TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a grommet, and more particularly relates to a protective bundle routing grommet suitable for use with a wide range of panel thicknesses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often necessary to pass a wire, bundle of wires, tube or conduit through an opening in a panel, such as a vehicular frame rail. The panel opening is likely to have sharp edges from the cutting or punching operation that formed the opening. These sharp edges can cut or abrade the object (the wire, bundle of wires, tube or conduit) that is passed through the opening. To prevent this damage, a grommet is often utilized by first inserting the grommet into the opening. The object is next inserted into the opening in the grommet. The grommet protects the object from the sharp opening edges. Prior art grommets typically comprise a one piece construction and are inserted into one side of the opening. These grommets have many drawbacks including the need to match the height of the grommet with the depth or thickness of the opening. Other drawbacks include the lack of a robust retention means to retain the grommet in the opening and to prevent it from being dislodged from the opening. A single-piece grommet may also not provide adequate protection for the object passing there through on the side opposite the side where the grommet is inserted. Depending upon the grommet's construction or fit, this side may not provide adequate protection against abrading.

Two-piece prior art grommets suffer from similar drawbacks. The depth of a two-piece grommet must be matched to the thickness of the panel opening. Clips are commonly used to attach the first grommet piece to the second piece. These clips tend to easily break and thus the grommet halves can easily separate, especially the grommet on the lower surface. When the grommet must be replaced, the retention clips (or other fastening means) are typically broken during removal and thus the grommet assembly must be entirely replaced. Another drawback during replacement is the need to unthread the object (the wire, bundle of wires, tube or conduit) from the opening in the grommet. In the case of a wire, the wire must be cut or in the case of a conduit, the conduit must be uncoupled from the closest fitting. The object must be removed from the grommet opening and then re-threaded into the opening of the new grommet. The present invention includes grommet embodiments whose object openings can be opened or separated to allow the object to be removed from the old grommet opening and installed in the new grommet opening without the need to cut or disconnect the object.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, a grommet assembly configured to be disposed within an aperture in a panel having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface is provided. The grommet assembly includes a grommet frame configured to contact the first surface of the panel and an elastomeric region extending from the grommet frame and configured to be inserted within the aperture. The elastomeric region defines a plurality of ribs angled such that the ribs are configured to provide an insertion force when the elastomeric region is inserted within the aperture and provide a removal force greater than the insertion force when the elastomeric region is withdrawn from the aperture.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the grommet frame and the elastomeric region are characterized as having an oval shape.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the grommet frame includes a first routing trough configured to be arranged within the aperture and to receive a first elongate object. The first routing trough is angled at an acute angle relative to the first surface of the panel.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the first routing trough defines a generally semicircular cross section.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the grommet frame includes a second routing trough configured to be arranged within the aperture and to receive a second elongate object. The second routing trough is angled at an acute angle relative to the first surface of the panel. The second routing trough is arranged opposite the first routing trough.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the second routing trough defines a generally semicircular cross section.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the first routing trough is configures to contact a bottom surface of the first elongate object and the second routing trough is configured to contact a top surface of the second elongate object.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, a first radius of the first routing trough is different than a second radius of the second routing trough.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the first radius is substantially equal to a radius of the first elongate object and wherein the second radius is substantially equal to a radius of the second elongate object.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the grommet assembly of the previous paragraph, the grommet assembly further includes a first cable tie encircling the first elongate object adjacent a first retaining tab defined on a free end of the first routing trough and a second cable tie encircling the second elongate object adjacent a second retaining tab defined on a free end of the second routing trough.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of manufacturing a grommet assembly configured to be disposed within an aperture in a panel having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a grommet frame configured to contact the first surface of the panel and molding an elastomeric region around and extending from the grommet frame using a two shot molding process. The elastomeric region is configured to be inserted within the aperture. The elastomeric region defines a plurality of ribs angled such that the ribs are configured to provide an insertion force when the elastomeric region is inserted within the aperture and provide a removal force greater than the insertion force when the elastomeric region is withdrawn from the aperture.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the grommet frame and the elastomeric region are characterized as having an oval shape.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the grommet frame includes a first routing trough configured to be arranged within the aperture and to receive a first elongate object. The first routing trough is angled at an acute angle relative to the first surface of the panel.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the first routing trough defines a generally semicircular cross section.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the grommet frame includes a second routing trough configured to be arranged within the aperture and to receive a second elongate object. The second routing trough is angled at an acute angle relative to the first surface of the panel. The second routing trough is arranged opposite the first routing trough.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the second routing trough defines a generally semicircular cross section.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the first routing trough is configures to contact a bottom surface of the first elongate object and the second routing trough is configured to contact a top surface of the second elongate object.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, a first radius of the first routing trough is different than a second radius of the second routing trough.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the first radius is substantially equal to a radius of the first elongate object and wherein the second radius is substantially equal to a radius of the second elongate object.

In an example embodiment having one or more features of the method of the previous paragraph, the grommet assembly further includes a first cable tie encircling the first elongate object adjacent a first retaining tab defined on a free end of the first routing trough and a second cable tie encircling the second elongate object adjacent a second retaining tab defined on a free end of the second routing trough.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

