Abstract: A resilient fastener is provided and is usable with a panel having either a first thickness or a second thickness. The fastener includes a main body member, a first spring arm and a second spring arm. The main body member includes an anterior side and a posterior side. The first spring arm is disposed on the anterior side of the main body member. The first spring arm includes a first shoulder portion positioned to engage against a surface of a first panel having the first thickness. The second spring arm is disposed on the anterior side of the main body member. The second spring arm includes a second shoulder portion positioned to engage against a surface of a second panel. The second panel includes the second thickness which is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A tethered fastener assembly includes a first connector portion, a second connector portion, and a tether portion. The tether portion couples the first connector portion to the second connector portion and includes a first releasable holding feature, a first cooperating releasable holding feature, a second releasable holding feature, and a second cooperating releasable holding feature. The first releasable holding feature is engageable with the first cooperating releasable holding feature. The second releasable holding feature is engageable with the second cooperating releasable holding feature. The first releasable holding feature engages the first cooperating releasable holding feature, and the second releasable holding feature engages the second cooperating releasable holding feature, to retain the tether portion in a folded configuration.

Abstract: A retaining wing can be hingedly coupled to an outer surface of each of two legs along a hinge line. The retaining wing can include a leading edge facing toward, and a trailing edge facing away from, the distal end of the legs, and together with the hinge line can define a substantially triangular shape. When a screw is not present in the screw passage, engagement of the trailing edge against one of the automobile components can operate to direct a servicing removal force applied through the base inwardly on the wings causing the wings to flex inwardly and permit removal of the screw grommet from the aperture without damaging any of the components or requiring a separate inwardly directed force to be directly applied to the wings. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The method of controlling a rotating three-phase motor involves generating in synchronism with the rotation of the motor a variable duty cycle pulse-width modulated signal for each of the switching circuit components used to supply current to the motor coils. The generated variable duty cycle pulse-width modulated signals control the switching circuit components to selectively place pairs of motor coils in current conducting states and to develop an associated varying voltage for each of the phases. This varying voltage is monitored to identify the one phase that is at a voltage in between the voltages of the other two phases. Then for the identified one phase, the variable duty cycle pulse-width modulated signal is specially generated so that when the switching circuit components of the other two phases are concurrently switched on, the switching circuit component of the identified one phase is not switched on.

Abstract: A spring restraining clip mounts the axial terminus of a coil spring on the chassis via a spring seat. At least two of three spring restraining members that are circumferentially spaced on the spring restraining clip are the open type of spring restraining member so configured as to clasp and hold coil springs inserted in the axial direction, and one of the spring restraining members is a closed spring restraining member that receives the tip of a coil spring when the coil spring is rotated in the circumferential direction after having been inserted in the open type spring restraining members.

Abstract: A mold and molding process for a first shot body member includes a pair of side walls, a semi-circular sleeve positioned between the pair of side walls to define a portion of a longitudinal pocket, and a pair of deflecting wings. Each deflecting wing is coupled to one of the side walls at a corner. A second shot isolation member of an elastically resilient second material is bonded to portions of an interior surface of the longitudinal pocket defined by each of: the semi-circular sleeve, each of the pair of side walls, each of the pair of corners, and each of the pair of wings. Mold members can include supporting surfaces to support interior and exterior portions of the wing during the second shot molding operation, while leaving an exposed interior bonding surface that defines a portion of the second shot molding cavity.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle airbag occupant restraint system fastener includes a metal clip, a first thermoplastic connector, a second thermoplastic connector, and a thermoplastic tether. The thermoplastic tether extends between the first and second thermoplastic connectors. Opposing ends of the thermoplastic tether are seamlessly integrated into the first and second thermoplastic connectors, respectively. The first and second thermoplastic connectors are formed of a first material and the thermoplastic tether is formed of a second material that is different from the first.

Abstract: A structure is used wherein a clip holding component of a harness protector can be formed as a separate item from a clip. A clip holding component of a type that is moveable in the X axis direction is used for a least one of the clip holding components of the harness protector. This clip holding component that is moveable in the X axis direction has a widened slit to accommodate misalignment in the X axis direction b. The clip holding component may be combined with other stationary type clip holding components or clip holding components which are moveable in the Y axis direction.

Abstract: A plastic body includes first and second connector ends coupled together via an elongate tether. A frangible strap can extend from a first to a second point along the longitudinal length of the tether. The length of the frangible strap can be less than the tether length between the first and second points. A metal clip can be non-releasably coupled to the second connector end by being retained within a cage housing. The connecter ends can be releasably coupled to each other by cooperating elongate rails, and with the frangible strap in a non-extended configuration with the first and second connector ends non-releasably coupled associated automobile components. The frangible strap can deform or separate as a result of a tensile force acting on the frangible strap as the tether extends when an airbag deploys separating the automobile components and the connector ends.

Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.

Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.

Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided. In another aspect, a linear displacement sensor directly senses and detects a position of a rivet-setting punch relative to a nosepiece of a rivet setting machine. A further aspect provides a control system and software instructions for sensing the relative position of a punch and nosepiece used by a programmable controller to determine and monitor a rivet setting position without use of a force sensor, motor current/voltage sensor, or a rotation sensor.

Abstract: A riveting system is operable to join two or more workplaces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.

Abstract: The blind rivet for fastening together a plurality of mounted components with mounting holes comprises a rivet body having a sleeve, a flange and a through hole; a mandrel having a slender stem and a head; and a washer. The head of the mandrel is adjacent to the sleeve-side end portion of the rivet body, the stem of the mandrel extends through the rivet body from the flange-side end portion, and the washer is mounted near the flange on the outer periphery of the sleeve of the rivet body. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve adjacent to the flange is swaged to form a recessed portion so that the diameter in the other position is enlarged. The washer is pushed onto the enlarged-diameter portion and secured. The mounted components are fastened together between the enlarged end portion of the sleeve and the washer.

Abstract: A blind rivet is adapted for fastening two members, each member having a plurality of fastening holes arranged in corresponding positions. The inner diameter of the holes in the second member are greater than the inner diameter of the holes in the first member to compensate for positioning errors that may occur during machining. The blind rivet includes a rivet body having a sleeve, a rivet head, and a through hole; a mandrel having an elongated stem and a head; and a washer. The washer is arranged around the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve in the rivet body and adjacent to the rivet head. The members to be fastened are fastened between the enlarged end of the sleeve and the washer.

Abstract: A welding stud including a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has an end region opposite the head and the end region includes at least two angled surfaces which incline towards an axis of the shank in a direction moving away from the head.

Abstract: A polymeric fastener includes a body having multiple sides adapted to accept a tool for applying torque to the body to axially rotate the body with respect to a body longitudinal axis. A flange integrally connected to the body extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A wave-shaped washer integrally connected to the flange has multiple valleys interposed between multiple oppositely directed peaks. Multiple triangular shaped frangible connectors integrally join the flange to the wave-shaped washer. Each frangible connector is integrally connected at a first end to the flange, and is integrally connected at an opposite connecting tip to an individual one of the peaks. The connecting tip has a reduced thickness compared to the first end to induce fracture of each frangible connector at the connecting tip.

Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.

Abstract: A retention clip includes first and second body portions created of a first polymeric material. The body portions when angularly rotated apart define an open position, and when rotated into direct contact defining an engaged position. An isolation portion is created of a resilient second polymeric material. The isolation portion includes isolation members connected to the body portions. The isolation members are positioned facing each other when the retention clip is in the engaged position. The isolation members frictionally contact and retain a tubular shaped member in the engaged position. A living hinge integrally connects the body portions allowing the body portions to rotate with respect to each other. The living hinge provides the only connection between the body portions as the body portions transition between the open position and the engaged position. A frangible connector initially integrally connects the first and second body portions only in the open position.

Abstract: A blind nut mountable in mounted members such as panels of a wide range of thicknesses. The blind nut includes an internal threading portion, a hollow tube-shaped portion adjacent to the threading portion, and an open flange formed in the tube-shaped portion on the end opposite the internal threading. The internal threading portion and the tube-shaped portion are inserted into a mounting hole in a mounted member, and a section of the tube-shaped portion is plastically deformed to enlarge the diameter in order to grip the mounted member between the deformed enlarged-diameter portion and the flange, and mount the blind nut in the mounted member. The tube-shaped portion has a tapered portion adjacent to the internal threading portion, and a cylindrical straight portion adjacent to the flange. The tapered portion and the straight portion are plastically deformed to widen their diameter and mount the blind nut on the mounted member.