Abstract: The apparatus is a carrier tape reel assembly formed of two reel halves. The reel halves include hub portions which further include male detent elements which are rotationally symmetric with each other and likewise include female detent elements which are rotationally symmetric with each other. The male and female detent elements, however, include rotationally asymmetric elements to assure that the two halves are properly aligned so that the open tape slots of the two reel halves are properly aligned. The male and female detent elements are further engaged by a longitudinal motion, without the need for rotational movement during engagement. Stacking apertures are formed rotationally midway between adjacent detent elements to permit the stacking of reel halves, whereby the reel halves are facing in the same direction, but are rotated so that the male detent elements pass through the stacking apertures free of detent engagement.

Abstract: A fuel door housing for readily attaching a neck of a fuel tank with respect to an aperture or recess pocket in a sheet metal or non-metallic body panel of a vehicle includes a hollow sleeve having a cross-sectional dimension less than the aperture, and has first and second ends. The first end extends a predetermined distance away from the aperture within the interior of the body panel for connection with the fuel tank neck, and the second end extends a slight distance through the aperture to the exterior of the body panel. A flange having a predetermined configuration is connected to the second end of the sleeve and is substantially positioned on the exterior of the body panel. The flange is configured to connect and center the sleeve with respect to the aperture and provide a degree of flexibility to the flange for readily adjusting the flange and the housing with respect to the aperture upon installation as well as adjusting to movement between the housing and the body panel that may occur during use.

Abstract: A two piece rivet having a deflectable drive pin for retaining the drive pin in a partially inserted position between the expandable prongs of the rivet is disclosed. The deflectable drive pin includes a hole forming two parallel resiliently deflectable segments each having a radial nib resiliently urged against the head of the rivet in a central drive pin hole. Retention of the drive pin in the fully inserted position between the prongs is effected by a pair of spaced apart circumferential interrupted grooves on the pin receiving projections on inner surfaces of the rivet prongs.

Abstract: An improved one piece drive fastener having a head and a shank, the shank including a generally non-circular cross-section presenting a plurality of generally flat, axially extending surfaces. Each of the flat surfaces on the shank carry a plurality of axially spaced flexible resilient wing elements; the wings being flexed along the straight line connection with the flat surfaces. Certain wings extending from and positioned in spaced relation along at least one said surfaces being angularly disposed so as to tilt in the direction of said head and further including means formed integrally with each of said certain wings to substantially increase the force required for removal of said fastener from a cooperating aperture as compared to the force required to introduce said fastener into said aperture. Said fastener with its flat surfaces permitting the manufacture of said fastener in a simple two-plate mold design.

Abstract: A novel one piece plastic couple is disclosed. The couple comprises a first member whose inner surface is conformed to the shape of the member to be coupled and has a first latch means on its distal end, a second member hingedly connected to the first member as its distal end and to a base member at its proximal end, a third member affixed to the base member at its proximal end and disposed in the same direction as the first member and spaced a predetermined distance from the first member with a second latch means on its distal end which is designed to properly engage the first latch means when the first member is pivotally moved toward the third member to a final latched position.

Abstract: A fastening system including a two-part laterally adjustable fastener comprised of an apertured base and a headed elongated member. The head of the member is captivated in a recess in the base as the base is welded to an article. Complementary surface formations are formed on the base and the article to facilitate positioning of the base on the article during a welding operation.

Abstract: A one-piece integral resilient grommet of elastomeric material is disclosed for isolating the vibration and noise which is propagated from a fractional horsepower motor. The resilient grommet has a central sleeve portion of resilient deformable material having a cylindrical axial opening. A pair of vibration dampening members are integrally formed on the center sleeve portion and have axially spaced apart end walls that extend radially from the central sleeve portion to define an annular recess for mounting the housing of the fractional horsepower motor. The grommet is attached to a support wall structure by a fastener that extends through the cylindrical axial opening and is brought into threaded engagement with the wall. To dampen the vibration wave propagation in the axial direction and isolate the noise of the motor from the support wall, the pair of vibration dampening members are each formed with a set of radially directed ribs which are angularly offset from each other.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved fastener of the type having a head portion, a shank portion extending from the head portion, and a plastic cover overlying the fastener head. The head includes an outer perimeter of generally square configuration having a plurality of substantially straight side portions. The upper surface of the head is provided with an oversized drive recess which extends along the diagonals of the square perimeter. As a result, the fastener head may be readily aligned within a mold which forms the plastic head cover. More particularly, anyone of the straight side portions may engage an alignment surface of the mold to permit the final drive recess forming portion of the mold to be readily aligned with and received by the initial over sized drive recess. The resulting plastic cover entirely overlies the fastener head and the thickness of the plastic within the oversized recess reduces the drive recess dimension to a final desired size.

Abstract: A plastic-headed fastener assembly has a first outer and a second inner sealing flange. The second flange performs the secondary function of engaging the upper panel of two a member assembly which tends to climb the threads and holding it away from the head. The threads on the fastener can then strip out the hole in this upper panel so that it may return to its position adjacent the second member. This flange prevents damage to the plastic head which can result from friction generated heat.

Abstract: There is disclosed an accumulator filter and conduit clamp assembly of the type to be applied to an apertured conduit. The assembly includes a filter unit and a conduit clamp integrally joined to the filter unit. The conduit clamp includes a pair of relatively rigid arms having inner surfaces contoured in general correspondence to the outer transverse dimension of the conduit, resilient hinge means joining the inner ends of the arms together including an arcuate inwardly projecting portion arranged to engage and exert a compressive force against the outer surface of the conduit, and latch means at the free ends of the arms for locking the free ends together. A projection extends inwardly from one of the arms and is dimensioned for being received by the conduit aperture. The projection includes a through aperture for communicating the filter unit with the conduit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved rod retainer for connecting an elongated actuating rod terminating in a short right angle end portion to an apertured lever. The retainer includes a unique hinged rod receiving member which is initially disposed in an opened position for partially receiving the rod. After receiving the rod, the hinged member automatically pivots towards a cooperating wall upon further displacement of the rod toward the retainer until the hinged member automatically lockingly engages the cooperating wall. In the locked position, the rod is securely held between the hinged member and the cooperating wall.

Abstract: A removable one-piece plastic drive rivet for use in an apertured work piece including a head having a depending bifurcated shank and a threaded drive pin which can be driven into a through-bore by an axial blow which expands the shank behind the panel and can be removed therefrom by rotation of the drive pin.

Abstract: A molded one-piece combination safety clamp and fastener apparatus is provided for securing a generally tubular member to an apertured mounting surface. The apparatus includes a collar portion having an inner wall surface for receiving and maintaining substantially without play a tubular shaped element. A clamping portion of the apparatus is integrally hinged to the collar portion and is moveable into engagement with the collar portion for clamping the tubular element therebetween. Cooperating locking structures are associated with the collar and clamping portions for positively locking the collar and clamping portions into engagement about the element. An integral fastener structure having a plurality of coaxially extending shank sections for insertion through an aperture of the mounting surface has a passageway and a pin extending axially therein.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved combined liquid level indicator and hydrometer which includes a light transmitting member having an indicating surface and a reflector surface. The reflector surface is adapted to be submerged in liquid for reflecting light to the indicating surface when the liquid is below a predetermined level. The liquid level indicator and hydrometer further includes a chamber aligned with and partially receiving the reflector surface. The chamber confines and positions a float member relative to the reflector surface for being viewed through the indicating surface responsive to the relative specific gravity of the liquid. A connection means carried by the chamber supports the light transmitting member and aligns the reflector surface with respect to the chamber. The chamber is initially formed in an open condition adapted for accepting the float member therein and is lockable thereafter for capturing the float member within the chamber.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic U-nut for retention on the edge of an apertured panel wherein the device is capable of accepting a wide variety of panel thicknesses.