The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 05, 2023
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2021
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US);
Sathya Shankar Kuttumukkula Chandrasekaran, Novi, MI (US);
Robert J. Hazlewood, Plymouth, MI (US);
Vikas Bhatia, South Lyon, MI (US);
John J. Salvia, III, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Patrick J. Edgar, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Lynne Susan Dykins, Brighton, MI (US);
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US);
Abstract
A retention mechanism for a removable access door includes a retention tab positioned along a side of the access door. The retention tab includes a resiliently deflectable stem and at least two engagement heads projecting from the stem. The tab extends to a first distance from a reference surface of the access door. An overstress prevention structure is positioned along the side of the access door so as to enable the retention tab to contact the overstress prevention structure when the stem is deflected a predetermined amount. The overstress prevention structure extends to a second distance from the reference surface, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. Support walls may strengthen the overstress prevention structure against forces exerted by the retention tabs during deflection of the tabs. The support walls may form a protective 'shroud' around the retention tab.