
a pair of head projections (402a 402b) extending from top end surface of the rectangular hollow structure (401); and
a rectangular plate structure (403) provided in between the pair of head projections (402a, 402b) at top end.
2. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each head projection (402a, 402b) from the pair of head projections (402a, 402b) extends from opposite sides (401a, 401b) of the rectangular hollow structure (401).
3. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rectangular plate structure (403) is provided vertically in between the pair of head projections (402a, 402b).
4. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip mounting structure (400) has an insertion hole (404) in between the rectangular plate structure (403) and the top end surface of the rectangular hollow structure (401).
5. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip mounting structure (400) integrally provided on the component.
6. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component is a center console (600).
7. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertically provided rectangular plate structure (403) act as a guide to engage a clip in the insertion hole (404).
8. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rectangular hollow structure (401) of the clip mounting structure (400) is used to mount another component from back side.
9. The clip mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip mounting structure (400) is manufactured in the component (600) during molding process.