US 12,172,586 B2
Vehicle trim assembly with interchangeable attachment features
Jose Luis Toriz Vega, Metepec (MX); Joaquin Andres Araya Salinas, Huixquilucan (MX); Raul Rafael Martinez Huesca, Atizapan de Zaragoza (MX); and Jose Nicolas Juarez Espinoza, Cuajimalpa de morelos (MX)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on May 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/746,280.
Prior Publication US 2023/0373406 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 13/02 (2006.01); F16B 2/20 (2006.01); F16B 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 13/0206 (2013.01) [F16B 2/20 (2013.01); B60R 13/025 (2013.01); F16B 5/0628 (2013.01); F16B 5/0657 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle trim assembly, comprising:
a trim panel having an A-surface and a B-surface, wherein the trim panel defines a retaining member on the B-surface, the retaining member including:
a connector extending from the B-surface; and
an engagement plate coupled to the connector, wherein the engagement plate has a width greater than a width of the connector, and wherein the engagement plate includes a locking arm extending therefrom;
a first attachment feature engageable with the retaining member in a first use condition; and
a second attachment feature engageable with the retaining member in a second use condition, wherein each of the first attachment feature and the second attachment feature include:
a base having a proximal support and a distal support;
a clip coupled to the distal support and configured to engage a vehicle body;
guide features coupled to the proximal support, wherein the guide features are configured to receive the engagement plate of the retaining member; and
a protrusion coupled to the proximal support, wherein the locking arm is configured to engage the protrusion to lock the base on the retaining member.