Patents Assigned to NIFCO America Corporation
  • Patent number: 11686332
    Abstract: A fastener for securing a panel to a substructure includes a flange having a bore, a base disposed under the flange and having a post extending upwardly from the base, the post having a retaining member at an upper portion thereof, and at least one flexible hinge resiliently connecting the base and the flange such that when the base is pushed toward the flange, the post with the retaining member passes through the bore adapted to engage with other member. The flange further includes flexible walls formed around the bore and extending outward with retaining clips formed at respective leading ends thereof. The flexible walls bend towards the bore when pressed into the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NIFCO AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: William R Rhoades, Kevin Flaute, Reis Lehman
  • Patent number: 11207954
    Abstract: A hook assembly for mounting to a body component having a pair of openings is provided. The hook assembly includes a pin member and a hook housing. The pin member includes a base portion and a pair of insertion pins extending upwardly from the base portion. The hook housing includes a top surface and a pair of interior channels. A pair of clip prongs are positioned at each opening of the pair of interior channels. A hook member extends outwardly from the hook housing. The hook housing is coupled to the body component by inserting the pair of clip prongs into the openings formed in the body component in a clip prong insertion direction. The pair of insertion pins are inserted into the pair of interior channels in a pin insertion direction to secure the pin member and the hook housing to the body component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., NIFCO America Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Tsao, Scott E. Malinowski, Clayton J. Karl, Philip J. Babian, Benjamin D. Hack
  • Publication number: 20210086592
    Abstract: A hook assembly for mounting to a body component having a pair of openings is provided. The hook assembly includes a pin member and a hook housing. The pin member includes a base portion and a pair of insertion pins extending upwardly from the base portion. The hook housing includes a top surface and a pair of interior channels. A pair of clip prongs are positioned at each opening of the pair of interior channels. A hook member extends outwardly from the hook housing. The hook housing is coupled to the body component by inserting the pair of clip prongs into the openings formed in the body component in a clip prong insertion direction. The pair of insertion pins are inserted into the pair of interior channels in a pin insertion direction to secure the pin member and the hook housing to the body component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., NIFCO America Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Tsao, Scott E. Malinowski, Clayton J. Karl, Philip J. Babian, Benjamin D. Hack