Guardian Industries Corporation

Greg F Hintzke

William Doroghazi

Thomas J Fenbert

Joseph J Randazzo

William R McGrail

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a grille badge including an outer member and an inner member configured to be snapped together. The inner member includes a living hinge to facilitate the connection to the outer member. The inner member is at least initially inserted into the outer member in a bent position, the inner member being bent or snapped into place via the living hinge provided thereto during manufacturing and/or assembly. In certain example embodiments, the outer element includes at least one slot for receiving at least one corresponding tab provided to the inner element. In certain example embodiments, the inner and outer members include corresponding snap features for securing the connection therebetween. An assembled grille badge may be connected, directly or indirectly, to a vehicle (e.g., to the vehicle, to a front-end assembly, to a grille, etc.), for example, using one or more snap features.

Grille badge and/or method of making the same

An example grille badge includes an outer member and an inner member configured to be snapped together. The inner member includes a living hinge to facilitate the connection to the outer member. The inner member is at least initially inserted into the outer member in a bent position, the inner member being bent or snapped into place via the living hinge provided thereto during manufacturing and/or assembly. In certain example embodiments, the outer element includes at least one slot for receiving at least one corresponding tab provided to the inner element. In certain example embodiments, the inner and outer members include corresponding snap features for securing the connection therebetween. An assembled grille badge may be connected, directly or indirectly, to a vehicle (e.g., to the vehicle, to a front-end assembly, to a grille, etc.), for example, using one or more snap features.

Method of making grille badge

In certain example embodiments, a single type of vehicle frame member may be used for both first and second vehicle types, where the frame member includes at least one window frame opening defined therein. In making the first vehicle type, the window frame opening(s) is/are filled with windows in a known manner. When making the second vehicle type, one or more of the frame openings is/are filled with a colored polymer based insert which is of a color(s) which compliments the exterior color(s) of the vehicle. In other example embodiments (which may or may not be used in conjunction with the aforesaid embodiment), an attachment member for mounting an insert in a frame opening is designed to allow at least part of the attachment member to slide relative to an insert to which it is mounted. In certain instances, the attachment member may include a spring biased clip, while in other instances it may include a slidable stud support.

Growing community of inventors

Macomb Township, MI, United States of America

Greg F Hintzke