Abstract: A two-piece panel fastener includes a barrel-shaped metal retainer which holds a screw. The screw includes a threaded shaft and a plastic cap which has longitudinally-extending resilient fingers which engage the outer surface of the retainer to captivate the screw. The retainer has a chamfered top flange along its top edge, a circumferential bulge area around its outer surface approximately in the middle of its length, and a base at the bottom. Two circumferential valley regions of reduced diameter are located along the outer surface of the retainer. The first valley region is located between the chamfered top flange and the bulge area and the second is located between the bulge area and the base. When the fingers occupy either of the valley regions, the screw is captively held at either of two stable positions of retraction or extension. The retainer is preferably rigidly affixed to a circuit board by soldering a base flange at the bottom of the retainer to the top surface of the board.

Abstract: An elongate, elastomeric fastener (13, 19) includes a head (13) and barrel section (19). The fastener may be installed into a hole (12) in a panel (11) by stretching by the elastomeric, elongated portion reducing diameter so that it passes through the hole (12) and fastens by releasing the force on the fastener (13, 19) allowing gripping around the hole (12). In yet a further embodiment, a central push-pin (35) may be used to apply an axial force on the fastener which is required to operate the fastener (13, 19).

Abstract: A snap-in fastener secures two sheets together by snap fit. Extensions of the fastener body include a clinch feature that provides a permanent attachment to a first sheet of metal. Integral snap arms which extend beyond the opposite side of the first sheet provide a reusable means to attach to an appropriately sized hole in a second sheet thus uniting the two sheets. The sheets include rectangularly-shaped holes positioned in alignment through which the snap arms of the fastener pass to achieve attachment. A locking mechanism may be employed to hold the snap arms in their engaged position to prevent pull-out of the second panel. In addition, finger grips integral with the body of the fastener provide an ergonomically suitable handle for carrying the attached sheet.

Abstract: A three-sided, progressively-formed threaded fastener is comprised of a plurality of planar longitudinal faces intersecting at comer areas. Shank tabs extend downward from the bottom of each of the faces at the base of the fastener. Threaded regions along the inside surface of the planar faces are coined indentations applied during the formation of the fastener. A plurality of wedge-shaped protrusions extend downward from the comer areas at the base of the fastener. The combination of shank tabs and wedge-shaped protrusions form a clinch profile along the bottom of the fastener so that it may can be affixed to a sheet of metal by clinch fit.

Abstract: A three-sided, progressively-formed threaded fastener is comprised of a plurality of planar longitudinal faces intersecting at corner areas. Shank tabs extend downward from the bottom of each of the faces at the base of the fastener. Threaded regions along the inside surface of the planar faces are coined indentations applied during the formation of the fastener. A plurality of wedge-shaped protrusions extend downward from the corner areas at the base of the fastener. The combination of shank tabs and wedge-shaped protrusions form a clinch profile along the bottom of the fastener so that it may can be affixed to a sheet of metal by clinch fit.

Abstract: A narrow, pliable tether or strap attaches at opposite ends to a panel and a screw respectively in order to flexibly retain the screw to the panel away from the screw hole. A variety of attachment means between the tether and the screw may be employed. C-clip style jaws on the end of the tether may be employed to fit into a groove under the head of the screw as the preferred means of releasable screw attachment. Thus, the tether is free to rotate on the screw to avoid binding as the screw is turned. An adhesive, either first applied to the tether or the panel is employed to attach the stationary end of the tether to the panel.

Abstract: A snap-in fastener secures two sheets together by snap fit. Extensions of the fastener body include a clinch feature that provides a permanent attachment to a first sheet of metal. Integral snap arms which extend beyond the opposite side of the first sheet provide a reusable means to attach to an appropriately sized hole in a second sheet thus uniting the two sheets. The sheets include rectangularly-shaped holes positioned in alignment through which the snap arms of the fastener pass to achieve attachment. A locking mechanism may be employed to hold the snap arms in their engaged position to prevent pull-out of the second panel. In addition, finger grips integral with the body of the fastener provide an ergonomically suitable handle for carrying the attached sheet.

Abstract: A captive panel fastener includes a retractable screw having a thermal plastic cap molded around its head. The cap includes slotted skirt with resilient fingers. When the retractable screw is forced downward through the bore of the ferrule having divergent sides, the fingers of the cap spread apart by the wedging action against the outside surface of the ferrule, thus providing a biasing force urging the screw in an upward retracted direction. The ends of the cap fingers include inward facing ribs which fall into a circumferential groove around the outside surface of the ferrule adjacent its bottom end. The groove may further include plurality of radial extending teeth which engage inward facing protrusions located on the fingertip ribs to resist unwanted loosening of the screw.

Abstract: An insert for plastic sections is manufactured from a flat strip of metal by high-speed progressive die-stamping, which forms the strip into a threaded female insert. The metal strip is first cut into a flat blank and then thread regions are impressed on the face of the strip, providing a thread pitch profile. During the stamping operation, the strip is folded to form a triangular hollow tube with sharp-edged protrusions extending radially outward from each corner of the triangle. An interlocking side tab and interlocking cutout secure the abutting longitudinal side edges of the strip and ensures axial alignment of the thread regions. As a result of the folding and stamping process, the thread regions lie along the interior wall of the tubular construction and define a thread pitch diameter, which will accept the screw threaded into the center of the insert.