Three piece floor mat retention system
View Patent ↗A three piece fastener is provided for attaching two layers, e.g. a floor mat for a vehicle to a floor carpet which may then stabilize the mat relative to the carpeting. The three components may connect together through a combination of mechanical connections to provide a relatively simple and cost effective solution to floor mat retention.
1. A method of attaching two layers together comprising providing a fastener having three components,
a. a first component including a base portion, a foldable arm, and a receiving portion comprising a U-shaped hook portion configured to mechanically engage an opening defined by an enclosed frame in a connector portion of said foldable arm, and a projection having an edge to engage a second component in a snap-fit relationship, wherein a terminal end of the U-shaped hook portion is contained within the enclosed frame when mechanically engaging the opening;
b. a second component including a platform portion having a protrusion having an opening to engage said first component and said protrusion is configured to mechanically engage with a third component by threaded engagement;
c. a third component including a platform having a central opening, said opening configured to mechanically engage with said protrusion of said second component by threaded engagement;
d. providing a first and a second layer, wherein said first layer includes a first opening and a second opening to accommodate said foldable arm and said receiving portion of said first component, respectively, and wherein said second layer includes an opening for said protrusion of said second component;
e. inserting said foldable arm and said receiving portion through said first and second openings in said first layer and folding said arm such that said hook portion of said receiving portion mechanically engages said opening defined in said connector portion of said foldable arm, thereby securing said first component to said first layer and wherein said first layer overlies said mechanical engagement of said hook portion and said opening and said engagement is visible from a backside of said first layer;
f. engaging said second component to said first component by inserting said projection of said first component into said opening in said second component;
g. inserting said protrusion of said second component through said opening in said second layer; and
h. mechanically engaging said opening of said third component to said protrusion of said second component by rotationally threading the third component and second component to one another; and
i. securing said second layer to said first layer.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said second component protrusion includes a plurality of detents for engaging the projection of said first component.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said second component protrusion includes external threads for mechanically engaging said third component.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said third component includes internal threads which may engage said external threads of said protrusion.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said two layers comprise a vehicle floor mat and vehicle carpeting.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third components comprise a thermoplastic or thermoset material.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said foldable arm includes a living hinge portion.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said first layer comprises vehicle carpeting and said second layer comprises a vehicle floor mat.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said third component includes logos, indicia or decorative patterns.