[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to trim panel structures, and, more particularly, to a modified trim structure for pillars of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 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.
[0003] Interior trims are employed as interior components on motor vehicles. One of the purposes of such interior trims is to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance and to cover the sheet metal panel in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. These trims are typically mounted to structural support members of the motor vehicle. For example, trims are mounted to a side body panel (sheet metal part) of the motor vehicle.
[0004] For mounting the trim on the side body panel, trim door opening (TDO) formed of rubber-like material is employed to cover the welding flange of the side body panel as well as for sealing purpose. However, at the corners of the side body panel, TDO has the tendency to come out or to get easily removed due to stress development by the bending. In the summer season, this undesirable situation of bending becomes more prevalent as the TDO becomes soft leaving the side body panel edge exposed. The exposed side body panel edge gives poor appearance and also may injure the passengers sitting inside the vehicle.
[0005] Therefore, to prevent poor appearance and any injury to the passenger, the TDO should not detach from its position. One approach so as to maintain the TDO at its position is by increasing the retention force of the TDO. However, increasing the retention force of the TDO leads to an increase in the insertion

force for the TDO which results in hard assembly of the TDO. Therefore, there is an optimum value of the retention force for the TDO up to which the retention force can be increased and hence is not an appropriate solution to prevent the TDO from slipping from its intended position.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need to provide another solution to the issues related to the maintenance of the TDO at its intended position.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0008] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a modified trim structure for different pillars of a vehicle to prevent easy unlocking of the trim structure from the trim door opening (TDO).
[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to modify the trim structure for increasing the retention force of the TDO.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a trim structure for pillars of a vehicle to prevent trim door opening (TDO) slippage. 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 trim structures for pillars of a vehicle. The trim structure is provided with protrusion integrally formed on edge of an external surface of a trim flange, wherein the protrusion is extending away from

the external surface of the trim flange so as to lock the trim structure with fastening portions of the trim door opening (TDO).
[0013] In an aspect, the protrusion is formed from a rigid material including one of aluminum, a hard plastic, a cast iron, and an engineering resin.
[0014] In an advantageous effect of the present invention, the use of auxiliary fasteners such as screws, clips, or the like is not needed to retain the TDO at its position.
[0015] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary desired condition of a trim door opening (TDO) with conventional trim structure;
[0018] FIG. IB illustrates an exemplary undesired condition of the TDO with conventional trim structure;
[0019] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a conventional trim structure for pillars of a vehicle;
[0020] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-section view of the conventional trim structure shown in FIG. 2A;
[0021] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a trim structure for pillars of a vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0022] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-section view of the trim structure shown in FIG. 3A.
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" 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] 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
5 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.
[0028] In automobile vehicles, a trim door opening (TDO) 102 fixes a
conventional trim structure 104 for pillars of a vehicle at corners of a side body
10 panel 106. An exemplary desired condition of the TDO 102 with the conventional
trim structure 104 is shown in FIG. 1A.
[0029] However, the TDO 102 has the tendency to come out or to get easily
removed due to stress development by the bending, specifically in the summer
season when the TDO 102 becomes soft and leaves the side body panel 106
15 exposed. Such undesired condition of the TDO 102 with conventional trim
structure 104 is shown in FIG. 1B. The exposed side body panel 106 may injure the passengers using the vehicle.
[0030] Therefore, there is a need to prevent the TDO 102 from detaching from
its position and to maintain the TDO 102 at its position so as to facilitate smooth
20 functioning of the door and windows of the vehicle. When the TDO 102 leaves its
position, it not only hinders the functioning of the door and window but may also cause injury to the passengers using the vehicle.
[0031] As mentioned above, currently, no appropriate solution is available to
modify the TDO 102 from slipping from its intended position. Accordingly,
25 structure of either the side body panel 106 or the conventional trim structure 104
is to be modified to retain the TDO 102 at its position. The modification of the side body panel 106 involves high costing, and accordingly, the modification to the conventional trim structure 104 is proposed herein.
[0032] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the conventional
30 trim structure 104 (without the TDO 102) for pillars of a vehicle. FIG. 2B
illustrates a cross-section view A-A of the conventional trim structure 104, shown
6

in FIG. 2A, along with the TDO 102. The cross-section A-A of the TDO 102 is of
U-shape. The inner lining of the TDO 102 consists of fastening portions 202
which are used to hold together the conventional trim structure 104 and the side
body panel 106. However, due to stress development over a period of time, these
5 fastening portions 202 of the TDO 102 loses the capacity to hold the conventional
trim structure 104 at its position leading to detaching of the TDO 102.
[0033] To resolve the issues of the slipping of the TDO 102 from the
conventional trim structure 104, an improved trim structure 302 for pillars of a vehicle is proposed in accordance with the present disclosure. The proposed trim
10 structure, without the TDO 102, is shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-
section view A-A of the trim structure, shown in FIG. 3A, along with the TDO 102. The proposed trim structure 302 for the pillars of the vehicle includes protrusion 304 integrally formed on edge of an external surface of a trim flange. The protrusion 304 is extending away from the external surface of the trim flange
15 so as to lock the trim structure 302 with the fastening portions 202 of the TDO
102. Further, the protrusion 304 has two faces: a curved face and a vertical face. The curved face is provided near the edge of the trim flange and the vertical face is provided away from the edge of the trim flange. The curved face allows the TDO 102 to get inserted in the trim structure 302 and the vertical face restricts the
20 TDO 102 from coming out of the trim structure 302 after assembly.
[0034] Further, in an aspect, the protrusion 304 is provided at corner region of
side body panel 106. In said aspect, the protrusion 304 is elongated in shape.
[0035] In an aspect, the protrusion 304 is formed from a rigid material
including one of aluminum, a hard plastic, a cast iron, and an engineering resin.
25 [0036] Thus, with the improved trim structure 302 proposed herein, the TDO
102 is able to maintain its position with the trim structure 302 and the side body panel 106 is not exposed, even during the summer season when the TDO 102 becomes soft.
[0037] Further, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able
30 to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown
herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its scope.
7

[0038] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended
expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding
the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to
furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such
5 specifically recited examples and conditions. Also, the various embodiments
described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
[0039] The above description does not provide specific details of the
manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are
10 familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out,
techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0040] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
15 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
20 those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure
as encompassed by the following claims.
[0041] 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,
25 including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for
example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0042] 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
30 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
8

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.

We claim:

A trim structure (302) for pillars of a vehicle, the trim structure (302)
comprising:
a protrusion (304) integrally formed on edge of an external surface of a trim flange,
wherein the protrusion (304) is extending away from the external surface of the trim flange so as to lock the trim structure (302) with fastening portions (202) of a trim door opening (102).
The trim structure (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion (304) has two faces: a curved face and a vertical face.
The trim structure (302) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the curved face is provided near the edge of the trim flange and the vertical face is provided away from the edge of the trim flange.
The trim structure (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion (304) is provided at corner region of side body panel (106).
The trim structure (302) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the protrusion (304) is elongated in shape.
The trim structure (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion (304) is formed from a rigid material including one of aluminum, a hard plastic, a cast iron, and an engineering resin.