Abstract: A U-nut that is adapted for use with a stand-off fastener to prevent excessive loads on a panel comprises two legs and a joining portion therebetween and an aligned threaded barrel and aperture in the legs. A resilient spring finger follows the contours of the legs and joining portion and does not intersect with a zone between the aperture and barrel. The spring finger will frictionally engage a panel received between the legs of the U-nut.

Abstract: A nut plate retainer comprises a planar body, nut elements, and at least two orienting tabs. The tabs are formed from and extend parallel to the body. One tab has a locking element having a ramped leading edge and a cutaway trailing edge for snap engagement with an opening in a workpiece. The tabs fit into slots in the workpiece and the nut plate can be moved until the locking element snaps into place in the opening. The nut plate retainer is thereby mounted to the workpiece, and is prevented from rotation or displacement.

Abstract: A cage nut for minimizing problems of paint welding comprises a body having a threaded bore, and means for encaging that body, and a separating member located between the body and the necaging means. The separating member may take a variety of shapes, forms and orientations, but is preferably a shim having an uneven surface. In one possible embodiment, the shim may be formed with four detents extending from the surface of the shim towards the body.

Abstract: A crash sensor switch having a plunger held in floating suspension by resilient springs is movable from a magnetically biased, switch inoperative position to a switch operative position by crash forces in excess of the magnetic bias force. In one embodiment, the switch is closed to operate a safety device when current flows from one spring through a conductive zone on the plunger and to the other spring.

Abstract: A self-mounting fastener adapted to mount to an aperture in a workpiece, comprising a fastener body having a base and a connecting stem; and a cage formed of a sleeve sized to slidably receive the base, having an opening in at least one side thereof, and having a fixed latch and at least one hinged latch operable and adapted to engage the aperture by the sliding of the base in the sleeve.

Abstract: A door striker assembly for mounting in a vehicle door receiving aperture for engagement with a vehicle door latch. The striker has a bracket adapted to be mounted in the door aperture. The bracket has two sections joined together at an angle, and a generally L-shaped rod extends between the bracket sections. The ends of the rod are rigidly joined to the bracket sections. The base area joining the bracket sections has a width between about 2.5 to about 7.5 times the diameter of the rod. The rod is adapted to be engaged by the vehicle door latch mechanism. The bracket, rod, and a revetment cooperate to form a rigid assembly. The assembly prevents vehicle door parts from being trapped by the door striker during a collision, which improves vehicle safety by minimizing the possibility of the vehicle door being jammed shut.

Abstract: A die (20) particularly adapted for making a screw blank having a reduced diameter, offset or asymmetric section has a first die section (30) having a central bore (32), which mates with a second die section (50) having a smaller diameter and/or offset bore (52). A shaped end (57) of the smaller or offset bore (52), which forms the reduced diameter, offset or asymmetric section of a screw blank, is coated with a hard lubricating material. The method of manufacturing the die (20) involves making two first die sections (30), which are preferably identical, from a first die body (130), and two second die sections (50), which are also preferably identical and adapted to mate with the first die section (30), from a second die body (150).

Abstract: A fluid conduit coupling adapted for quick connect and disconnect without special tools, and in which a safety latch is provided, comprises a first coupling body having a flanged end; a second coupling body sized and adapted to be joined with the first coupling body; a jacket mounted on the first coupling body and radially spaced apart therefrom; and a resilient locking element attached to the second coupling body and having fingers sized to fit into the space between the jacket and the first coupling body which have angular unions which engage the flanged end of the first coupling body when the coupling bodies are fitted together.

Abstract: A fabric fastener adapted for fastening a fabric to a framework, or a workpiece to a fabric covered framework, comprises a head and shank, and a sharp edged tip section. The tip section has an unthreaded angle side which intersects a threaded side to form the sharp edge. Preferably two prongs with a space therebetween and sharp edges facing the space are formed at the end of the tip. The sharp edges, particularly of the prongs, serve to engage and cut through the threads of a fabric so that the fastener does not become entangled in the fabric, thereby minimizing damage to the fabric and also minimizing cross-threading with a framework aperture into which the fabric fastener is fastened.

Abstract: A spring element for a shock isolating mount is adapted for multiple assembling and disassembling. The spring element comprises an annular segment having holding tabs extending radially inwardly from one end thereof; and aligning tabs which are shorter and wider than the holding tabs, and which extend radially inwardly from the same end of the annular segment.

Abstract: An improved mounting part is designed for use in securing plastic panels to a metal framework. The mounting part comprises a base plate which is mechanically fastened to the framework by means of substantially oblong cups which are inserted into corresponding slots in the framework and then deformed into round; and a rectangular block for receiving a screw. The plastic panel is secured to the framework by means of a screw threaded fastener which is inserted through an opening in the panel and screwed into a guide hole drilled into the rectangular block and then into the framework. The improved fastener eliminates problems of rust initiation caused by the welded mounting part of the prior art, and acts as a combination of a stand-off washer and a nut.

Abstract: A female threaded fastener, such as a nut, for preventing cross threading with a male threaded fastener comprises a body in which there is a threaded bore. A mouth is formed on at least one open end of the bore. The mouth has a partial thread section and a lip segment. The partial thread section has formed in it at least one partial thread. The lip section is unthreaded and may be angled radially outwardly from the bore.

Abstract: A fastener clip is adapted to be pushed onto an edge of sheet materials of varying thicknesses. The clip has two legs. The first leg has cut from it a U-shaped elongated tongue with an elongate aperture which is between the two legs; the tongue is gutted to provide a clearance between the outer perimeter of the tongue and the surrounding portions of the first leg. The elongated tongue has a length to width ratio of at least 1.3:1. The second leg has a threaded means opposite the elongate aperture for receiving a bolt.

Abstract: A caged fastener adapted to be mounted in a hollow frame member without welding comprises a fastener body having a threaded bore therein and a cage enclosing the fastener body and providing it a limited range of movement in at least one direction and providing access to the threaded bore. Holding members comprising rigid and spring members extend from the cage and frictionally fit inside the hollow frame member. The spring resilience of the spring member allows the caged fastener to be snapped in place and retained in the frame member.

Abstract: A test stand for testing male threaded fasteners comprises a holder for the fastener which locates a rotating male fastener adjacent to a target bore in a target body holder. The target bore is positioned at an angle to the fastener by rotating the target body holder. If the fastener meets manufacturing specifications, it engages the target bore threading and causes the target bore and fastener to become aligned by the rotation of the target body holder. A test stand for testing female fasteners operating in the same way locates a rotating female fastener adjacent a target stud in a target stud holder.

Abstract: A method of masking the threaded portion of a threaded fastener part to prevent adhesion of coatings comprising the steps of applying a film of a heat activated foaming polymeric material to the threaded portion of a threaded part prior to exposing the threads to a coating and heating the foaming material subsequent to the application of a coating thereto. The foaming material comprises a plastisol, preferably including a vinyl compound, which most preferably is polyvinyl chloride. The foaming material further comprises a blowing agent, preferably azodicarbonamide.

Abstract: An improved plug for an aperture such as the paint drain hole in an automotive body comprises an integral flat body having two opposed aligning protuberances and two opposed engaging protuberances formed adjacent the edge of the body. At least one engaging protuberance is angled radially outwardly and has sufficient spring qualities to allow a snap mount of the plug into the aperture.

Abstract: A finishing washer 10 is presented. Finishing washer 10 comprises a frustoconical perforated disk 15 having a plurality of tabs 20 extending inward from disk 15. When applied to a screw 50, finishing washer 10 provides a wider bearing area to the screw head 52, to establish a wear point between screw 50 and the material finishing washer 10 will bear on. In this manner, the material is not damaged by friction or pressure when screw 50 is tightened. Further, stripping of screws is lessened due to the use of finishing washer 10 of this invention.

Abstract: A screw having a tapered and offset tip with a partial thread prevents cross-threading of the screw when inserted into a nut. The offset tip is a section of a conical frustum. The axis of the conical frustum section is offset from the axis of the shank of the screw. The conical frustum section is defined by those portions of a conical frustum contained within the outer radius of the screw shank. The partial thread is located on the side of the tip facing the direction of offset of the tip.

Abstract: An improved shock isolating mount is designed for securing a body part of vehicle to a support. The shock mount comprises a two-part spool that includes: a spacer formed from an annular flange integral with a tube, the tube projecting through apertures in mating elastically resilient bodies and a support part of a vehicle body part disposed between them; a thimble, formed from a flange integral with a tube designed such that the thimble tube can telescope into the spacer tube. The thimble tube is formed into a polygon shape at the tube shoulder adjacent the thimble flange and the spacer tube is formed in a matching polygon shape such that the thimble tube shoulder can mate with the spacer tube to prevent relative rotation of the thimble and spacer. The thimble tube has an enlarged end which is engaged by a plurality of inward protrusions mounted in the spacer tube to prevent the spacer and thimble assembly from accidental disengagement.