RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/183,235 entitled "Fastening Clip Assembly," filed June 23, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to fastening clip assemblies that are configured to securely couple components together.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various assemblies include panels or objects connected to one another. Automobile assemblies, for example, include various panels, structures, and other such components connected to other panels, structures, or other such components. Snap-fit fasteners may be used to connect certain pieces of an automobile assembly together. Additionally, a fastener may be preassembled with one of the components, while the other component is connected to the preassembly during final assembly. A plurality of the fasteners may be used when connecting relatively large components together. Such fasteners have been provided in a variety of shapes and configurations suitable for the particular components to be connected.

[0004] One type of fastener used to connect components together is a symmetrical connector having an insertion portion with a W-shape. W-shape fasteners provide quick and easy assembly. Additionally, the W-shape fasteners securely retain moldings of structural panels, while also being relatively easy to remove.

[0005] Another type of known fastener includes opposed securing members that axially collapse as the fastener is inserted into an opening of a panel. The axial collapsing of the opposed securing members allows the opposed securing members to pass through the opening. [0006] Known fastener assemblies are described in United States Patent Nos. 6,305,055, entitled "Fastener Provided with a Snapping-in Foot to be Pushed in Through a Hole in a Panel," 6,796,006, entitled "Rib Clip," 6,974,292, entitled "One- Piece Reusable Plastic Fastener," 7,328,489, entitled "Fastener for Fixing a Panel to a Support and Provided with a head Comprising a Deformable Member," and 8,613,128, entitled "Push-In Fastener Assembly." A known fastener is also described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0099051, entitled "Sealing Fastener."

[0007] One type of known fastener is inserted into a hole of a component (such as a panel), and makes contact with the component at two points proximate to an internal edge of the component that defines the hole. As such, an axis is formed in relation to the two points of contact. The fastener may pivot or rotate about the axis. Accordingly, the fastener may be unstable when attached to the hole. For example, the fastener may shift in position about the axis between the two points of contact. Further, the fastener may not be uniformly secured around the hole.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] A need exists for a fastening clip assembly that securely and stably couples to a component within a hole. A need exists for a fastening clip assembly that is uniformly secured around the hole of the component.

[0009] With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fastening clip assembly that is configured to securely couple a first component to a second component. The fastening clip assembly may include a first lobe including a first retainer, a second lobe include a second retainer, a first stabilizer including a third retainer, and a second stabilizer including a fourth retainer. The retainers are configured to abut into one or more surfaces of the first or second component that surround a hole to provide a stable connection between the fastening clip assembly and the first or second component.

[0010] The retainers may be regularly spaced with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the fastening clip assembly. [0011] The fastening clip assembly may include at least one sealing member that is configured to sealingly engage one or both of the first and second components.

[0012] Each of the first and second retainers may include an exposed ledge.

[0013] The fastening clip assembly may include a central hub and a distal nose. Each of the first and second stabilizers may include a fin extending between the central hub and the distal nose. The first and second retainers may extend radially outward from a respective one of the fins. The first and second retainers may be curved.

[0014] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fastening clip assembly that is configured to securely couple a first component to a second component. The fastening clip assembly may include at least one first lobe including a first retainer, and at least one stabilizer including a second retainer. The first retainer and the second retainer may be configured to abut into one or more surfaces of the first or second component that surround a hole to provide a stable connection between the fastening clip assembly and the first or second component.

[0015] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a securing system that may include a first component, a second component including a hole, and fastening clip assembly that securely couples the first and second components together. The fastening clip assembly may include a head connected to a collar through a neck. At least a portion of the first component is secured between the head and the collar. The fastening clip assembly may also include a first lobe including a first retainer, a second lobe include a second retainer, a first stabilizer including a third retainer, and a second stabilizer including a fourth retainer. The retainers are configured to abut into one or more surfaces of the second component that surround the hole to provide a stable connection between the fastening clip assembly and the second component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective lateral view of a fastening clip assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective bottom rear view of a fastening clip assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective bottom front view of a fastening clip assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a fastening clip assembly secured to a component, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 5 illustrates a bottom of a fastening clip assembly secured to a component, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fastening clip assembly that is configured to securely and stably couple to a component (such as a panel) within a hole of the component. A neck of the fastening clip assembly may be pushed into a receiving section of a doghouse-style feature of the component. A head and collar of the fastening clip assembly may sandwich opposite sides of the doghouse, for example. Once secured to the panel or component, the fastening clip assembly may be shipped as a part-in-assembly. [0023] The panel/component and fastening clip assembly may be assembled to a system (such as a vehicle) or another component by pushing a main body of the fastening clip assembly through a round hole of the other component. Retention features inwardly collapse to fit through the hole. When fully installed, the retention features outwardly flex back to at-rest positions against a surface of the component.

[0024] To remove the panel from the system, the installation procedure may be reversed. During removal, the retention features inwardly collapse as they move through the hole. Once removed, the retention features reset, and are ready for subsequent use.

[0025] The fastening clip assembly provides four points of contact around a hole of a component (in contrast to the unstable two points of contact of the known fastener). The additional points of contact double the number of contact points without adding additional lobes. As such, the fastening clip assembly may include two lobes and four retainers (or retention features) that are configured to contact a portion of a component (such as a panel) around a hole. The four points of contact uniformly retain the fastening clip assembly around a perimeter of a hole of a panel. The uniform retention provides the fastening clip assembly with the ability to resist being rocked off axis within the hole, and evens out retention performance to loads from different directions. The uniform retention also improves the sealing performance of a seal (such as a collar, flange, or umbrella), whether overmolded or integrally formed and molded with the fastening clip assembly.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective lateral view of a fastening clip assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective bottom rear view of the fastening clip assembly 100. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective bottom front view of the fastening clip assembly 100. Referring to Figures

1-3, the fastening clip assembly 100 may be integrally molded and formed through injection molding, for example. Optionally, the fastening clip assembly 100 may be formed through various other methods, such as stamping, folding, and/or the like. [0027] The fastening clip assembly 100 may include a connecting portion or connector 101 coupled to a main body 150. The connector portion or connector

101 is configured to securely connect to a first component, while the main body 150 is configured to secure connect to a second component that is separate and distinct from the first component. The connecting portion 101 may include a circumferential head

102 that connects to a neck 104, which in turn connects to a collar 106. As shown, the head 102, the neck 104, and the collar 106 may be coaxial with a central longitudinal axis 108 of the fastening clip assembly 100. The head 102 may have a diameter that exceeds that of the neck 104. The collar 106 may have a diameter than exceeds that of the head 102.

[0028] A sealing member 110 extends below the collar 106. The sealing member 110 may be an umbrella seal having a circumferential flange 112 that radially and downwardly extends from a central hub 114, which may connect to, and/or be part of, the collar 106. The sealing member 110 is configured to sealingly engage a surface of one or more components. Optionally, the fastening clip assembly 100 may not include the sealing member 110.

[0029] Lobes 116 and 118 and stabilizers 120 and 122 extend downwardly from the central hub 114. The lobes 116 and 118 may be on opposite sides of the fastening clip assembly 100 and include outer walls 124 that extend over a radial arc in relation to the central longitudinal axis 108. For example, each outer wall 124 may extend over a 90 degree arc in relation to the longitudinal axis 108 (that is, a 90 degree radial angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 108). The lobes 116 and 118 may be spaced 180 degrees from one another (in relation to the centers of the lobes 116 and 118). That is, the centers of the lobes 1 16 and 118 may be spaced at a 180 degree radial angle (about the central longitudinal axis 108) from one another.

[0030] The outer walls 124 may connect to an underside of the hub 114 through one or more coupling tabs 126 that integrally connect an upper edge of the outer wall 124 to an underside of the hub 114. The tabs 126 may be separated from one another through gaps 128. Optionally, instead of tabs, arcuate rims that are devoid of gaps may integrally couple the outer walls 124 to the hub 114. Upper edges of the outer walls 124 provide stabilizing retainers 132, such as ledges, partial rims, or the like, that are configured to abut into a surface of a component surrounding a hole.

[0031] Each outer wall 124 may include a radial upper segment 130 that downwardly and outwardly flares away from the central longitudinal axis 108. The upper segment 130 connects to a securing ledge 133 that is configured to securely couple to a component that connects to another component. A radial lower segment 134 downwardly and inwardly converges towards a distal nose 136 that is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis 108. The lower segments 134 of the lobes 116 and 118 connect to the distal nose 136.

[0032] Each of the stabilizers 120 and 122 may include a fin 138 that connects between an underside of the hub 114 and the distal nose 136. The fin 138 includes a planar upper segment 140 (for example, a flat wall portion) that connects to the hub 114 and angles downwardly and outwardly from the hub 114 away from the central longitudinal axis 108 to a stabilizing retainer 142, such as an outwardly- disposed apex, edge, barb, or the like. The retainer 142 outwardly extends from the upper segment 140 a distance that is configured to contact a surface of a component that surrounds a hole. A planar lower segment 144 downwardly and inwardly angles from the retainer 142 toward the central longitudinal axis 108. The lower planar segments 144 converge toward and connect to the distal nose 136.

[0033] Each of the retainers 142 may curve, cant, or otherwise turn out of one or more planes in which the upper and lower segments 140 and 144 reside. For example, each retainer 142 may include a curved outer edge 143 that curves out of the plane of the upper segment 140 and is configured to contact a surface of a component that surrounds a hole. The curved outer edges 143 of the retainers 142 may curve in opposite directions with respect to one another. The centers of the curved outer edges 143 may be spaced 180 degrees from one another. Alternatively, the retainers 142 may not include the curved outer edges 143. Instead, the retainers 142 may be linear portions radially extending from the upper and lower segments 140 and 144.

[0034] As described above, the fastening clip assembly 100 includes the two lobes 116 and 118 and the four retainers 132 and 142. The lobes 118 and 118 provide two of the retainers 132, while the stabilizers 120 and 122 provide the other two retainers 142. The four retainers 132 and 142 may be regularly spaced about or otherwise with respect to the central longitudinal axis 108, such as at 90 degree intervals. As such, the four regularly-spaced retainers 132 and 142 are configured to provide uniform stabilization of the fastening clip assembly 100 when secured to a component.

[0035] The regular spacing may be with respect to contact centers of the retainers. A contact center is the central area or point where a retainer is configured to contact a surface of a component when the fastening clip assembly 100 is securely connected to the component. The spacing between the contact centers of the retainers 132 and 142 may be the same. For example, the spacing between the contact centers of any two neighboring retainers (that is, two of the retainers that are closest to each other) may be the same for all neighboring retainers. For example, the contact centers of retainers 132 and 142 may be spaced from a contact center of a neighboring retainer 132 or 142 at a radial angle of ninety degrees.

[0036] Alternatively, the fastening clip assembly 100 may include more or less stabilizers than shown. For example, the fastening clip assembly 100 may include only one of the stabilizers. In at least one other embodiment, the fastening clip assembly 100 may include three or more stabilizers. In at least one other embodiment, the fastening clip assembly 100 may include more or less than two lobes.

[0037] In order to couple two components together with the fastening clip assembly 100, the neck 104 of the fastening clip assembly 100 may be pushed into a receiving section of a first component, such as a hole through a panel, a doghouse- style feature of the component, or the like. The head 102 and the collar 106 may sandwich opposite sides or ends of the receiving section. Once secured to the first component, the fastening clip assembly 100 may be shipped as a part-in-assembly along with the first component. Optionally, the fastening clip assembly 100 may be shipped separately from the first component.

[0038] The fastening clip assembly 100 may be secured to a second component by pushing the lobes 116, 118 and the stabilizers 120, 122 (the lobes 116, 118 and the stabilizers 120, 122 form at least part of the main body 150 of the fastening clip assembly 100) through a round hole of the second component. As the main body 150 is inserted into the hole, the retainers 132 and 142 may inwardly collapse or otherwise flex toward the central longitudinal axis 108 to fit through the hole. When fully installed, the retainers 132 and 142 flex out (that is, expand) back to their at-rest positions against a surface of the component proximate to the hole. In at least one embodiment, all four of the retainers 132 and 142 may be on the same side (such as a top or bottom side) of the component when the fastening clip assembly 100 is fully inserted into the second component. In at least one other embodiment, the retainers 132 may be on one side (such as a top or bottom side) of the component, while the retainers 142 are on an opposite side of the component.

[0039] The fastening clip assembly 100 provides four points of contact (via the retainers 132 and 142) around a hole of a component (in contrast to the unstable two points of contact of the known fastener). The additional points of contact double the number of contact points without adding additional lobes, thereby conserving material and reducing cost to manufacture. The four points of contact uniformly retain the fastening clip assembly 100 around a perimeter of a hole of a panel. The uniform retention allows the fastening clip assembly 100 to resist being rocked off axis within the hole, and evens out retention performance to loads from different directions. The uniform retention also improves the sealing performance of the sealing member 110, whether overmolded or integrally formed and molded with the fastening clip assembly 100.

[0040] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the fastening clip assembly 100 secured to a component 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the fastening clip assembly 100 secured to the component 200. The fastening clip assembly 100 securely connected to the component 200 provides a securing system 201. The component 200 may be a panel having an upper surface 202 connected to an opposed lower surface 204. A round hole 206 may extend through the upper and lower surfaces 202 and 204 of the component 200. As shown, the retainers 132 and 142 may abut into the lower surface 204. Optionally, the retainers 132 and 142 may abut into the upper surface 202. [0041] The retainers 132 of the lobes 116 and 118 may abut into the lower surface 204 surrounding the hole 206 over an entire radial length of the retainers 132 or the lobes 116 and 118. Optionally, the retainers 132 may abut into the lower surface 204 over a radial distance that is less than an entire radial length of the retainers 132 or the lobes 116 and 118. The retainers 142 may abut into the lower surface 204 at points that are 90 degrees from the centers of contact of the retainers 132 in relation to the lower surface 204, in order to provide uniform and even stabilization of the fastening clip assembly 100 with respect to the component 200.

[0042] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fastening clip assembly that securely and stably couples to a component within a hole. The fastening clip assembly may uniformly secure around the hole of the component, such as through four regularly-spaced points or areas of contact.

[0043] It is to be understood that use of numeric indicators, such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," is merely to indicate a number of a particular component, structure, feature, and/or the like. For example, use of "first" and "second," may be reversed, such that a first component is a second component.

[0044] While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

[0045] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the embodiments disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. [0046] To the extent used in the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, to the extent used in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

[0047] Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.