Abstract: A clinch nut has a flange with additional clinch features. The nut construction includes rectangular torque-lugs radially spanning the bottom surface of the nut flange. Each lug has a displacer and an undercut. When assembled to a panel the mating panel has a star-shaped hole comprised of a central round mounting hole in addition to a number of apertures/openings that are aligned with the lugs of the nut. In one embodiment a hexagonal nut with six side flats has a flange with six torque lugs underneath the nut flange which are pointed orthogonally to the nut flats. This construction is employed in conjunction with a receiving panel or plate having a central circular opening surrounded by apertures in alignment with the nut lugs. Both the nut shank and each of the lugs clinch into the panel.

Abstract: A standoff fastener for attaching to a blind hole in a metal panel. The fastener has a substantially cylindrical body with a short shank that extends downwardly from the body into the hole. The shank has an inwardly extending collar with a first inwardly facing chamfer on the top and a second outwardly facing chamfer located on the bottom. The body has a shoulder at the bottom with a circular recess adjacent to and encircling the shank. The shank is radially divided into four equal segments which are separated by four radial slots. When the shank is spread outwardly by a center installation punch pressing against the first chamfer, the outer distal edge of the shank is pressed into the side wall of the hole, while an edge at the top of the second chamfer embeds into the end wall of the hole.

Abstract: A clamping snap-in fastener has a head with laterally-projecting, resilient arms that are curved and tapered toward their extremities. The arms are angled downwardly. Two resilient legs extend downwardly from the head. Each leg has a foot with a barb, an outwardly-projecting heel at the distal free end, and an undercut between the heel and the barb. The barb has a planar top surface that extends substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the leg, and a planar lower surface that extends inwardly from the upper surface toward the heel. The undercut lies between the lower surface and the heel at the bottom end of each leg. The fastener may be used to assemble two or more panels face-to-face through aligned apertures in the panels. After assembly, the panels are attached between the fastener head and the barbs with a residual clamp load applied by the deflection and resilience of the arms of the head.