Abstract: An automotive door interior assembly has an interior door trim panel with a plurality of bosses extending therefrom having sections of varying wall thickness for allowing energy absorption through columnar deformation of the bosses. The bosses comprise conically shaped, hollow pedestals having a first end attached to the trim panel, a second truncated end opposite the first end, a wall connecting the first end and the second end, and an inner surface on the wall having at least one groove thereon. Connectors on the second truncated end of the bosses attach the trim panel to receiving apertures in the inner door panel.

Abstract: A protective liner is secured to a truck cargo bed by a plurality of one-piece resilient fasteners each including a bearing plate and a clamp member. The bearing plate and clamp member are integrally formed with the clamp member extending perpendicularly from the bearing plate. A lever arm extends from a peripheral edge of the clamp member toward the bearing plate to a free end portion removed from contact with the base plate. The lever arm is normally spring biased downwardly away from the bearing plate. On installation the clamp member is projected through an opening in the liner with the peripheral edge sliding over the edge of the liner around the opening. As the clamp member advances through the opening, the lever arm slides on the liner edge and is urged upwardly toward the bearing plate to allow the clamp member to pass through the opening. The pivotal movement of the lever arm allows the bearing plate to be compressed against the liner without flexing the bearing plate relative to the clamp member.

Abstract: A clip 1 has a head 2 and an engagement portion 3, and the head and the engagement portion is connected via a pair of arms 4, 4 which form a flange when hinges 5 in the middle thereof are bent radially outwardly. The clip can be fixed to a carpet 18 and the engagement portion is to be attached to a panel such as a vehicle body. The head 2 has a large-diameter flange 7 the surface of which has no hole and which presses a surface of the carpet, and a shank 8 extending from the flange downwardly to an extent that is the same as the thickness of the carpet. The engagement portion 3 has an engagement pawl 12 to engage with hooks hanging down from the head flange 7 when the engagement pawl is pressed onto the shank of the head 2, and an engagement portion shank 15 passing through a panel hole to bend radially.

Abstract: A fastener for releasably securing first and second panels together includes a pin for being secured in an opening of a first panel, and a grommet for being secured in an opening of the second panel and for releasably receiving a shank of the pin to thereby releasably secure the first and second panels together. The pin includes a shank having a plurality of spaced apart circumferential grooves thereon, and a pair of spaced apart flanges connected to an end of the shank for securing the pin in the opening of the first panel. The grommet includes a tubular body defining a passageway for receiving the shank and has at least one longitudinal slot opening outwardly to an end thereof to define a radially pliant portion of the tubular body. A flange may be connected to the tubular body adjacent an end thereof opposite the longitudinal slot and cooperates with a plurality of tabs connected to the tubular body to secure the grommet within the opening of the second panel.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag installation including an inflatable air bag assembly mounted in a rectangular opening in the vehicle instrument panel for deployment of the air bag through the opening. A rectangular net fit cover door engages a recessed abutment around the opening when closed. The abutment includes a plurality of spaced apertures around the opening for receiving fasteners for attaching the cover to the instrument panel. The fasteners comprise elongate thermoplastic resin bodies having a bulbous head, flared wings or shoulders extending from the bulbous head for providing height alignment, an intermediate bulbous portion for centering the fastener in the aperture and a lower end that converges to a flange to facilitate insertion through the apertures. Integral lock-in-tabs are provided in the flange portion to lock the fastener to the abutment. Integral channels molded into the underside of the cover substrate releasably engage the heads of the fasteners.

Abstract: A method and bone anchor assembly apparatus for attaching suture material to bone tissue includes a hollow anchor body having a rectilinearly-bounded transverse cross-section with a maximum dimension corresponding to the diameter of the bone tunnel drilled to receive the anchor. A longitudinally displaceable plug received within the anchor body is contoured to interact with inwardly biased bone tissue engaging barbs formed on the sides of the anchor body, defining a first position wherein the barbs are allowed to uninterferingly retract within the anchor body and a second position wherein the plug forces the barbs outward into engaging contact with the bone tunnel sidewalls. Suture material is passed around the anchor assembly, through a transverse slot defined in the assembly distal end and the plug is positioned in the first position with barbs retracted. The assembly is inserted into the bone tunnel and the plug is urged into the second position with barbs engaged in bone tissue.

Abstract: A break-away fastening system for securing an air bag deployment door in position closing a panel opening used for air bag deployment includes a fastener extending from the door toward a facing edge flange of the panel around the panel opening. The fastener includes a head at an end portion directed toward the edge flange and adapted to be inserted through an aperture provided therein as the door is moved into place covering the panel opening. After full insertion, fingers of the head snap outwardly away from each other on an opposite side of the edge flange to lock the head and thus secure the door firmly in place. The fastener has at least one frangible section of reduced cross-section between the door and the edge flange which section is fractured or broken upon deployment of the air bag against the door as it moves through the panel opening.

Abstract: The invention comprises a profile-shaped clamp means wherein one or two inside profile elements (6), shaped as gripping springs, press resiliently against an object which is thereby retained. When the object is constituted by a male part (7,9) adapted to fit the profile element of the female shape of said clamp, the total clamp means can be utilize for locking two objects (10,11) to each other. The clamp means is preferably constructed as a profile in a homogeneous material, and a clamp effect and/or a joint is obtained without use of tools or small parts. The profile elements are preferred to be convexly curved, while the male part may be substantially complementary to the curved profile.

Abstract: A substrate alignment and retainer clip (10, 20) is provided which includes an anchor (12, 13, 40), a retainer (11, 42), and a biasing device (11, 41), joining and aligning the anchor (12, 13, 40) and retainer (11, 42), for biasing the retainer (11, 42) towards the anchor (12, 13, 40).

Abstract: A fastener for securing a printed circuit board to a chassis includes a body portion, legs depending from the body portion, the legs being adapted for removable attachment within holes in the chassis, a hook for slidably engaging a slot on a printed circuit board inserted thereon, and a grounding element for providing an electrical connection between the printed circuit board and a shield on the chassis. The fastener described herein enables one chassis design to accommodate a variety of sizes of printed circuit boards merely by forming holes at particular points on the chassis, thereby avoiding the expense of redesigning a chassis to accommodate a new printed circuit board.

Abstract: A holding element 1 is formed of plastic with a basic body 2 and an adjoining resilient stop 3. There are formed onto the basic body several resilient detents 4, 4'; 5, 5', located in diagonally oppositely disposed pairs with front engagement surfaces 6, 6'; 7, 7' facing the resilient stop 3. The basic body is rectangular in cross section and exhibits an open interior S. Moreover, all four side surfaces are equipped with at least one of the resilient detents 4, 4'; 5, 5'. At least two of the diagonally opposite detents respectively have a T-shape, and the transverse cross-piece 9 on the T-shape carries the front engagement surface. The vertical cross-piece 10 of the T-shape is arranged between two recesses 11, 12 located in the plane of the side surfaces of the basic body 2. Each detent 4, 4'; 5, 5' is surrounded by perforations 13 extending to the free interior space 8 in the basic body 2.

Abstract: A clip member for securement of a trim member to a slot in the sheet of a vehicle. The clip member includes a base portion which includes a dovetail for attachment of the base portion to a trim member. The clip also includes a shaft portion which has an axis and is connected to the base member. The shaft member is adapted for allowing resilient rotational deflection about the axis of the shaft. A locking protrusion extends from the shaft portion and includes a locking shelf for engaging the sheet portion of the vehicle. The locking protrusion also includes a ramp portion which is operable for deflecting in response to engaging the slot and rotating the locking protrusion about the axis of the shaft during insertion of the protrusion into the slot.

Abstract: A two-part fastener for use in septoplasty procedures includes a fastener portion having a base with shaft extending perpendicularly therefrom and a retainer having an aperture for engagement with the shaft. The fastener may include indexing means for positioning the retainer in engagement with the fastener portion at discrete spaced apart locations along the shaft. In another embodiment the shaft is slightly larger in diameter than the aperture in the retainer to effect a frictional engagement. Applicator instruments are also provided. In one embodiment the applicator includes two elongated members pivotally connected in the middle. In another embodiment the applicator includes an elongated body which holds a plurality of septoplasty fasteners. A pivotally connected lower jaw holds a supply of retainers. A pusher member drives the fastener through a curved firing chamber, through body tissue, and into engagement with the retainer.

Abstract: A synthetic resin fastener for fixing a first member having a first attaching hole formed therein to a second member having a second attaching hole formed therein. The fastener includes a head portion for engagement with a surface-side peripheral edge of the first attaching hole, a seat portion extending from a rear surface of the head portion for engagement with a surface-side peripheral edge of the second attaching hole, and an anchor portion extending from a rear surface of the seat portion for engagement with a back-side peripheral edge of the second attaching hole.

Abstract: A vehicle door interior assembly has an inner door panel attached to a trim panel with a plurality of pins having splines thereon which are sheared from the pins for absorbing energy to lessen the energy transfer to the vehicle interior during a collision or otherwise. The pins have a shaft with a spear shaped nose section on one end which assists in attachment of the pins to holes in the inner door panel assembly. Finger members attached near the nose section help retain the pins in the holes and are deformed or sheared from the pin shaft should the assembly separate. A water seal is attached to the shaft to prevent moisture from seeping through the holes to the passenger compartment. Under compression, the pins are forced through the holes thus shearing the splines from the shaft and convert kinetic energy of the pin to heat energy.

Abstract: A flexible fastener has an apex region, a first cantilevered leg and a second cantilevered leg, joined to one another at an apex region. A distributed spring action area is positioned off of the apex region, and along at least one of the cantilevered legs, and is formed by providing the apex with a relatively thick head compared with the thickness of the leg members, so that flexure is limited to the legs, and kept away from the apex region. The flexible fastener is particularly suited for use in a catch assembly for jewelry, especially a bangle. Preferably the flexible fastener is substantially planar, and flexes within its plane of construction. Although the flexible fastener can be constructed from any material which acts as a spring, preferably the fastener is constructed from heat treatable carat gold alloy spring material.

Abstract: A clip. A leg portion is inserted through a mounting hole formed in a member to be mounted, and into a mounting hole formed in a holding member which holds the member to be mounted. A head portion is formed at one end portion of the leg portion. The member to be mounted is interposed between the head portion and the holding member and is fixed to the holding member. A core member is provided in the leg portion so as to extend from one end portion of the leg portion to another end portion of the leg portion. A plurality of supporting members are provided so as to extend in a radial direction from the core member and are provided along a longitudinal direction of the core member. A portion of an elastic deforming member is supported at respective distal end portions of the plurality of supporting members.

Abstract: A locator and attachment apparatus for attaching a cover panel to a trim bezel including a projecting member and clip whereby the projecting member guides the cover panel into the proper position through use of a slot on the trim bezel and the clip attached to the projecting member thereby secures the projecting member in place.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for securing a protective bedliner to the interior of a pick-up truck cargo bed wherein the cargo bed has side walls with inwardly extending horizontal flanges and vertically, downwardly extending flanges spaced from the side walls of the truck. The side walls of the bedliner are provided with a plurality of circular apertures overlapping the bottom edges of the vertical flanges and a locking device is associated with each aperture. Each locking device includes a base plate engageable with the wall of the bedliner around an aperture and a flat planar locking tongue extending perpendicular to the base plate through the aperture. The locking tongue includes a shank portion having first and second substantially parallel edges disposed substantially perpendicular to the base plate and a retainer portion extending laterally from the shank portion substantially parallel to the base plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one piece self sustaining fastener for securing a protective liner to the bed of a pick-up truck, the liner having on its two opposite vertical sides openings for receiving individual fasteners, each fastener having an extending portion adapted to pass into an opening of the liner and pass around and out of contact with an adjacent horizontal projecting portion of the rail of the bed, the extending portion having a free end that by a flexing action engages the inside wall of the rail at a point close to but spaced from the upper inside wall of the rail, the fastener also has a base portion at the inner end of the extending portion, including a projecting surface that has a portion that exceeds the dimension of the opening and which engages the outside adjacent surface of the liner, the base portion also has a portion that acts as a pivot when inserting the fastener into the opening and an opposite portion that by thumb pressure assumes a snap locking position after which the extending portion a

Abstract: A fastener assembly for detachably connecting a molded door trim panel to an apertured inner door panel of a vehicle, where upon disassembly, the fastener assembly will disengage, or a replaceable portion will fracture without damaging the molded door trim panel. A detent is utilized to connect a hook portion to a retainer housing that is molded into the molded door trim panel. Upon the hook portion being mistakenly pulled against the inner door panel during disassembly, the detent will either disengage the hook portion from the retainer housing, or the hook portion will fracture before the retainer housing is damaged or disconnected from the molded door trim panel. By preventing damage to the retainer housing and molded door trim panel, only the hook portion of the hook fastener assembly need be replaced or reconnected, instead of the entire molded door trim panel.

Abstract: An adjustable fastener assembly which can readily be engaged and disengaged including a receptacle member, a connecting member and an engagement member for retaining the connecting member to the receptacle member upon engagement in a first direction, for maintaining retention and providing movement between the receptacle member and the connecting member for a predetermined distance in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and for enabling disengagement of the connecting member from the receptacle member upon movement in the second direction beyond the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A board clamp including a head portion and a leg portion having a rigid axial stem and elastic engaging pieces arranged around the axial stem is adapted to secure various objects to a board or panel by inserting the leg portion into a fitting hole formed in the board. Since the leg portion is supported by the rigid axial stem, it is steadily inserted and retained in the fitting hole without being deformed or broken even when being inserted slantwise or subjected to a relatively large load.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for engagement with an aperture in an article including a fastener having at least a shank, a head at a first end of the shank and a resilient retaining member along the shank for releasably retaining the fastener to the article after insertion of at least a portion of the retaining member within the aperture, and an engagement member for compressing the retaining member prior to insertion within the aperture and contact of the retaining member with the article, and for preventing compression of the retaining member by the article about the aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connection assembly between a support, for example a body part of an automotive vehicle, and a plate element, such as a wall covering, including a lower holding component insertable into an opening of the support. The lower holding component carries a center component whose upper portion comprises a spherical segment which can be clipped into an opening in a tubular section of upper component. The opening which receives the spherical segment has an internal prof ile defined by spring elements spaced about the interior of the tubular section. The spring elements hook behind the spherical segment, and between the spring elements there are arranged spacer elements acting upon the spherical segment to maintain it centered relative to the spring elements.

Abstract: A plastics push button for fastening an article such as trim strip or body panel to a motor body using weld studs attached to the surface of the motor body comprises a large circular retaining head at one end of a short, hollow cylindrical stem and a circular skirt at or near the other end of the stem, the diameter of the skirt being substantially equal to the diameter of mounting holes provided around a panel or at intervals along the length of a trim strip and the diameter of the head being greater than that of mounting holes, the skirt being provided with a plurality of protruding, resilient fringe members which can lightly engage the rim of a mounting hole and the bore of the cylindrical stem being provided with resilient fingers which can engage the projections of a weld stud when the push button is pressed through a mounting hole so that the cylindrical head abuts the top surface of the article and the cylindrical stem passes through the mounting hole and is pressed over the weld stud so that the articl

Abstract: A fastener that can be readily disengaged includes a post that has engaging claws provided on the peripheral face of the end thereof, and a contact plate that engages with the top end of the post to thereby act in concert with the engaging claw to clamp panels or the like therebetween, in which the top end of the post is formed as an inclined face portion that slopes upward from a point on the peripheral surface of the post midway up along the length of the top end, an engaging portion that extends peripherally is formed on the peripheral surface on the opposite side to the inclined face portion, and the contact plate is provided with a through hole to receive the top end of the post, in which one part of the hole edge is contacted with the inclined face portion and the other part of the edge engages with the engaging portion.

Abstract: The invention features a flexible protective strip having one or more longtitudinally extending inserts which provide the protective strip with greater impact resistance, greater strength and an improved locking action in the mounting member. The resilient strip preferably includes a pair of oppositely disposed, inwardly extending latch members which include inserts to provide the improved locking action. The mounting member preferably includes a web portion having a pair of oppositely disposed web-latch extensions extending across a chord of the body, substantially parallel to a tangent to the circumference of the body at its mid-line, and at least one leg member extending from the web portion away from the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for attaching a decorative molding strip to an open keyhole-shaped slotted passage terminating in a lock hole provided in a vehicle body flange upper edge. A T-like fastener, integrally molded of elastomeric material, has a block-shaped head joined to the backside of a molding member by a V-shaped stem. The head inboard surface and the molding backside form layered grooves therebetween on either side of the stem. The head has a base from which project pair of upstanding forked portions separated by a V-shaped compression notch. The notch terminates in a radiused root having upwardly diverging walls disposed at a predetermined acute angle. The stem has upwardly diverging arms from a juncture the interior walls of which define a root profile matching the notch root profile.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for holding a heat insulating mat in an aircraft cabin has a lower and an upper section configured to conform to a trough-shaped flange of a stringer secured to the fuselage. A holding pin forms part of the lower section and can be connected to the insulating mat. The two sections are onto the stringer (2) as a clip. For this purpose the lower section (4) fits with a trough (10) around the stringer (2) and the upper section (5) formed with a snap-in locking device including an expander pin (9) is arranged with a barrel portion in the trough of the stringer. The upper section (5) has a plate (14) tangentially merging into the barrel portion and extending outside the stringer (2) for the snap-in action.

Abstract: A connector for joining automobile panels. A retainer member having a shaped slot is molded into a door panel and receives a flat headed stud for supporting a hook surrounded by a sealing flange for hooking over an edge of an opening in a sheet metal door panel for fastening the panels together.

Abstract: A plastic clip for the blind fastening of soft-elastic rubber mats on carrier plates. The clip consists of two spreading fingers (1, 1') which can be pushed through a fastening hole (10) in a mat (5), and of two stem halves (2, 2'), joined at right angles to the fingers, and which, in the state in which the clip is supplied, project outwards and are pivotally joined to one another by a flexible web (4). To mount the clip, the spreading fingers lying adjacent each other are first pushed into the hole in the mat and are then bent apart by pivoting the two stem halves together. The two stem halves now forming one complete stem are then pressed into a hole (11) in a carrier plate (6) and anchored in the hole by the protrusion (7, 7') on the stems.

Abstract: A two-part fastening clip made of a hard-elastic plastic material for fastening a piece of molding to a panel. The device includes an upper part having a cover plate, with the molding being secured to one side of the cover plate, a stopper element that extends perpendicularly out from an opposite side of the cover plate in a direction away from the molding and a bulge on its free end that tapers conically in both its axial directions. The device also includes a lower part that can be anchored in a hole in the panel and has a socket casing having a through opening therein for receipt of the stopper element of the upper part and a constricted edge in the opening behind which the bulge of the stopper engages to lock the two parts together.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plastic reveal molding and retainer assembly for attachment to an apertured side body or door panel of an automotive vehicle. The retainer has a planar bottom portion which can be readily attached to the panel, a pair of deflectable end portions which are integrally connected to the bottom portion via living hinges and a deflectable barbed fastener integral with the bottom portion and projecting transversely therefrom. The molding is elongated, has an arcuate shape, as viewed in cross section, and has pairs of spaced chordally extending flanges adjacent its opposite ends and a pair of spaced apertured flanges at its center. The molding is attached to the retainer by moving the same thereover so that the end portion of the retainers are captured between the pairs of chordally extending flanges and so that the central flanges are snap fitted over the barbed fastener with a force fit to hold the molding in place.

Abstract: An automobile molding can be satisfactorily mounted on a vehicle body panel of an automobile without forming several holes in the vehicle body. With the use of such an arrangement that a locating boss incorporated with a holder is inserted together with a clip in an attaching hole formed in the vehicle body panel so as to effect an engaging force between the locating boss and the attaching hole, which prevents the holer and the molding body from being positionally shifted.

Abstract: A pin and grommet assembly includes a push-pin and a grommet of unique construction which is capable of absorbing variations in the relative positions of a supporting panel and a mating panel to be attached caused by thermal expansion and contraction. A pair of diametrically opposed semicylindrical-shaped portions are disposed on the push-pin and cylindrical-shaped mating grooves are formed in the interior of the grommet for retaining freely floating the semicylindrical-shaped portions in the grommet so as to permit lateral sliding engagement between the opposed outer wall surfaces on the shorter sides of the main body portion of the grommet.

Abstract: A securing device for securing two boards firmly to one another with a predetermined distance therebetween. The securing device is integrally formed of resin and comprises a resilient reverse retention member to support a first board, a rectangular linkage member, resilient legs provided on both sides of the linkage member to engage the first board, and a support base to support a second board thereon. Characteristically provided with recesses at the foot of both widthwide sides of the linkage member, the securing device of this invention is enabled to have the advantages of both having a rectangular-shaped linkage member and an improvement in strength.

Abstract: In a tape cartridge (20), a snap pin fastener (100) is provided for securing the cover (88) and base plate (90) while permitting therebetween differential expansion in a longitudinal direction (108) of the base plate. One dimension (112) of the snap pin is chosen small enough to flex under a force induced by differential thermal expansion of the cover and base plate. Thus the base plate remains flat, insuring registration between the tape and a transducer head. The second dimension (114) is chosen great enough to provide, with the first dimension, a cross section (115) sufficient to resist operational forces placed on the cover and base.

Abstract: A fastener system for precision mounting of body parts to a frame in spite of unavoidable manufacturing variations, composed of an anchor hole in a frame and an axially adjustable screw anchor seated stationarily into the anchor hole. The axially adjustable screw anchor includes a base for seating into the anchor hole in the frame, an axial sleeve provided in the base, a plunger slidably mounted within the axial sleeve, and a gap connected with the plunger for providing a mounting surface for the body part being mounted to the frame. the plunger and the cap are each provided with an axial hole for a common self-tapping screw-type fastener. In operation, when a tool brings the body part into a predetermined precise relationship with respect to the frame, the body part engages the mounting surface of the cap and causes the plunger to slide into the axial sleeve exactly the right amount so that the mounting surface of the cap is located precisely where the body part is to be mounted for a precise fit.

Abstract: A clip for fixing a panel (17) to a support (18), comprising: a relatively stiff moulded plastics material body (1) having a head (2) adapted to be mounted to the panel through an orifice (19), a foot (3) adapted to be mounted to the support through an orifice (20), a flange at the place where the foot (3) and the head (2) merge and a relatively soft plastics material washer cooperating with the flange to provide a seal with the support characterized in that the washer (14) is overmoulded onto the periphery of the flange (4).

Abstract: A two-part fastening clip for fastening a piece of longitudinal extending molding to a panel. The clip includes a bottom part having means for anchoring the bottom part in a hole in the panel and a top part having means for securing the molding to it. The bottom part has an upwardly projecting connection pin of rectangular cross-section and a pair of side pieces projecting laterally outward from two opposite sides of the upper end of the pin. Downwardly facing seat surfaces that extend in a direction perpendicular to the pin and in the longitudinal direction of the molding are provided on the lower sides of the side pieces and two outwardly and downwardly slanting slide surfaces are provided on the other two sides of the upper end of the pin.

Abstract: In a clip for application to a longitudinal flange for mounting components such as trim strips having a component holding block (body) from which resilient fingers projecting away from an abutment protruding from the block are formed as upright arms which project from the block and are provided at their free ends with catching projections which, when they catch onto the longitudinal flange, press the upright arms round a bending zone extending in the transverse direction thereof away from the abutment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one piece self sustaining fastener for securing a protective liner to the bed of a pick-up truck, the liner having on its two opposite vertical sides openings for receiving individual fasteners, each fastener having an extending portion adapted to pass into an opening of the liner and pass around and out of contact with an adjacent horizontal projecting portion of the rail of the bed, the extending portion having a free end that by a flexing action engages the inside wall of the rail at a point close to but spaced from the upper inside wall of the rail, the fastener also has a base portion at the inner end of the extending portion, including a projecting surface that has a portion that exceeds the dimension of the opening and which engages the outside adjacent surface of the liner, the base portion also has a portion that acts as a pivot when inserting the fastener into the opening and an opposite portion that by thumb pressure assumes a snap locking position after which the extending portion a

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective strip assembly for use in protecting walls, cabinets, display stands, and the like from impact by shopping carts and the like in retail outlets. The assembly comprises an elongate base member and an overfitting protective trim member held together by opposed interlocking ridges and notches. The overfitting protective trim member absorbs shock as opposed leg members resiliently spread transversely to the axis of the strip assembly at interfitting sliding surfaces. The base member includes downwardly extending side walls. The base member further includes support members which occupy a space formed between the mounting surface and trim connector portion.

Abstract: A fastener comprises at least one spring tab for snap-fastening an object to the fastener. The spring tab has an inclined surface extending between a first end and a second end, opposite the first end, at which it has a retaining surface set back beneath the inclined surface. The object to be retained has a projecting portion adapted to bear upon the inclined surface of the spring tab when the object is pressed against the fastener. Snap fastening is achieved by pressing the object to be retained onto the fastener in the direction extending from the first end towards the second end. The spring tab deflects and the projecting portion of the object to be retained slides upon the inclined surface of the tab. When the second end of the inclined surface is passed, the spring tab returns toward its original undeflected position and the retaining surface overflies the projecting portion of the object to be retained.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a door trim panel having a mounting surface to a vehicle body door. The door trim panel has a plurality of appendages which project downward from the door trim panel and a plurality of fingers depending downward in proximity to an upper edge of the door trim panel. The door has a plurality of openings for receiving the appendages of the door trim panel adapted for securing the door trim panel to the door. The clips secured to the vehicle body door have a ramp surface for engagement by the finger of the door trim panel and adapt to slide the trim panel vertically relative to the door trim panel as the door trim panel is moved towards the body door. An engagement surface of the clip depends downward from an upper edge of the ramp surface for engaging the finger securing the trim panel to the body door.

Abstract: The combination of a metal stud having a projecting head for welding to a receptor surface and a resilient clip for mounting on said stud and retained by said projecting head is characterized in that the underside of said head has a tapered shoulder which reduces progressively to the diameter of said stud, in that said clip has a retaining hole of which the internal diameter increases correspondingly from a diameter equal to that of the stud whereby it engages the tapered shoulder under said head when the clip is applied to the stud and in that said clip is provided with at least two retaining members which contact said receptor surface to urge the clip into close engagement with the tapered shoulder under the head of the stud.The clip is easily mounted on the stud by direct pressure and provides a more positive location of the clip on the stud.

Abstract: The invention features an elongated strip of resilient material, which strip is secured in and partially surrounds a mounting member, where the resilient strip member has a semi-cylindrical body with a pair of circumferentially facing edge portions. The resilient strip also includes a pair of oppositely disposed, radially-inwardly extending solid, wedge shaped latch members, each extending longitudinally of the latch member and located between one of the edge portions and a point 45 degrees away from the mid-line of the semi-cylindrical body. The mounting member includes a web portion having a pair of oppositely disposed web-latch extensions extending across a chord of the semi-cylindrical body, substantially parallel to a tangent to the circumference of the semi-cylindrical body at its mid-line, and at least one leg member extending from the web portion away from the semi-cylindrical body.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an assembly for providing a connection between a support 1, for example, a body part of a motor vehicle, and a plate element 2, for example, a wall panel of a motor vehicle. The assembly generally includes a molded plastic holding element 4 which can be releasably connected into an aperture 3 of the support 1. The holding element 4 is equipped with a head piece 5. The assembly also includes an upper part or component 6 which is attachable to the plate element 2. Between the upper part 6 and the holding element 4 is a middle piece or component 7. The middle piece 7 includes an upper area 8 which is designed so that it can be snapped into the upper part 6. A lower portion 9 of the middle piece 7 is designed for lateral insertion of the head piece 5 of the holding element 4.

Abstract: A two-part fastener for mounting a component upon a substrate comprises a first part having an elongate hollow body, a self-tapping threaded portion defined upon an exterior peripheral portion of the elongate body whereby the first part can be threadedly secured within the substrate, and a first snap-fitting engagement member defined upon an internal peripheral portion of the first part. The second part likewise comprises an elongate body, a support portion for fixedly mounting the component thereon, and a plurality of axially spaced second snap-fitting engagement members defined upon an external peripheral portion of the second part. When the second part is axially inserted into the first part, for example, with the component affixed thereon, the second snap-fitting engagement members of the second part selectively engage the engagement member of the first part such that the disposition of the component supported upon the second part can be adjustably mounted as desired relative to the substrate.