Abstract: A tether fastening device for an automobile body structure includes a fastener clip, at least one tether strap, a tether clip bracket, a clip strap coupler, and a bracket strap coupler. The clip strap coupler operably couples to a slot in the automobile chassis. The tether clip bracket attaches to the fastener clip when in an attached position. The bracket strap coupler is attached to the body panel. The tether strap allows for controlled detachment between the clip strap coupler and the bracket strap coupler. The strap may include a mesh to absorb the deployment energy and decelerate the body panel in a controlled manner. In the event of an airbag activation, the tether clip bracket and the fastener clip initially accelerate and then decelerate from each other. The pair of tether straps control the deceleration and separation distance of the clip strap coupler and bracket strap coupler.

Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a first and second pair of laterally offset legs extending from the base plate. At least one first wing extends from the first pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one first wing has an engagement region. At least one second wing extending from the second pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one second wing has an engagement region, such that a distance between the engagement regions and the base plate is operative to vary continuously according to a slot thickness. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into the slot defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into a hole (slot) defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis. At least four wings extend from the arms. Each wing includes at least one engagement portion including a depressed portion formed on each wing, wherein each depressed portion is operative to engage a portion of the hole. According to one embodiment, each arm is coupled to at least one wing at a distal end of each arm (i.e., a long arm), so that each wing extends inwardly towards the base plate. According to an alternative embodiment, each arm (i.e., a short arm) is coupled to the at least one wing, so that each wing extends outwardly away from the base plate.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and an umbrella positioned on the base. A boss is attached to the umbrella and extends outwardly from the umbrella and away from the base. The magnetic fastener has a hole with a diameter to receive the boss. The boss is welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella. An optional carrier is attached to the base to provide additional height for suitable applications. The umbrella is positioned on the base or is attached to the carrier and positioned opposite the base. The boss is attached to the magnetic fastener such that the umbrella flexes to permit the magnetic fastener to pivot about the boss. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. roof.

Abstract: A pivoting electrical connector includes a base and housing. The base has a cavity and base partitions to receive at least two conductors. The housing is operative to pivotally connect to said base and is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation to allow insertion of one or more conductors into said cavity and to twist the conductors into electrical contact when the housing is pivoted. The electrical connector is operative to twist one or more conductors safely within the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and a boss attached to the base. The boss has two or more ratchets. According to one embodiment, one end of the boss is attached to the base and the other end has the two or more ratchets. Alternatively, either or both ends may have the two or more ratchets. A magnetic fastener has a hole with suitable shape and diameter to adjustably fasten with at least one of the ratchets and adjustably fasten the magnetic fastener. An umbrella is positioned between the base and the magnetic fastener. The umbrella is operative to flex or compress appropriately to permit the magnetic fastener to engage at least one of the two or more ratchets. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. door frame, chassis or roof. The boss may optionally be welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella.

Abstract: A tether fastening device includes a tether clip and a strap to couple a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis, and a second engagement structure, such as a body panel. The strap is coupled to the tether clip and couples the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure to allow for controlled detachment. When attached, the tether clip fastens the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure. For example, the tether clip and first engagement structure may detach from the second engagement structure; however, the strap controls the acceleration, speed and distance displaced between the first engagement structure and the second engagement structure. According to one embodiment, the tether clip may further include a tether cap integrated with the strap and a fastener clip operative to couple to the tether cap.

Abstract: An anchor facilitates blind engagement by a first fastener in order to connect an object to a wall. The anchor may be inserted into a cavity accessible through a hole defined in a hollow substrate to connect the object to the wall. The anchor includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate, such that each arm includes an engagement structure disposed at a distal end of each arm. The engagement structure of each arm cooperatively supports the anchor and complementarily engages the first fastener. The first fastener may be a bolt, a screw, or any suitable fastener such as a threaded fastener. The engagement structure includes a collar extending outwardly from each arm for engaging the hollow substrate upon insertion of the anchor into the cavity. Additionally, the engagement structure includes a tang extending inwardly from each arm, generally defining a portion of a first aperture for engaging the first fastener.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and a boss attached to the base. The boss has two or more ratchets. According to one embodiment, one end of the boss is attached to the base and the other end has the two or more ratchets. Alternatively, either or both ends may have the two or more ratchets. A magnetic fastener has a hole with suitable shape and diameter to adjustably fasten with at least one of the ratchets and adjustably fasten the magnetic fastener. An umbrella is positioned between the base and the magnetic fastener. The umbrella is operative to flex or compress appropriately to permit the magnetic fastener to engage at least one of the two or more ratchets. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. door frame, chassis or roof. The boss may optionally be welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella.

Abstract: A fastener comprises two engagement springs on opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an elongated rib. The elongated ribs may have a substantially rectangular shape, or any suitable shape, and they may protrude away from the opposite side of the fastener. Additionally, the elongated ribs may have same or different slopes at each end of the ribs. According to one embodiment, the elongated rib increases the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio when the engagement springs do not have the elongated rib.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and an umbrella positioned on the base. A boss is attached to the umbrella and extends outwardly from the umbrella and away from the base. The magnetic fastener has a hole with a diameter to receive the boss. The boss is welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella. An optional carrier is attached to the base to provide additional height for suitable applications. The umbrella is positioned on the base or is attached to the carrier and positioned opposite the base. The boss is attached to the magnetic fastener such that the umbrella flexes to permit the magnetic fastener to pivot about the boss. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. roof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance. The combination of the above structures with the presence of barbs being bent at their front portion improves immensely the ergonomic character of the devices.

Abstract: A pivoting electrical connector includes a base and housing. The base has a cavity and base partitions to receive at least two conductors. The housing is operative to pivotally connect to said base and is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation to allow insertion of one or more conductors into said cavity and to twist the conductors into electrical contact when the housing is pivoted. The electrical connector is operative to twist one or more conductors safely within the housing.

Abstract: Fasteners characterized by structures which are suitable to be engaged reversibly in a slot of a rigid part, such as a metal sheet or the frame of a car for example. The structure provides easy insertion but difficult extraction of the fastener from the slot, without producing squeaking noises during end-use. Easy manufacturing and high dimensional accuracy are also great assets of the fasteners. The invention also pertains to an assembly of said rigid part and the fastener, an assembly connecting parts with the fastener of this invention, as well as vehicles comprising such assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention pertains fasteners with critical configuration of the barbs, which allows the fasteners to be used in slots of various widths and panels of various thicknesses, and prevents rattling, which would take place in the case of fasteners of the present state of the art. The critical configuration is based on the special dimensions and special shape of the barbs with regard to the parts and the slots involved in assemblies of the fasteners and the parts. The present invention also pertains assemblies of miscellaneous parts connected together by means of the fasteners, as well as vehicles comprising such assemblies. In addition, the present invention comprises fasteners providing a combination of low barbs and high bent barbs, which combination prevents rattling of the fastener and allows secure attachment on a part, such as a sheet metal, for example.

Abstract: A fastener clip includes a pair of laterally offset legs joined at a head portion, wherein the legs form a clip opening at an opposite end of the head portion. A pair of arms are coupled to the pair of legs adjacent to the head portion such that the arms move substantially independently from the pair of legs, wherein the arms project toward the clip opening to form a frictional opening and to permit insertion or withdrawal of a post such that the post causes a non-compressive force between the arms when the post is withdrawn. The post may be a blade, post or tower on a body panel or any suitable flat post. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into a hole defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A spring fastener, which comprises two engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement portion comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio when the engagement portion does not have the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion into, with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel.

Abstract: A spring fastener characterized by a structure having a cavity in which the rib of a first part, such as a plastic panel for example, like a pillar, may be engaged, and is also suitable to be engaged reversibly in a slot of second part, such as a metal sheet for example, like the frame of a car. The spring fastener comprises engagement springs having a peak, engagement regions and-side cuts in the vicinity of the peak, preferably within the engagement regions. The side-cuts, of preferably triangular shape, increase considerably the lever/angle pulling force (pulling force applied on the first part and away from the spring fastener, in order to separate the first part from a second part connected together with the spring fastener). It is highly preferable that the fastener comprises barbs with inwardly bent front ends, and that the engagement regions further have hindrance portions, the combination of which highly improves the balance of insertion to removal ratio.

Abstract: A tether fastening device includes a tether clip and a strap to couple a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis, and a second engagement structure, such as a body panel. The strap is coupled to the tether clip and couples the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure to allow for controlled detachment. When attached, the tether clip fastens the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure. For example, the tether clip and first engagement structure may detach from the second engagement structure; however, the strap controls the acceleration, speed and distance displaced between the first engagement structure and the second engagement structure. According to one embodiment, the tether clip may further include a tether cap integrated with the strap and a fastener clip operative to couple to the tether cap.

Abstract: A tether fastening device includes a tether clip and a strap to couple a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis, and a second engagement structure, such as a body panel. The strap is coupled to the tether clip and couples the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure to allow for controlled detachment. When attached, the tether clip fastens the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure. For example, the tether clip and first engagement structure may detach from the second engagement structure; however, the strap controls the acceleration, speed and distance displaced between the first engagement structure and the second engagement structure. According to one embodiment, the tether clip may further include a tether cap integrated with the strap and a fastener clip operative to couple to the tether cap.