Mark A Schatz

US Patent:

6485049, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

Dec 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747187

Inventors:

Gregg Prottengeier - Plymouth MI
Tim Stillwell - Commerce Township MI
Mark Bouvier Schatz - Lake Orion MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807302, 280751, 296 391

Abstract:

A trim panel assembly for attachment to a body panel of a motor vehicle includes a main body portion and a mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement includes a first mounting member. The first mounting member has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg and a second leg. The first leg extends generally perpendicular to the main body portion. The second leg extends generally parallel to the main body portion. Preferably, the mounting arrangement further includes a second mounting member for resiliently biasing the main body portion downward. In one particular application, the trim panel assembly is a B-pillar trim panel assembly. In this particular application, the first mounting member extends through an aperture in the B-pillar and the second mounting member resiliently engages a housing of an airbag assembly.

US Patent:

55932622, Jan 14, 1997

Filed:

May 25, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/450328

Inventors:

Dale G. Gedeon - Sterling Heights MI
Mark B. Schatz - Metamora MI
Robert J. Stephens - Clarkston MI
Shawn E. Roberts - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16B 1306
F16B 3704

US Classification:

411182

Abstract:

A removable plastic automobile boss has a body formed with a bore for receiving a threaded fastener. A flat seating flange is formed on the front portion of the body, the flange including left and right ears respectively protruding outwardly from the left and right sides of the body. Top and bottom ramp-shaped engagement abutments are formed on the body. Further, a slit is formed on the body such that the top and bottom engagement abutments ride against the periphery of an instrument panel receptacle when the boss is advanced into the receptacle, thereby causing the top and bottom halves to be urged toward each other to permit the boss to be fully inserted into the receptacle. The front portion snappingly resumes an engaged configuration when the engagement abutments clear the periphery to sandwich the periphery between the engagement abutments and the seating flange to engage the boss with the instrument panel.