Decoma Exterior Trim, Inc.

Robert Lydan

Ronald Andrew Mueller

Amell A Kapadia

A clip () for fastening a panel () to a support structure () is provided. The clip () has a plate () and a stem () extending from the plate. The stem 14 has a base () and a body section (). The base () has a width greater than a width of the body section (). A pair of tangs () extend from a distal end of the stem () toward the plate (). A sealing flange () extends from the base (). The sealing flange () is first molded from a material having a first durometer and then the plate (), stem () and tangs () are molded from a material having a second durometer greater than the first durometer.

Dual durometer clip

A mounting method for mounting a plastic panel ( ) to a vehicle substrate provides a support flange ( ) on an inner surface of the panel. A reference nodule ( ) is positioned on the inner surface of the panel. An elongate bracket ( ) has an upper edge ( ) thereof engaging the support flange ( ). The bracket ( ) has a reference notch ( ) engaging the reference nodule ( ) positioning the bracket ( ) relative to the panel ( ). A plurality of retainers ( ) are mounted on the bracket ( ). A double-sided adhesive tape ( ) has a first adhesive on a first side thereof compatible for adhesion to the bracket ( ) and a second adhesive on a second side thereof compatible for adhesion to the panel ( ). The first side of the adhesive tape ( ) is applied to the bracket ( ) and the second side is applied to the panel ( ). The tape ( ) allows expansion and contraction movement of the panel ( ) while securely retaining the panel ( ) to the vehicle substrate.

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, Canada

Robert Lydan