IP Library Granted Patent US 9,359,011
Granted Patent B2
US 9,359,011 · App. 13/895,420 · Granted Jun 7, 2016

Attachment assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,359,011
App. No.
13/895,420
Granted
Jun 7, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An attachment assembly is configured to couple a panel assembly to a support member. The attachment assembly includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member movably coupled to the first attachment member. As such, the second attachment member is configured to move relative to the first attachment member. The second attachment member defines a cavity portion. The attachment assembly further includes a locking member movably coupled to the first attachment member between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the locking member is in the unlocked position, the second attachment member is movable with respect to the first attachment member. In the locked position, the locking member is at least partially disposed in the cavity portion, thereby fixing the position of the second attachment member with respect to the first attachment member.

Claims (32)

1. An attachment assembly, comprising:

a first attachment member defines a first attachment cavity;

a second attachment member movably coupled to the first attachment member, wherein the second attachment member is configured to move relative to the first attachment member, the second attachment member defines a cavity portion, the second attachment member includes a second attachment body configured to be slidably received in the first attachment cavity, and the second attachment member defines at least one slit extending through the second attachment body;

a locking member movably coupled to the first attachment member between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the locking member has a substantially frusto-conical shape;

wherein, when the locking member is in the unlocked position, the second attachment member is movable relative to the first attachment member;

wherein, in the locked position, the locking member is at least partially disposed in the cavity portion to fix a position of the second attachment member with respect to the first attachment member; and

wherein the slit is configured to allow the second attachment body to expand radially outward when the locking member is inserted into the cavity portion.

2. The attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second attachment member is configured to rotate relative to the first attachment member when the locking member is in the unlocked position.

3. The attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment member includes a first attachment body defining the first attachment cavity, and the first attachment cavity is configured to slidably receive a portion of the second attachment member.

4. The attachment assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first attachment member includes a first attachment flange coupled to the first attachment body, and the first attachment flange is configured to be coupled to a panel assembly.

5. The attachment assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first attachment member includes a first attachment flange coupled to the first attachment body, and the first attachment flange defines a threaded hole.

6. The attachment assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a locking threaded screw coupled to the locking member, wherein the locking threaded screw is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole such that the locking member is configured to move with respect to the first attachment member upon rotation of the locking threaded screw relative to the first attachment flange.

7. The attachment assembly of claim 4 , wherein the second attachment member includes a second attachment flange configured to be coupled to a support member so as to connect the panel assembly to the support member.

8. The attachment assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second attachment flange defines at least one second flange hole configured to receive a fastener so as to couple the support member to the second attachment flange.

9. The attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second attachment body defines the cavity portion.

10. The attachment assembly of claim 9 , wherein the cavity portion has a substantially frusto-conical shape.

11. The attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second attachment member is configured to rotate relative to the first attachment member when the locking member is in the unlocked position.

12. A vehicle, comprising:

a first panel assembly;

a second panel assembly;

a support member configured to couple the first panel assembly to the second panel assembly; and

an attachment assembly at least partially disposed within the first panel assembly, the attachment assembly being configured to couple the support member to the first panel assembly, the attachment assembly including:

a first attachment member coupled within the first panel assembly so that the first attachment member remains stationary with respect to the first panel assembly, wherein the first attachment member defines a first attachment cavity;

a second attachment member movably coupled to the first attachment member, wherein the second attachment member defines a cavity portion, the second attachment member includes a second attachment body configured to be slidably received in the first attachment cavity, and the second attachment member defines at least one slit extending through the second attachment body;

a locking member movably coupled to the first attachment member between an unlocked position and a locked position;

wherein, when the locking member is in the unlocked position, the second attachment member is movable with respect to the first attachment member;

wherein, in the locked position, the locking member is at least partially disposed in the cavity portion to fix a position of the second attachment member with respect to the first attachment member; and

wherein the slit is configured to allow the second attachment body to expand radially outward when the locking member is inserted into the cavity portion.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the second attachment member is configured to translate along a longitudinal axis with respect to the first attachment member.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the second attachment member is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis with respect to the first attachment member.

15. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the cavity portion has a substantially frusto-conical shape.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the locking member has a substantially frusto-conical shape.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0601 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0336 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2013
From: FATHOLLAHI, HOJJAT
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 030427/0790 →