TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to exterior trims in an automobile.
More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to affixing a side sill cladding to a rear fender lining of the automobile.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Side sill cladding exists in an automobile on side body to improve the
decorativeness of the vehicle body and protect it from getting dirty or damaged by stones, muds or gravels. Fender linings are provided as a cover on the inner surface of wheel houses (tire houses) to prevent splashing of water, mud, sand, pebbles, etc. kicked up by tires while travelling. They are thin walled parts and hence are quite flexible.
[004] Conventionally, a part of the fender lining is sandwiched between the
side sill cladding and the rear fender cladding. The remaining part of the fender lining is provided outside the cladding and the mounting is provided between the fender lining and the side sill cladding.
[005] The above arrangement of the side sill cladding with the rear fender
lining is not visually appealing. However, when fixing the rear fender lining with the side sill cladding after assembling, the rear fender lining owing to being quite flexible moves away when an operator try to fix them using a fastener, and the assembly at this area acts as a blind zone for the operator, hence both hands cannot be used in a fast moving vehicle assembly line. Hence, there is a necessity of a system and a method that provides a simplified arrangement of the side sill cladding with the rear fender lining that improves the aesthetics of the vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[006] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in state-of-the-art, some of
the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[007] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a rear fender lining-
side sill cladding clamping system that provides a simplified arrangement of the two parts i.e., side sill cladding with rear fender lining.
[008] It is another object of the present disclosure to propose a method of
affixing a rear fender lining and a side sill cladding.
[009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to improve the
aesthetics around the attachment of the side sill cladding to the rear fender lining.
[0010] 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
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to affixing a side sill cladding to a rear fender lining in an automobile. 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.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to a rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system. The system comprises a rear fender lining and a side sill cladding. The rear fender lining defines a fender lining surface and a flange extending from the fender lining surface. The width of the flange decreases from flange proximal end to flange distal end. The flange comprises a plurality of ribs projecting from the

fender lining surface towards the end of the flange. The side sill cladding comprises a base surface, an end plate and a sill rib. The end plate is transverse to the base surface. The sill rib and the end plate defines a flange path such that the width of the flange path decreases from sill proximal end to sill distal end.
[0013] The present disclosure further relates to a method of affixing a rear fender lining and a side sill cladding. The method comprises attaching a rear fender lining to a rear wheel house. The rear fender lining defines a fender lining surface and a flange extending from the fender lining surface. The width of the flange decreases from flange proximal end to flange distal end. The flange comprises a plurality of ribs projecting from the fender lining surface towards the end of the flange. The method further comprises defining a flange path on a side sill cladding between a sill rib and an end plate. The side sill cladding comprises a base surface, an end plate transverse to the base surface and the sill rib. The width of the flange path decreases from sill proximal end to sill distal end. The method further comprises moving a side sill cladding towards the rear fender lining.
[0014] 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 ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0015] 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:

[0016] FIG. 1 discloses an automobile 100 with a rear wheel house 102.
[0017] FIG. 2 discloses a rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 in accordance with an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 along line AA shown in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIGs. 4 and 5 disclose a method of affixing a rear fender lining 200 and a side sill cladding 202.
[0020] FIGs. 6 and 7 disclose the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 with the side sill cladding 202 attached to the rear fender lining 200.
[0021] FIG. 8 is the sectional view of the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 along line BB shown in FIG. 7.
[0022] 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
[0023] 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is an automobile 100 with a rear wheel house 102. A rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 is provided to improve the aesthetics of the automobile 100.
[0030] FIG. 2 discloses the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 in accordance with an embodiment. The system 104 comprises a rear fender lining 200 and a side sill cladding 202.
[0031] The rear fender lining 200 defining a fender lining surface 204 and a flange 206. The flange 206 extends from the fender lining surface 204. The width of the flange 206 is such that it decreases from a flange proximal end 208 to a flange distal end 210.
[0032] In an embodiment, the flange proximal end 208 may be the end that is located towards the inside of the automobile 100.
[0033] In an embodiment, the flange distal end 210 may be the end that is located towards the outside of the automobile 100.
[0034] The flange 206 comprises a plurality of ribs 212 that projects from the fender lining surface 204 towards the end of the flange 206.
[0035] In an embodiment, the length of the ribs 212 may be proportional to the width of the portion of the flange 206 on which the ribs 212 are located.
[0036] In an embodiment, the side sill cladding 202 comprises a base surface 214, an end plate 216 and a sill rib 218.
[0037] The end plate 216 is provided at one end of the base surface 214 and is transverse to the base surface 214 such that the end plate 216 extends above and below the base surface 214.
[0038] In an embodiment, the sill rib 218 and the end plate 216 defines a flange

path 502 (shown in FIG. 5) such that the width of the flange path 502 decreases from the sill proximal end 208 to the sill distal end 210.
[0039] In an embodiment, the sill proximal end 208 and the sill distal end 210 are same as that of the flange proximal end 208 to the flange distal end 210.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 along line AA shown in FIG. 2. The fender lining surface 204 defines a through hole 306 between the plurality of ribs 212 configured to allow the passage of a clip 302. The end plate 216 defines a through hole 304 corresponding to the through hole 306 defined by the fender lining surface 204 for the passage of the clip 302. The clip 302 is configured to affix the rear fender lining 200 and the side sill cladding 202.
[0041] Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, disclosed is a method of affixing the rear fender lining 200 and the side sill cladding 202. The rear fender lining 200 is initially attached to the rear wheel house 102 (shown in FIG. 1). The side sill cladding 202 is then moved towards the rear fender lining 200 in the direction 400.
[0042] Specifically referring to FIG. 5, the attachment of the side sill cladding 202 to the rear fender lining 200 is shown in steps a, b, c and d. The flange 206 is configured to be received in the flange path 502 defined by the side sill cladding 202. Since the width of the flange path 502 is wider at the sill proximal end 208 and the width of the flange 206 is narrow at the flange distal end 210, there is no obstruction in the movement of the side sill cladding 202 into the rear fender lining 200. This allows smooth movement of the side sill cladding 202 into the rear fender lining 200. Furthermore, the sill rib 218 guides the insertion of the side sill cladding 202.
[0043] Referring to step d in FIG. 5, the side sill cladding 202 is completely inserted into the rear fender lining 200. The complete insertion of the side sill cladding 202 into the rear fender lining 200 abuts the plurality of ribs 212 against the sill rib 218. The abutment of the ribs 212 against the sill rib 218 provides the

strength required to withstand the deformation in the fitment during the insertion of the clip 302. The clip 302 is inserted to firmly affix the side sill cladding 202 and the rear fender lining 200 with each other.
[0044] In an embodiment, the clip 302 mounting area in the rear fender lining 200 is strengthened by increasing the local part thickness.
[0045] FIGs. 6 and 7 disclose the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 with the side sill cladding 202 attached to the rear fender lining 200.
[0046] With the above disclosed arrangement of the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104, the rear fender lining 200 is completely inside the side sill cladding 202, thereby improving the aesthetics of the automobile.
[0047] FIG. 8 is the sectional view of the rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system 104 along line BB shown in FIG. 7.
[0048] In an embodiment, to ensure proper locking of clip 302, clearance t3 between the ribs and the sill rib is kept 1mm.
[0049] In an embodiment, the sum of first thickness tl, second thickness t2 and the clearance t3 is kept at 5mm, wherein the first thickness tl is the thickness of the side sill cladding 202 and the second thickness t2 is the thickness of the rear fender lining 200 as shown in FIG. 8.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0050] The present disclosure proposes a rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system that provides a simplified arrangement of the side sill cladding with the rear fender lining.
[0051] The present disclosure proposes a method of affixing a rear fender lining and a side sill cladding.
[0052] The present disclosure proposes an improvement in the aesthetics

around the attachment of the side sill cladding to the rear fender lining.
[0053] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0054] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0055] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0056] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[0057] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure 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.
[0058] The term "automobile" and "vehicle" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term "automobile" and "vehicle" is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to, cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.

We claim:

1. A rear fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system (104), the system
(104) comprising:
a rear fender lining (200) defining a fender lining surface (204) and a flange (206) extending from the fender lining surface (204), wherein,
the width of the flange (206) decreases from flange proximal end (208) to flange distal end (210); and
the flange (206) comprises a plurality of ribs (212) projecting from the fender lining surface (204) towards the end of the flange (206); and a side sill cladding (202) comprising, a base surface (214);
an end plate (216) transverse to the base surface (214); and a sill rib (218), wherein the sill rib (218) and the end plate (216) defines a flange path (502) such that the width of the flange path (502) decreases from sill proximal end (208) to sill distal end (210).
2. The fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fender lining surface (204) defines a through hole (306) between the plurality of ribs (212) configured to allow the passage of a clip (302).
3. The fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system (104) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flange (206) of the rear fender lining (200) is configured to be received in the flange path (502) defined by the side sill cladding (202).
4. The fender lining-side sill cladding clamping system (104) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the end plate (216) defines a through hole (304) corresponding to the through hole (306) defined by the fender lining surface (204) for the passage of the clip (302) such that the rear fender lining (200) and the side sill cladding (202) are affixed to each other.

5. A method of affixing a rear fender lining (200) and a side sill cladding (202),
the method comprising:
attaching a rear fender lining (200) to a rear wheel house (102), wherein the
rear fender lining (200) defines a fender lining surface (204) and a flange
(206) extending from the fender lining surface (204), wherein,
the width of the flange (206) decreases from flange proximal end (208) to flange distal end (210); and
the flange (206) comprises a plurality of ribs (212) projecting from the fender lining surface (204) towards the end of the flange (206); and
defining a flange path (502) on a side sill cladding (202) between a sill rib
(218) and an end plate (216), wherein
the side sill cladding (202) comprises a base surface (214), the end plate (216) transverse to the base surface (214) and the sill rib (218); and the width of the flange path (502) decreases from sill proximal end (208) to sill distal end (210); and
moving a side sill cladding (202) towards the rear fender lining (200).
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, defining a through hole (306) on the fender lining surface (204) between the plurality of ribs (212), wherein the through hole (306) is configured to allow the passage of a clip (302).
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, receiving the flange (206) of the rear fender lining (200) in the flange path (502) defined by the side sill cladding (202).
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, defining a through hole (304) in the end plate (216) such that the through hole (304) defined by the end plate (216) corresponds to the through hole (306) defined by the fender lining surface (204), wherein the through hole (304) defined by the end plate (216) is configured to allow the passage of the clip (302) such that the rear fender lining (200) and the side sill cladding (202) are affixed to each other.