GB2281260A

GB2281260A - Adjustable fastening arrangement.

Info

Publication number: GB2281260A
Application number: GB9317981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bevan
Original assignee: Ford Motor Co
Current assignee: Ford Motor Co
Priority date: 1993-08-28
Filing date: 1993-08-28
Publication date: 1995-03-01
Also published as: GB9317981D0

Abstract

The arrangement for fastening a first component, e.g. a motor vehicle body panel 3, to a second component, e.g. a bumper 4 comprises a first channel-shaped member 5 secured to the panel 3, an adjustable member 11 at least partly within the first member 5 and relatively adjustable in a first direction e.g. upwards. Movement in the opposite direction is prevented by the engagement of ratchet teeth on one of the members by at least one tooth on the other member. A projection 12/13 provided on the adjustable member 11 and a second member 18 secured to the bumper 4, are positioned, shaped and dimensioned to be engageable with one another on relative movement in a second direction approximately at right angles to the first direction, whereby movement of the bumper 4 in the second direction can fasten it to the panel 3 and thereafter its position adjusted by upward movement of the bumper relative to the panel. <IMAGE>

Description

Adjustable Fastening Arrangement This invention relates to a fastening arrangement for fastening one component to another in adjustable manner.

The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a fastening arrangement for fastening a motor vehicle bumper on a motor vehicle body in adjustable manner.

In the manufacture of motor vehicles, the speed and accuracy of assembly is all important to achieve high out-put and quality. The ease with which accurate assembly can be achieved is therefore of fundamental concern to the motor industry.

In the particular field of the fastening of motor vehicle bumpers to the bodies of motor vehicles, the positioning and fastening of a bumper to forward and to rearward facing surfaces of the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle, can normally be accomplished accurately with relative ease since fixing holes or locating pins can be accurately pre-positioned on such surfaces. However, bumpers which have so-called side wings which wrap round the corners of the vehicle, present some difficulty in their accurate positioning and fastening to the vehicle body sides. Accordingly, considerable thought has been given to the problem of improving the means of such positioning and fastening to reduce this difficulty.

According to the present invention, there is provided an adjustable fastening arrangement for fastening to a first component, a second component in adjustable manner, which adjustable fastening arrangement comprises a first channelshaped member one side of which is secured to the first component and another side of which has a first elongate opening therein, an adjustable member at least partly within the first member and-movably adjustable relative thereto in a first direction, movement in the opposite direction being prevented through engagement of ratchet teeth provided on one of the first member and the adjustable member by at least one cooperating tooth on the other of said first member and said adjustable member, a projection on said adjustable member and a second member secured to the second component, said projection and said second member being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to be engagable with one another on relative movement in a second direction approximately at right angles to the first direction, such that by movement of the second component in the second direction, the said projection and the said second member can engage with one another to fasten the second component to the first component and thereafter the position of the second member and the adjustable member adjusted relative to the first member by movement of the second component relative to the first component in the first direction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an adjustable fastening arrangement for fastening to a first component, a second component in adjustable manner, which adjustable fastening arrangement comprises a first channel-shaped member one side of which is secured to the first component and another side of which has a first elongate opening therein, an adjustable member at least partly within the first member and movably adjustable relative thereto in a first direction, movement in the opposite direction being prevented through engagement of ratchet teeth provided on one of the first member and the adjustable member by at least one cooperating tooth on the other of said first member and said adjustable member, a mushroom-shaped projection, having a stem portion and a head portion, on said adjustable member and positioned and dimensioned such that the head portion and at least a part of the stem portion extend beyond the first opening to be external of the first member, a second channel-shaped member one side of which is secured to the second component and another side of which has a second elongate opening therein, said second opening having a width larger than the width of the stem portion but smaller than the width of the head portion and a length extending to a free edge of the second member in a second direction approximately at right angles to the first direction and such that, by movement of the second component in the second direction, the projection can engage with the second member so that the stem portion can be passed along the second opening with the head portion passing within the second member to fasten the second component to the first component and thereafter the position of the second member and the adjustable member adjusted relative to the first member by movement of the second component relative to the first component in the first direction.

The first component is preferably a panel of a motor vehicle body, especially a side panel.

The second component is preferably a side wing of a motor vehicle bumper.

The first channel-shaped member preferably has an elongate opening comprising an open side flanked by upstanding walls having inwardly turned edges, and preferably has also a substantially flat base.

While the first member may be secured to the first component by being integrally formed therewith, it is preferably adapted for being secured by its base to the first component by welding, rivetting, bolting or by other known means, thereby rendering it versatile in its application. In this connection, the base is preferably provided with lateral extensions whereby access to the inside of the first channel-shaped member is not required in order to secure this first member to the first component.

The first member is preferably provided with a set of ratchet teeth, each tooth extending laterally at rightangles to the first direction, such teeth preferably being provided on the undersides of the preferred inwardly turned edges flanking an open side of the first member.

The adjustable member at least partly within the first member preferably comprises a plate, particularly a substantially rectangular plate, having dimensions such that it is movably adjustable within the first channelshaped member in the first direction. It is especially preferred, however, that the adjustable member is provided with a shoulder which extends freely through and beyond the opening in the first member. It is also preferred that the adjustable member is provided with at least one set of ratchet teeth to cooperate with teeth of the first member to prevent movement of the adjustable member in the direction opposite to the first direction. Orientation of the first member is preferably such that the first direction is upwards.

One or more springs or other resilient means such as one or more rubber pads, are preferably housed in the first member between the first member and the adjustable member to urge one or more teeth of the adjustable member into engagement with one or more teeth of the first member. Alternatively or additionally, the first member and/or the adjustable member, may be provided with a cam surface, or with cam surfaces, to cause the toothed surfaces to be urged towards one another. This latter expedient has particular practicality if the first member and /or the adjustable member is made from a plastics material, especially a toughened plastics material such as a rubber toughened polystyrene, or a polycarbonate material for example. If such a cam surface or cam surfaces are employed in a first member that has an elongate opening comprising an open-side flanked by upstanding walls having inwardly turned edges, it is preferred that the upstanding walls are apertured to give the inwardly turned edges increased flexibility. Such apertured walls can also assist in the moulding of teeth on the underside of the inwardly turned edges by providing access for moulding tool components.

The tooth or teeth on at least one of the first member and the adjustable member, is/are preferably of a material which is sufficiently flexible to permit them to distort to assist relative movement of teeth over one another on movement of the adjustable member in the first direction. In some cases this may obviate any need to provide a means of easing the pressure therebetween.

The first member is preferably provided with a stop to limit the amount of movement of the adjustable member relative to the first member in the first direction. Such stop may be positioned to act upon the adjustable member directly or act upon a surface on the second component, for example.

Alternatively, such relative movement may be limited by surfaces on the first and second components coming into abutting relationship.

With reference to the preferred embodiment, the mushroomshaped projection on the adjustable member may be any projection having stem and head portions and may comprise a rivet or bolt, for example, fixed to the adjustable member by welding or otherwise securing its stem thereto. The length of the stem portion of the mushroom-shaped projection is preferably such that the head portion of the projection will slide in tight manner under the edges of the second member adjacent the second elongate opening. In order that the second member can be engaged with the stem portion of the projection without the second member directly frictionally engaging the first member, it is preferred that the mushroom-shaped projection is mounted on a shoulder provided on the adjustable member and which shoulder extends through and beyond the opening in the first member.

The second channel-shaped member of the preferred embodiment preferably has an open side which is closed off by the second component on being secured thereto, preferably through flanges which may be provided on the second member for this purpose.

The second member may be secured to the second component by welding, rivetting, bolting, or by any other known means.

Indeed, the second member may be integrally formed with the second component, particularly if the second component is moulded from a plastics material, for example.

In the preferred embodiment,it is preferred that a side of the second member opposite that which is secured to the second component is provided with the second elongate opening. It is preferred also that, while the opening has a length extending to a free edge of the second member, the other end of the opening is closed by terminating before the opposite edge, for example.

The direction of extent of the opening in the second member of the preferred embodiment preferably lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the adjustable member is movable.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the second channel-shaped member of the preferred embodiment should be such as to permit the head portion of the mushroom-shaped projection to pass within it when the stem portion is passed at least part-way along the second elongate opening.

The adjustable fastening arrangement of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sketch of an adjustable fastener of this invention being used for adjustably fastening a bumper ( drawn in transparent out-line to aid description ) of a motor vehicle to a motor vehicle body. The fastener is shown to include the optional stop.

Figure 2 is a drawing showing an isometric view of the first channel-shaped member ( in transparent out-line ) and the adjustable member, as shown in Figure 1, but separated from one another and with the optional stop omitted.

Figure 3 is a drawing ( in transparent out-line showing a front elevational view of the first channel-shaped member and the adjustable member shown in Figure 2, in the assembled condition but showing also the position of the optional stop shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a drawing ( in transparent out-line showing a side elevational view of the assembly shown in Figure 3 but with the stop omitted.

Figure 5 is a drawing ( in transparent out-line showing a plan view of the assembly shown in Figure 4.

In the drawings, in which like parts are correspondingly numbered, Figure 1 shows a section of a car body indicated generally by 1 and including a front panel 2 and integral side panel 3 and to which the bumper 4 is to be fastened.

The side panel 3 has secured to it the first channel-shaped member, indicated generally by 5, by rivets 6 and 7 passing through the lateral extensions 8 and 9 of the base 10 of the channel member 5. Within channel member 5, adjustable plate 11 is held in a manner described below with particular reference to Figure 2. The plate 11 has a shoulder 17 which is dimensioned to extend freely through and beyond the opening 14 in the member 5. On the shoulder 17 of the plate 11 is a mushroom-shaped projection having a stem portion 12 and a head portion 13. To the top of lateral extension 6 is shown an optional stop 15 positioned for acting upon the top flange 16 of the bumper 4 to determine the limit of adjustment of the plate 11 in the upward direction within the member 5. The channel member 5 is moulded with the integral lateral extensions 8 and 9 and the optional stop 15 from polycarbonate material. The plate 11 is of cast aluminium and the projection comprising stem portion 12 and head portion 13 is separately cast from aluminium and with which is integrally moulded shoulder 17 for plate 11, and which is incorporated in a disc-like boss for expansion fit into a purpose moulded circular recess in the plate 11, as best seen in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 1 shows also second channel-shaped member indicated generally by 18, secured to the rear surface of the side wing of the bumper 4. The bumper 4 is a moulding produced from polycarbonate material. The member 18, which is also moulded from polycarbonate material, has the side 19 spaced from the rear surface of the side wing 4 by spacer walls 20 which have the flanges 21 by means of which the member 18 is secured to the side wing by adhesive bonding. The side 19 of the member 18 has the elongate opening 22 extending from a rearward edge to a point about three quarters of the length of the member 18.

Figure 2 shows in detail the first channel-shaped member 5 and the adjustable plate 11 having the shoulder 17 with the mushroom-shaped projection thereon as illustrated in Figure 1 but in Figure 2 the optional stop 15 is omitted. Figures 3, 4 and 5 show respectively a front elevation, side elevation and plan view of the assembled first channelshaped member 5 and the adjustable member 11 with the projection thereon shown in Figure 2. However, Figure 3 shows the position of the optional stop 15 included in Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 2; it will be seen that the first channel-shaped member 5 has an elongate opening 14 in the side opposite to base 10. The opening 14 is flanked on each side by the inwardly turned edges 23 and 24 on the undersides of which is a set of ratchet teeth 25 moulded integrally with the member 5. The teeth of the set 25 have a width extending the width of the underside of the edges 23 and 24 respectively and are closely spaced along the length of the edges 23 and 24. Each tooth of the set 25 has a profile whereby the teeth point in a direction above the horizontal, that is to say, upwards.

As will also be seen from Figure 2; plate 11 has cast onto its front surface, spaced sets of ratchet teeth 26, the teeth of which are transversely aligned and, within each set, have a pitch corresponding to that of the teeth of the set of ratchet teeth 25 but each tooth having a profile pointing in a direction below the horizontal, that is to say downwards. In this way, teeth of the set 25 and teeth of the sets 26 can positively engage in ratchet fashion to lock the plate 11 against downward movement relative to member 5 but to favour the movement of plate 11 upwards relative to member 5. The spaces between the sets 26 are such as to reduce the contact area between the plate 11 and the member 5 so that the vertical force required to adjust the plate 11 upwards relative to member 5 is within reasonable limits.

As will be seen from Figure 2 in particular, the side walls 28 of the channel-shaped member 5 and which support the inwardly turned edges 23 and 24, are apertured. This affords a greater degree of freedom for the edges 23 and 24 to flex. This is in addition to assisting in the moulding of the set of teeth 25 by providing moulding tool access.

As will also be seen from Figure 2 in particular, beneath each of the inwardly turned edges 23 and 24 and moulded on the inside surface of the base 10 of the member 5, are longitudinal cam surfaces 27 for engaging the rear side of plate 11 to thereby urge teeth of the sets of teeth 25 and 26 into engagement. These cam surfaces 27, being moulded from polycarbonate material, have a degree of inherent resilience.

The fastening of the bumper 4 to the car body 1 is achieved in the following manner. The bumper 4, fitted with spacer sleeves 29 on its rear side front, is offered up to the vehicle front panel 2 aligning the sleeves 29 with the fixing holes 28 and aligning also the opening 22 in the channel-shaped member 18 with the stem portion 12 of the projection on the adjustable member 11, the latter having being assembled with the member 5 in a low position relative thereto. In this low position, at least some of the teeth of the sets 26 are in engagement with at least some of the teeth of the set 25. As the bumper 4 is moved rearwards towards the panel 2, the opening 22 is engaged by the stem portion 12 and the head portion 13 slides along the inside of member 18, the member 18 being kept spaced from the member 5 by the shoulder 17 of the plate 11. The moulded profile of the bumper 4 is such as to require the side wing to be resiliently stressed to facilitate the engagement of the opening 22 by the stem portion 12 and such stress thereafter maintains the member 18 in firm contact with the underside of the head portion 13. Fixing screws are then inserted through the bumper 4 and spacer sleeves 29 and tightened in the fixing holes 28. The side wing of the bumper 4, in the meantime, is supported by the engagement of the stem portion 12 in the opening 22. It will be appreciated that regions of the member 18 bordering the opening 22 are located between the head portion 13 and the shoulder 17 of the plate 11 and are held against the underside of the head portion 13 by the energy stored in the stressed bumper 4. The position of the side wing of the bumper 4 in relation to the side panel 3 is then adjusted by moving the side wing of the bumper 4 upwards to thereby cause the plate 11 to move up in ratchet fashion as permitted by adequate flexing of the plastic components including the cams 27, the inwardly turned edges 23 and 24, and the teeth of set 25. If the optional stop 15 is incorporated as illustrated as an option in Figure 1 and Figure 3; when the top flange 16 of the bumper 4 reaches the stop 15, no further adjustment is possible and the correct position of the side wing of the bumper is thus determined by this simple operation. If the optional stop 15 is not incorporated, then clearly the maximum adjustment may be controlled by the top flange 16 abutting the vehicle body overhanging the side panel 3.

It will be seen that the initial positioning, fixing and adjustment for accurate positioning of the bumper including side wings is simplified by use of the adjustable fastener of this invention. After the initial securing of the first and second members to the vehicle body and bumper side wing respectively, no tools are necessary to fasten the side wing in position accurately. Further, since maximum adjustment can be controlled, accurate final positioning is not dependent on the operators eye, for example.

Claims

Claims.

1. An adjustable fastening arrangement for fastening to a first component, a second component in adjustable manner, which adjustable fastening arrangement comprises a first channel-shaped member one side of which is secured to the first component and another side of which has a first elongate opening therein, an adjustable member at least partly within the first member and movably adjustable relative thereto in a first direction, movement in the opposite direction being prevented through engagement of ratchet teeth provided on one of the first member and the adjustable member by at least one cooperating tooth on the other of said first member and said adjustable member, a projection on said adjustable member and a second member secured to the second component, said projection and said second member being positioned, shaped and dimensioned to be engagable with one another on relative movement in a second direction approximately at right angles to the first direction, such that by movement of the second component in the second direction the said projection and said second member can engage with one another to fasten the second component to the first component and thereafter the position of the second member and the adjustable member adjusted relative to the first member by movement of the second component relative to the first component in the first direction.

2. An adjustable fastening arrangement for fastening to a first component a second component in adjustable manner, which adjustable fastening arrangement comprises a first channel-shaped member one side of which is secured to the first component and another side of which has a first elongate opening therein, an adjustable member at least partly within the first member and movably adjustable relative thereto in a first direction, movement in the opposite direction being prevented through engagement of ratchet teeth provided on one of the first member and the adjustable member by at least one cooperating tooth on the other of said first member and said adjustable member, a mushroom-shaped projection, having a stem portion and a head portion, on said adjustable member and positioned and dimensioned such that the head portion and at least a part of the stem portion extend beyond the first opening to be external of the first member, a second channel-shaped member one side of which is secured to the second component and another side of which has a second elongate opening therein, said second opening having a width larger than the width of the stem portion but smaller than the width of the head portion and a length extending to a free edge of the second member in a second direction approximately at right angles to the first direction and such that, by movement of the second component in the second direction, the projection can engage with the second member so that the stem portion can be passed along the second opening with the head portion passing within the second member to fasten the second component to the first component and thereafter the position of the second member and the adjustable member adjusted relative to the first member by movement of the second component relative to the first component in the first direction.

3. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in either of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the first channel-shaped member has an elongate opening comprising an open side flanked by up-standing walls having inwardly turned edges.

4. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member is provided with a set of ratchet teeth.

5. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable member comprises a substantially rectangular plate having dimensions such that it is movably adjustable within the first member in the first direction.

6. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable member is provided with a shoulder which extends freely through and beyond the opening in the first member.

7. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustable member is provided with at least one set of ratchet teeth to cooperate with teeth on the first member to prevent movement of the adjustable member in the direction opposite to the first direction.

8. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first direction is upwards.

9. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more teeth of the adjustable member is urged into engagement with one or more teeth of the first member by resilient means between the first member and the adjustable member.

10. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member and/or the adjustable member is provided with a cam surface or cam surfaces to cause toothed surfaces of the first member and of the adjustable member to be urged towards one another.

11. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the cam surface or cam surfaces are provided on the first member and wherein the first member has an elongate opening comprising an open side flanked by upstanding walls which are apertured and have inwardly turned edges.

12. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tooth or teeth on at least one of the first member and the adjustable member is/are of a material sufficiently flexible to assist relative movement of the teeth over one another when the adjustable member is moved in the first direction.

13. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member is provided with a stop to limit the amount of movement of the adjustable member relative to the first member in the first direction.

14. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 13 wherein the length of the stem portion is such that the head portion will slide in tight manner under the edges of the second member adjacent the second elongate opening.

15. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 14 wherein the direction of extent of the opening in the second member lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the adjustable member is movably adjustable.

16. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first component is a side panel of a motor vehicle body.

17. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second component is a side wing of a motor vehicle bumper.

18. An adjustable fastening arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. An adjustable fastening arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims used to fasten to a first component, a second component and thereafter adjusted by movement of the second component in the first direction.