Abstract: A clamping arrangement employs a rotatable element, such as a ball, driven by a cam to apply a biasing force to an article desired to be clamped. The ball is contained within a housing having first and second through-holes arranged substantially orthogonal to one another. An elongated cam enters through one of the through-holes, and urges the ball to protrude through the other through-hole. The ball is larger than the through-hole through which it protrudes, and therefore does not exit the housing. In one embodiment, the cam is urged into communication with the ball by the application of air pressure to a pneumatic cylinder. The air pressure can be controlled to ensure that the biasing force applied by the ball is applied gently and resiliently to avoid jarring the article to be clamped, and displacing its contents. A position sensor is employed to provide an indication of the location of the pneumatic piston.

Abstract: A new and improved air bag inflator module adapted for quick action, snap-on, permanent mounting on a steering wheel requires the use of no tools to install. The module is pre-positioned in front of the steering wheel and is thrust into place until locked. The inflator module includes a base facing and movable in one direction directly toward the steering wheel with a plurality of quick action, snap-on type fasteners carried thereby. Each fastener has a first portion extended into an opening in the steering wheel as the inflator module is pushed into place with a unidirectional thrust and a second portion for supporting the first portion projecting outwardly thereof. A snap-action, annular compressible and expandable holding skirt is provided on the first portion of each fastener for lockingly engaging a surface on the steering wheel when expanded after the first portion of the fastener is fully inserted through an aligned opening in the steering wheel.

Abstract: A clip for coupling an inner shield with a frame of a cathode ray tube preventing the clip from being detached from an insertion hole after coupling and easy to mount, comprising: a head portion including grippers 91 having free ends, extended from the two sides of the head portion with having a certain angle; connecting portions formed by upwardly bending extensions from the two sides of the head portion; and supporting portions having elastic bending portions formed by outwardly bending extensions from the upper part of the connecting portions and contacting portions formed by upwardly bending extensions from the elastic bending portions.

Abstract: A quick-attachment fastener has an elongate barrel and a plunger translatable in forward and aft directions in the barrel. A pivot pin in the barrel extends through the plunger and has an axis fixed relative to the barrel. An arm on the pin swings between a retracted position in the barrel and a deployed position where the arm extends from the barrel. An aft facing part of the plunger engages the arm so that a spring biasing the plunger urges the arm toward the deployed position. A forward facing part of the plunger opposes the arm so that aft plunger translation swings the arm to the retracted position.

Abstract: A fixing device (1) for securing a cover (3) to a seat (4) comprises a support (2), and a plurality of elastic fastenings (5) locked in the support (2), wherein the support (2) comprises more locking apertures (8) than the device (1) has elastic fastenings (5). The support (2) is sewn onto the covering (3), the fastenings (5) are locked in the support (2), and after positioning the covering (3) on the seat (4), the hooks (11) of the fastenings (5) are engaged upon components (17) of the seat (4).

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 rivet type fastener assembly that is especially suited for joining components to vehicle bodies and panels includes resilient legs that extend from the component and through an opening in the panel. An axially elongated pin extends through a hole in the component to a position between the legs. The pin has an enlarged body joined to a head by a reduced size connecting body portion. A retention latch is provided for retaining the pin in selected positions in the hole including a first position where the enlarged body portion is in the space between the legs to prevent movement of the legs laterally toward one another and a second position wherein the relatively smaller intermediate portion is in the space between the legs to permit the legs to be moved laterally toward one another for disconnecting the component from the panel.

Abstract: A fastener includes a casing having a stepped center through hole and a plurality of steel balls in radial holes thereof around the stepped center through hole, a control bolt formed of a press knob element and an actuating element and received in the stepped center through hole, and a spring mounted around the control bolt, and wherein the steel balls are completely received inside the radial through holes permitting the casing to be separated from the control bolt.

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 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 fastener for securing a hard shell and a soft lining together, with particular utility for protective sports gear, is described. The fastener has a broad flexible base portion, a bell-shaped portion leading from the base portion to a shoulder portion, and a post projecting from the shoulder portion and having an annular flange extending therefrom. The shell is trapped between the shoulder portion and the annular flange, and the lining is trapped between the hard shell and the base portion.

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 ball locking device having a ball locking mechanism releasably attachable to a receptacle to lock the device thereto until released. The device has a handle which is removably attached to,the device so that the handle can be changed for another. The handle may be of a non-metallic material whereas the main components of the ball locking mechanism may be of metallic material.

Abstract: A fastening and locking device for tarpaulins and similar weather protective covering materials includes a pluglike member to be mounted in an eyelet (2) with a head (4) in abutment against one side of the tarpaulin (3) and in connection therewith a shank portion (5) projecting through the eyelet opening towards the opposite side of the tarpaulin, the shank portion having a smaller diameter than the head (4), in which a transverse channel (6) is provided for receiving an anchoring or locking member (7).

Abstract: A device for attaching a heat sink to an electronic package comprises a pin having a compressible point, the point being adapted to pass through aligned holes in a heat sink and a printed circuit board so that the point compresses as it passes into two holes and flexes back to an expanded position after it exits the printed circuit board hole opposite the heat sink thereby holding the heat sink to the board with the electronic package therebetween.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module mounting mechanism is disclosed for use in mounting an inflatable restraint module to a support structure such as the hub portion of a steering wheel. The inflatable restraint module is provided with a plurality of mounting members which are adapted to pass through and be retained within apertures in a support plate. The mounting members each include a slot for receiving a spring which traverses across the apertures of the support plate. The slots are preferably sized such that the mounting members are supported for limited movement in a direction longitudinal of the mounting members to permit actuation of a horn circuit. In addition, the springs are movable in a lateral direction to facilitate insertion of the mounting members through the apertures in the support plate.

Abstract: A holder for planar or sheet material includes a first panel, a second panel and a hinge along which an edge of the first panel is secured to an edge of the second panel. A first prong is secured to the first panel and extends in a direction substantially normal thereto. A first aperture is provided in the second panel. The first prong of the first panel is so located and sized as to pass through an associated planar material and enter the first aperture of the second panel when the first panel is rotated along the hinge so that the first panel overlies a portion of the second panel. The planar material is thereby held between the first and second panels. The first prong can be selectively secured in the second panel or detached therefrom so as to selectively hold planar or sheet material in the holder. The holder can support a sign in an in-store display environment. The holder may also be useful in securing several sheets of material together or in securing a dispenser to the front edge of a shelf.

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: An environmental conditioning apparatus including a control unit for conditioning a surrounding environment; a housing retaining the conditioning unit and comprising a flange defining an opening, the flange having inner and outer flange edge portions separated by oppositely directed front and rear flange surface portions; and a grill covering the opening and comprising a rim juxtaposed to the flange, the rim having inner and outer rim edge portions separated by oppositely directed front and rear rim surface portions and the rear rim surface portion facing the front flange surface portion.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for sealing a perforation in the wall of, for example, a blood vessel. The device is in the form of a two part closure which seals the hole by clamping the tissue surrounding the hole from both the inside and the outside of the vessel. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, two rivet portions are provided which are bayonet or screw threadedly interlocked to clamp the vessel wall about the perforation. An alternate embodiment applies heat to couple the rivet parts as well as to cauterize the wound site. Heat may also advantageously be used to separate the rivet from its delivery system.

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: A modular fastening system which is integrally molded as part of a plastic member which is being fastened to another member is disclosed. The fastening system comprises a locking member and a movable positioning means for selectively permitting the locking member to move between locked and unlocked positions. The position means is connected to the plastic member during the molding process and easily broken away during the assembly process and positioned in the plastic member to complete the fastening process. Because the positioning means is molded as an integral part of the plastic member, no loose fasteners or additional pieces are required.

Abstract: A connection device for toy construction sets comprises a cylindrical socket and a bolt-like locking element inserted therein. The socket is inserted into the bores of the construction elements to be connected and is provided at one end with a radially protruding outer edge shoulder as a retaining member as well as longitudinal slots. The locking element (9) is rotatable within the socket, but fixed axially and rotation of the locking element causes the socket to lock within the construction element.

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: 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: A flexible grounding element comprises a rectangular base portion, and a pair of side portions extending obliquely and upward from the edges of the base portion. Each of the side portions includes a pair of slots at the intermediate portion of its edges. One of the side portions bends toward the other one of the side portions at the location adjacent to the slot to form a bend portion. The front end of the bend portion bends upward to form an end portion which contactably touches the inner side of the other side portion. As the side portions are being pressed, a portion of each side portion will pass through the hole of a mother board, and as the side portions are released, the slots thereof will urge against the inner rim of the hole to effect positioning. Furthermore, each corner of the base portion has a flexible plate which includes a protrusion at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: An improved locking cap for mounting on the smooth flexible filament of a surgical fastener wherein the locking cap is of a thin flat washer-like shape with gripping elements for engaging the filament and locking the cap in position relative to the filament.

Abstract: An end stop for use in a magazine for carrying components. The end stop comprises a head that overlies one of a set aligned apertures in a magazine. A leg projecting from the head passes through the apertures to obstruct an opening at the end of the magazine. A retaining structure hinged to an intermediate portion of the leg extends toward the head and is spaced from a top wall of the structure. As the end stop is inserted, the wall of the magazine pivots the retaining means. After the retaining means passes through the wall, the retaining means relaxes to overlie the wall and capture the end stop to the magazine.

Abstract: A clip for securing an inner shield to a frame of a cathode ray tube having apertures coaxial with one another which comprises a central elastic bent portion shaped to enter the apertures; a pair of first bent side portions extending from the central elastic bent portion and shaped to seat in the apertures when the clip is inserted into the aperture; a pair of second bent side portions extending from respective ones of the first bent side portions and being divergent with respect to each other; a pair of elastic bent portions extending from respective ones of the second bent side portions and being bent outwardly and back toward the pair of first bent side portions; and a pair of elastic grasping portions extending from respective ones of the elastic bent portions essentially parallel with each other and ending at a plane transecting both of the pair of first bent side portions to engage an upper surface of the inner shield when the clip is inserted into the apertures.

Abstract: A molded connector housing (10) has respective pairs of integrally-molded latching fingers (18,20,21) for quick assembly to respective mother and daughter boards (11,12). A locking plunger (25) is received between the pairs of latching fingers (18,20,21) to secure the assembly. The plunger (25) may also be used with an axially-compressible fastener or grommet (43). In lieu of the latching fingers, an integrally-molded fastener (50) cooperates with a conical nut (52) having circumferentially-spaced ears (53) slidably received in slots (51) in the fastener.

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 securement member (13-18) has a relatively rigid foot (4-25) adapted to be secured on a first member (1) and prolonged by a body (5-19) provided in at least one region of its side surface with protuberant elastic hooking formations (7-20), and a seat (8-23) provided in the second member (2) whose internal side wall (9-24') has a shape of revolution, and adapted to receive with friction the body (5-19) and the hooking formations (7-20). The securement member (3-18) and the seat (8) comprise a mutual unlocking assembly (13-22, 24) permitting, by movement of rotation between the securement member (3-18) and the seat (8-23), effecting the escape of the hooking formations from the side wall of the seat. The invention is particularly applicable to devices for securing an appliance housing on a wall.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for securing a first panel member to a second panel member in a spaced-apart relationship. The fastener comprises a tubular shank portion having first and second end portions, a cavity being formed in the shank portion. A first spring member is secured on the outside of the shank portion and has openings near the first end of the shank portion to enable steel ball members to protrude therefrom. Inside the shank portion cavity is a stepped pin member that is spring loaded and held in place by a combination of the shank portion spring ball retention feature and step angles formed on the pin member.

Abstract: A hitch pin is arranged for coupling a tongue relative to a socket of a conventional hitch structure to include a central cylindrical body formed with a top plate member mounted to the body. The top plate member includes a plurality of first diametrically disposed latch members, each latch member including a concave saddle positioned at an upper end of each latch member at an upper end of a ramp of each latch member to receive a handle loop upon each saddle to withdraw a central lock rod through the cylindrical shaft. The lock rod includes an actuator plug mounted to the lock rod spaced from a lower terminal end thereof to effect displacement of a plurality of locking legs exteriorly of the shaft. The lower terminal end portion of the lock rod includes a lock rod lower end plate to capture a spring between the lower end plate and a cylindrical shaft cavity floor.

Abstract: A modular fastening system which is integrally molded as part of a plastic member which is being fastened to another member is disclosed. The fastening system comprises a locking member and a movable positioning means for selectively permitting the locking member to move between locked and unlocked positions. The position means is connected to the plastic member during the molding process and easily broken away during the assembly process and positioned in the plastic member to complete the fastening process. Because the positioning means is molded as an integral part of the plastic member, no loose fasteners or additional pieces are required.

Abstract: A snap fit cable retainer is illustrated for accommodating multiple diameter cables in a snug fit configuration by having the bit portion between adjacent side legs being closer to the extremities of the legs than is the main bit portion of the overall connector. In this way, large diameter cables can be run lengthwise through the retainer and smaller diameter cables can be run crosswise through the retainer. The retainer can also accommodate a layer of cables in each direction simultaneously by placing the lower level in the crosswise direction through the retainer and the second layer on top in the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: A fastener assembly operative to interconnect flexible panels and other objects has a female piece and male piece which may be releasably fastened together. The female piece includes a web and a pair of opposed flanges which terminate in spaced-apart hook portions to provide a locking channel. The hook portions have interior first locking faces. The male piece includes a web with an enlarged male rib on an edge thereof so that the male rib provides outwardly projecting shoulders which have second locking faces. The male rib may be inserted through an entryway into said channel so as to be received in close-fitted engagement therein as it is engulfed by the flanges. The locking faces of the female and male piece engage one another to prevent withdrawal of the male rib under tension. However, the female and male pieces are constructed of stiff, resilient material so that the male rib may be cammed out of the channel by a torsional force.

Abstract: An improved cable retainer for a motion transmitting remote control assembly that can be installed in either direction. The retainer can also be easily molded. A generally elliptical and symmetrical shape is defined by two flexible side walls, which merge to form two rounded ends. Either end can be pushed down into a panel aperture, flexing the side walls in. A cable passage is formed in each end, so that two cables, or different parts of the same cable, can be supported by only one retainer. The retainer has a fail safe feature so that the cable will always stay with the panel, even if it slips out of the passage. In addition, no surface of the retainer has any concavities relative to a central axis, so that it may be axial draw molded with only two molds.

Abstract: The clip comprises an arm (4) and an elongate portion (1) intended to be brought against each other in order to grip the edge of a piece of fabric between jaws (2 and 3). The elongate portion (1) and the arm (4) are then driven into soft ground so that the fabric is held down against the wind.

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: Disclosed herein is an adhesive- and fastener-free footing pad including a pad seat located in the bottom of a housing, a protrudent ring corresponding to the circumference of the pad seat forward on the housing and a footing pad. The pad seat has a circular block, the footing pad has a plurality of claw elements each with a reserve hook so that when the footing pad is installed, the reserves hooks are retained by the circular block, and the footing pad is positioned by the protrudent ring to secure the footing pad to the pad seat firmly. Such a design can prevent displacement of the footing pad after its installation, and can withstand a considerable thrust.

Abstract: A rotatable fastener for attaching trim strips to vehicle window assemblies and other vehicular trim supports includes a pair of trim engaging flanges at one end of a central shaft and a retaining head at the other end. The flanges are beveled to engage the edges of a trim strip slot upon one-quarter turn rotation after insertion through an aperture in the window assembly or trim support. The retaining head includes recesses for engaging projections on the window assembly or trim support after rotation to resist removal. The flanges are preferably offset and the aperture shaped to receive the offset flanges and central shaft to resist fastener movement in the aperture and slot. Alternately, the fastener may include a planar head while the flanges may each include a flexible portion and slot for reducing the width of the flanges upon insertion.

Abstract: A supportive ground clip for a computer system board mounted in a computer chassis and a method for installing a grounded printed circuit board in a computer chassis using the supportive ground clip. The supportive ground clip includes a base member for providing a grounding connection with the chassis, flexible support members attached to opposite ends of the base member and ascending vertical members attached to the flexible support members for mounting the supportive ground clip to the computer system board. Each of the flexible support members includes a contact point for providing a grounding connection with the bottom side of the computer system board and each of the ascending vertical members includes a contact point for providing a grounding connection with the top side of the computer system board. The first and second flexible support members are shaped such that compressive forces exerted on the supportive ground clip support the computer system board within the chassis.

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: A snap-fit fastener assembly including a receptacle member and a post member. The receptacle member is attachable to a first body such as a section of canvas or the like and the post member is attachable to a second body such as the side of a boat or the like. The receptacle member is a unitary single piece body integrally formed of a suitable plastic material and the post member includes an attachment portion and a head portion. Post engaging portions are integrally formed on the inside of the receptacle member for consistently, repeatably and securely engaging the post member in a snap-fit action such that the section of canvas may be retainably attached across the sides of the boat for covering the boat. A flexible arm with an upstanding protrusion is formed on the inside of the receptacle member for engaging a cooperatively formed groove formed on an underside of the head portion of the post member.

Abstract: To latch at circuit component such as a connector to a circuit substrate prior to the soldering, latching members are provided which can be fitted by hand or by machine. The latching member comprises a base part from which at least two resilient legs extend in the same direction. These legs attempt to assume a deflected position with respect to each other as a result of their resiliency. The legs are provided with shoulders for acting onto the circuit substrate in the assembled state. Preferably, the latching member is constructed as an integra wire-type entity. Further, an apparatus for inserting the latching member in a mounting aperture of a circuit component is provided.

Abstract: A universal material clip for use in multiple panel joining in end to end relationship. The clip comprises a unitary body member with multiple dependent legs extending from a central portion. The clip is positioned on a first panel to be joined and then the panel with clip attached is engaged to a second panel wedgeably securing the first and second panels together. The clip adjusts to independent panel thicknesses thus equalizing the finished surface of the two panels.