TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a compensating nut, which is used for mounting components on the bodywork of a vehicle, for example on the roof of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Motor vehicles usually comprise, on the roof, rails for mounting luggage carriers. To mount these rails on the vehicle bodywork, it is necessary to use compensating nuts, for adjusting the distance between the bodywork and the rail and for absorbing the stresses and loads to which they are subjected.

[0003] Conventionally, the compensating nuts of the prior art comprise an exterior sleeve and an interior sleeve which comprise, respectively, an interior thread and an exterior thread which are complementary, such that their relative position can be adjusted, depending on the distance between the bodywork and the rail.

[0004] To mount the compensating nut, a tool is inserted in the interior sleeve so that the compensating nut can be inserted in an opening in the roof so as to position and subsequently fit it.

[0005] Such known compensating nuts have the disadvantage that they are not easy to position, because the operator, mounting the compensating nut from inside the vehicle, cannot see very well. Moreover, if not positioned correctly, the roof of the vehicle may become deformed during use thereof.

[0006] Another disadvantage is that the interior and exterior sleeves are made of metal and are therefore heavy and expensive. Furthermore, owing to the cutting through the openings in the roof from the outside, burrs may be created in the upper part, such that the interior surface of the vehicle may not be completely flat, making it more difficult to compensate for the distance. [0007] Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a compensating nut that can be mounted more easily and reliably and that is also lighter and less expensive than conventional compensating nuts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The disadvantages mentioned can be overcome with the compensating nut of the invention, which also has other advantages which will be described below.

[0009] The compensating nut according to the present invention comprises an exterior sleeve provided with an interior thread, an interior sleeve provided with an exterior thread, the interior and exterior sleeves being coupled together by means of their threads in order to move the interior and exterior sleeves relative to one another, and a washer, wherein the compensating nut also comprises a centering body placed on said interior sleeve.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, said centering body comprises at least one tab that extends from the edge thereof in a direction parallel to the central axis of the centering body. Furthermore, the or each tab comprises an elastic arm that is likewise parallel to the central axis of the centering body.

[0011] Advantageously, said interior sleeve comprises a flange provided with notches, said notches complementing said at least one tab.

[0012] Furthermore, said centering body advantageously comprises a seat portion for said washer, and said washer comprises a plurality of lugs for the coupling of the washer to the interior sleeve, in which said plurality of lugs are coupled to the notches of the interior sleeve.

[0013] To facilitate mounting, the exterior sleeve comprises a cavity for positioning a tool, thus allowing rotation of the exterior sleeve. To position said tool, the interior sleeve comprises a central through-bore.

[0014] To prevent it from moving prior to use of the compensating nut according to the present invention, the exterior sleeve is connected to the interior sleeve by means of a fastening point prior to mounting of the compensating nut. [0015] To make the compensating nut according to the present invention lighter and less expensive than conventional compensating nuts, the exterior sleeve, the interior sleeve and the centering body are preferably made from a strip of metallic material, for example a stamped strip of metallic material which is heat treated.

[0016] As stated above, the present invention provides a compensating nut which can be mounted more easily and reliably, adapting better to surfaces which are not completely flat or surfaces with burrs.

[0017] Furthermore, the exterior sleeve, interior sleeve and the centering body are preferably made from heat treated metallic material. In comparison with other

commercially available products that are made from machined solid metal, this design can be stamped/shaped from a thin metallic strip. The reduced thickness means that the end product is lighter while the heat treatment provides the required strength.

[0018] Other technical advantages afforded by the compensating nut according to the present invention are as follows:

[0019] The metallic parts made from stamped and tempered metallic strip mean that the parts made from metallic strip have a lower weight (compared to machined metal parts).

[0020] The exterior sleeve is such that the base of the exterior sleeve opens in a cone and is at a distance from the area where there may be residues of molten material which have fallen during the laser cutting of the top sheet of the roof.

[0021] The double-start thread between the sleeves means that less force has to be applied (than with a single-start thread) on the sheet of the roof, thereby reducing the risk of deformation of the roof during fitting.

[0022] It can also withstand a greater load (than a single-start thread) and therefore, for a given load, it requires a smaller thread overlap and can compensate for a greater range of housings.

[0023] The plastic washer means that the area of contact between the washer and the roof is smaller, minimizing the effect of the curve of the roof during fitting. This area of contact is also further from the burrs created by the laser cutting of the roof. [0024] Furthermore, the top of the washer has a constant section, meaning that it has uniform behavior all around the periphery during fitting.

[0025] Moreover, the washer is not flexible (unlike other existing washers). The roof is supported on the washer, and the washer on the centering body, firmly, with a constant distance between the top of the centering body and the roof, which is a critical parameter for correct mounting of the roof rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] For a better understanding of the above, drawings are provided which show, schematically and merely by way of non-limiting example, a practical embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the compensating nut according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is an elevation of the compensating nut according to the present invention in the supply position;

[0029] Figure 3 is an elevation of the compensating nut according to the present invention in the mounting position; and

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view in longitudinal section of the compensating nut and the tool according to the present invention in the supply position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] As shown in the figures, the compensating nut according to the present invention comprises the following components, described from bottom to top in the position of use.

[0032] The compensating nut according to the present invention comprises an exterior sleeve 1 which comprises an interior thread 11, defining a through-bore, and a cavity 12 in the side wall thereof. This cavity is for positioning a tool for mounting the compensating nut, as will be described below. [0033] This exterior sleeve 1 is coupled to an interior sleeve 2, which comprises an exterior thread 21, such that said threads 11, 21 of the exterior 1 and interior 2 sleeves couple together, so that said exterior 1 and interior 2 sleeves may be moved relative to one another.

[0034] To prevent them moving accidentally before mounting, the exterior sleeve 1 and the interior sleeve 2 are connected to one another by means of a fastening point 5, for example, by means of a drop of adhesive material, such as silicone. The way in which this works will be described in detail below.

[0035] The interior sleeve 2 also comprises a flange 22, arranged in the upper peripheral part thereof in the position of use thereof, said flange 22 being provided with notches 23. Furthermore, the interior sleeve 2 also comprises a through-bore 24 for positioning a tool, as will be described below.

[0036] The compensating nut according to the present invention further comprises a centering body 4, which is positioned on the interior sleeve 2. Said centering body 4 comprises a plurality of tabs 41, which extend vertically downward, in the position of use, i.e. parallel to the central axis of the centering body 4. Each of said tabs 41 further comprises an elastic arm 42, as can be seen in the figures.

[0037] The tabs 41 are for fixing the position of the centering body 4 relative to the interior sleeve 2, since said tabs 41 are positioned in the notches 23 of the interior sleeve 2.

[0038] The compensating nut according to the present invention further comprises a washer 3, for compensating for the differences in height or thickness of the components in which the compensating nut is mounted. Said washer 3 is positioned on a seat portion 43 of the centering body 4.

[0039] Furthermore, said washer 3 comprises a plurality of lugs 31 which are coupled to the notches 23 of the interior sleeve 2, securing the washer 3 to the interior sleeve 2.

[0040] Preferably, the exterior sleeve 1, the interior sleeve 2 and the centering body 4 are made from metallic material, for example metallic material which is heat treated so as to simultaneously give it the required properties of elasticity and strength. [0041] The operation of mounting the compensating nut according to the present invention is as follows.

[0042] First, note that the compensating nut is designed specifically for mounting roof rails of vehicles, although it could be used for any other suitable purpose for mounting other types of components of vehicles.

[0043] The compensating nut is supplied to the user in the position shown in figure 2. In this position, the interior sleeve 2 is positioned inside the exterior sleeve 1 in the lowest position thereof, i.e. with their threads 11, 21 fully coupled together.

[0044] To prevent any accidental movement between the exterior 1 and interior 2 sleeves, the fastening point 5 prevents such movement.

[0045] When the operator wishes to mount the compensating nut, first, the operator inserts the stem 6 of a tool (shown in figure 4) in the through-bore 24 of the interior sleeve 2 and, in turn, an accessory 7 of the tool (also shown in figure 4) is received inside the cavity 12.

[0046] In this position, the operator inserts the compensating nut in the desired position of mounting, for example, in an opening in the roof of a vehicle. When it is placed in the desired position, the operator rotates the tool.

[0047] This rotation turns the interior sleeve 2 relative to the exterior sleeve 1, breaking the fastening point 5, which is sufficiently strong to prevent movement but sufficiently weak to break when so desired, and placing the interior sleeve 2 in the position shown in figure 3.

[0048] This rotation of the tool also causes the interior sleeve 2 to rotate into the mounting position thereof.

[0049] Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the compensating nut described may be subjected to many variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned may be substituted by other technically equivalent details, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.