Abstract: A retention clip cooperates with a bolt and a flange through which the bolt passes to retain the bolt during blind assembly. Opening 28 in flange 26 receives bolt 24. Retention clip 40 is retained with extension 50 in recess 34 by engagement of the clip with the bolt. The clip in turn retains bolt 24 by engaging head 22 with arms 52. Surface 32 is adjacent to flat 60 resisting rotation of the bolt.

Abstract: A fastening clip device which includes a resiliently deformable U-shaped clip having two legs connected by a base. An arc-shaped tongue originating from one of the legs has a free end which can exit through or co-operate with the edge of an opening. By virtue of this construction, the clip is maintained open before clipping and allowed to close after clipping.

Abstract: A caged fastener adapted to be mounted in a hollow frame member without welding comprises a fastener body having a threaded bore therein and a cage enclosing the fastener body and providing it a limited range of movement in at least one direction and providing access to the threaded bore. Holding members comprising rigid and spring members extend from the cage and frictionally fit inside the hollow frame member. The spring resilience of the spring member allows the caged fastener to be snapped in place and retained in the frame member.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved floating caged nut having a first cage in the shape of a U in cross-section in which a collar nut is retained in a floating manner, this first cage being housed inside a second cage also in the shape of a U in cross-section and whose legs have openings co-operating with protruding lugs provided on the legs of the first cage to thus permit the removable mounting of the first cage in the second cage, by simple pinching of the legs.

Abstract: A device for fixing an element to an outer surface of a support wall of a hollow body in proximity to a first partition wall of this body perpendicular to said surface, including a bolt which extends through a part of the element and said support wall and cooperates with a nut bearing against an inner wall of the hollow body, parallel to said outer surface, wherein the nut is constituted by a plate in which is provided at least one tapped hole and to which is elastically fixed a fastener extending through an opening in the first partition wall. This opening permits the introduction of the plate, the fastener being itself elastically fixed to the first partition wall.

Abstract: An insulator device to be inserted between a power transformer and a conductive chassis. Insulative washers are monolithically formed with the spacer. One washer is formed for each screw holding the transformer to the chassis. Each washer has a cylindrical protrusion which fits into a hole in the spacer. The screw extends through the washer, protrusion and spacer so as to be insulated from the transformer.

Abstract: A hold out spring is provided on a threaded bolt. The bolt is adapted to be inserted through a hole in a panel. The hold out spring is inserted into a bore in the bolt, riding in spaced diametrically opposed internal grooves therein, the hold out spring extending out of a slot in the bolt. A washer having inwardly extending tabs is now installed on the shank of the bolt, the tabs riding in grooves extending along the outer body of the bolt and stopped in their downward movement by engagement with a stop ring mounted in a groove adjacent the nose of the bolt.

Abstract: A fastener for use in attaching structural channel members having slots extending along one side of the channel to other channel members or other structural elements. The fastener includes retaining means for holding the fastener in a selected position along the channel slot ready to receive a fastening bolt or the like for connecting the channel member to an additional structural member. The retaining means is designed so that during connection of the structural members the retaining means will be displaced and direct contact between the structural members being attached will be achieved.

Abstract: An improved nut fastener is utilize with a back-up plate to perfect a bolted flange joint. The fastener includes a cage having a planar body affixed to the back-up plate in bearing engagement with a surface thereof. Opposed sides upstanding from the cage body are configured to loosely capture a spherical faced washer, a spherical faced nut, and a nut anti-torque collar in self-aligning relation with a joint bolt hole. An extension of either the cage body or the collar is configured to engage the back-up plate in a manner to inhibit rotation of the cage.

Abstract: An integral hold out spring and built-in stop ring is provided on a threaded bolt. The bolt is adapted to be inserted through a hole in a panel. The hold out spring and built-in stop ring is inserted into a bore in the bolt, the hold out spring portion extending out of a slot in the bolt and the built-in stop ring portion entering a groove adjacent the nose of the bolt. In one embodiment of the invention, a washer having inwardly extending tabs is installed on the shank of the bolt prior to insertion of the built-in stop ring portion, the tabs riding in grooves extending along the outer body of the bolt and stopped in their downward movement by engagement with the built-in stop ring portion.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for floatingly retaining or captivating at least one fastener is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a flexible channel member with discrete projections extending from opposed flange portions towards each other and at least one fastener having a base which is captivated between the discrete projections and a web portion of the channel member. The projections extending from at least one flange portion are configured to present a camming surface to a fastener base as it is being inserted into the channel member through the opening between opposed projections to cause the channel member to elastically flex and to move at least one flange portion outwardly to permit the fastener base to be seated in the channel member through the opening. The projections are further configured to present removal of the fastener base from the channel member through the opening as long as the channel member remains unflexed.

Abstract: A plurality of nut inserts (40) and an elongated channel (10) form a gang nut assembly. The channel (10) is formed to include a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart nut receiving openings (28). These openings (28) are partially defined by opposed recesses (24, 26) in flanges (18, 20). The nut insert (40) has a base length (LB) which is smaller than the length (Y) of the opening (28). It also has end walls (44, 46) which diverge apart as they extend upwardly from a base (42). The base (42) is put into registry with the opening (28) and the nut insert (40), is pushed upon, to force it through the opening (28). The sloping outer surfaces of the end walls (44, 46) contact flange edges (30, 32, 34, 36). This causes the end walls (44, 46) to spring together, in response to the push on the nut insert (40), allowing the nut insert (40) to pass through the opening (28).

Abstract: A nut for accommodation in an open channel section (1) is comprised by a main body (6) provided with a threaded hole (7) and a gripping means (8) connected to the main body. The gripping means comprises a clamping device (9) for co-operation with the limiting edges (3, 4) of a longitudinal opening (2) in the channel section. During insertion of the nut in the channel section the gripping means is subjected to a torque about two generally orthogonal axes, and upon completed insertion the nut is held in the correct position by means of a form and/or friction locking co-operation between the limiting edges (3, 4) of the opening (2) and indentations (12, 13) in the legs of a U-shaped loop (9) constituting the clamping device.

Abstract: A fastener clip is adapted to be pushed onto an edge of sheet materials of varying thicknesses. The clip has two legs. The first leg has a U-shaped elongated tongue cut from it and bent towards the second leg to frictionally engage a sheet material disposed between the two legs; the second leg has an integral threaded barrel for receiving a bolt. The U-shaped tongue is formed with offset bends to allow the tongue to yield when the clip is mounted on a thick sheet material.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for joining a panel to a sub-panel comprising a receptacle assembly having a threaded stud secured to the undersurface of the sub-panel. The assembly includes a bolt having an enlarged head at one end and a nose at the other end. The panel has a countersunk opening aligned with an opening in the sub-panel. The bolt is threaded for threaded engagement to the stud. The body of the bolt has a plurality of spaced grooves extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the bolt body. A retainer surrounds the bolt body having spaced ears riding in the grooves and a stop ring in a groove adjacent the nose of the bolt stops the downward movement of the retainer. In this manner, the bolt may be disposed in the countersunk opening in the panel with the retainer on the blind side of the panel and the stop ring preventing movement of the retainer off of the bolt body thus retaining the bolt to the panel.

Abstract: A composite channel and plate nut assembly comprises a U-shaped channel having a plurality of apertures in the web portion thereof immediately adjacent the flanges therein for the acceptance of a plurality of downwardly extending lugs on the plate nut whereby reaction forces are accepted directly by said channel flanges upon threading of a bolt into said nut.

Abstract: A pair of legs depending from the ring of a lock nut carrier pass through oppositely disposed arcuate slits in a spring clip and cleave to the lock nut so that the spring clip will support the nut within a metal channel framing member. The carrier and nut are locked into position ready to receive a fastener by pushing down on the carrier and spring clip with a thumb or finger and rotating the carrier legs within the arcuate slits.

Abstract: A bumper main body has a pair of recesses into each of which a blank cap is disposed and fixedly and releasably held at its clipping portions by a first arm of a U-shaped leaf nut mounted on each of projections. The blank caps each have an outer surface flush with an outer surface of the bumper main body and a blind hole aligned with one of internally threaded flanged holes of the U-shaped leaf nut. The blind hole has a thin-walled closed end which is removed when a fastening bolt is screwed through the blind hole into one of the flanged holes to fasten a license plate to the bumper main body. The blind hole is alignable with the other of the flanged holes when the clipping portions are reversely attached to the leaf nut.

Abstract: A nut retainer for use with a structural member having a nut entrance channel defined between a pair of opposed shoulders or flanges of some predetermined thickness and a nut receiving channel disposed beneath the shoulders. The nut retainer has a generally frusto-conical body constructed from a resiliently deformable polymeric material with the body smaller diameter end fixedly secured to a rectangular nut upper face in a surrounding relationship with a threaded fastener receiving opening. The body larger diameter end is spaced from the nut upper face by some predetermined distance and has a diameter greater than the width of the structural member entrance channel. The retainer body is conformed such that the body exterior side wall will engage the structural member shoulders at areas therealong which are spaced from the nut upper face by a distance which is less than the thickness of the shoulders when the nut is inserted width-wise into the entrance channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener assembly for application to a support panel to receive a threaded bolt extending through a passage in the support panel. A sheet metal element body portion has means for threadably engaging the bolt. The sheet metal element is formed with an integral attaching ramp portion of a size to pass through an open loop strap struck from a pierced transversely extending slot in the support panel. A V-shaped cut-out in said ramp portion defines a spring arm struck therefrom terminating in a downwardly bent tongue. The ramp portion has a pair of stop shoulders operative to engage the strap transversely facing walls thereby aligning the body thread engaging means with the support panel passage upon the tongue being snapped into interlocking relation with the slot.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an expansion pin consisting of a shank which at one end is provided with means for securing articles and at the other end is provided with a point. In order to obtain an anchoring having further expansion effect, the shank has an aperture in the form of a slot in which there is inserted a plastically and/or resiliently deformable insert which thickens the shank of the expansion pin in the region of the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and article of manufacture for angularly connecting two plates. A first plate is notched. The second plate has an opening. A holding member is adapted to fit into the notch in the first plate. The holding member has a guiding channel for a fastener. The fastener is passed through the opening in the second plate and into the guided channel of the holding member and is guided into direct mechanical connection with both sides of the second slot of the first plate.

Abstract: A sheet metal fastener (100) preferably for self retention to a panel (112) having a slotted aperture (130) therethrough and for receipt of an externally threaded fastener (136) is provided. The fastener defines a first (114) and second (126) thread engaging slot for engagement of externally threaded fasteners at two axially spaced external threads.

Abstract: A fastener for securing parts to metal framing (e.g., channel framing) having side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The fastener comprises an elongate body or nut having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than the width of the slot. The fastener also includes a clamp member secured to the body having portions generally adjacent opposite sides of the body engageable with the outside face of the framing when the body is aligned with, entered into and passed through the slot in the framing. These portions remain substantially stationary with respect to the body when the latter is turned to its crosswise position. The clamping member also has resilient clamping portions generally adjacent opposite ends of the body engageable with the outside face of the framing when the body is turned to its crosswise position.

Abstract: A composite fastener for use in attaching a splash guard to a free edge of a flange in a vehicle wheel well and including a sheet metal S-clip, a washer head screw retained against rotation in the clip so that the shank projects from one side of the S-clip and a nut on the outer end of the screw shank. The space between the intermediate leg and the outer leg of the S-clip opposite the screw is adapted to receive the free edge of the flange therein. The screw shank penetrates a portion of the splash guard which is retained by the nut.

Abstract: A sheet metal clinch nut configured to be attached to a plastic panel. A portion of the plastic panel is extruded into a toothed aperture without puncturing the plastic to axially and rotationally fix the clinch nut to the panel. A plurality of embodiments are disclosed as is the method of assembling these clinch nuts to the plastic panel. Also a method of feeding an interconnected strip of clinch nuts and breaking off the lead nut at the staking station is described.

Abstract: An attachment clip for attachment of splash guards on automotive vehicles is provided for use in conjunction with a sheet-form element of a vehicle wheel well. This attachment clip comprises a metal clip having a Z-shaped configuration, formed with two outer legs cooperating with a center interconnecting bar to form a clamping element with respect to one outer leg and the interconnecting bar to securely engage with a sheet-form support element. The other outer leg has a T-shaped slot with a channel through which a fastener element passes to secure the clip to an article such as an automobile splash guard. The fastener element includes a bolt having a head and a shank and securing means. The interconnecting bar has punched from it a spring tongue which projects towards the channel of the T-shaped slot to retain the fastener element in a relatively fixed position against the one leg of the clip and to enter into a screwdriver slot in the bolt head to prevent rotation.

Abstract: A nut device permitting securement of and to thin panel members. An axially extending, internally threaded shank has two laterally extending flanges interconnected to one end, the flanges being bent downward. Two beam members extend laterally from the shank in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the flanges, the ends of the beam members being bent upwardly toward the flanges. The nut is inserted in a slot in the panel by positioning the beam members parallel to the slot, pushing downwardly on the beam members to flex the flanges so that the beam members may be rotated clockwise beneath the panel. The flanges and beam members cooperate to frictionally clamp the panel and resist lateral and rotational displacement relative to the panel. A specially configured tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A two piece tubular standoff bushing especially suited for use as a spacer for separating or stacking structural components that require isolation, with the bushing consisting of an anchor housing providing a central bore including internal restraining members and a two-walled locking member insertable therein with the restraining members projecting inwardly between the walls and behind a locking ring for fastening the standoff bushing to a structural member.

Abstract: A clip nut assembly for use with thin sheet material which includes a generally D-shaped resilient clip having first and second generally parallel clamping portions biased together by an arcuate biasing strip for clampingly engaging opposite faces of a sheet inserted therebetween. A threaded nut is assembled with the second clamping portion for movement therewith. The biasing strip interconnects one end of the first clamping portion with the opposite end of the second clamping portion. This configuration allows the second clamping portion to pivot about two parallel axes and into parallel alignment with the first clamping portion during insertion of the sheet between the clamping portions to automatically align the nut for receivingly engaging a threaded bolt inserted through the sheet. The biasing strip includes an elongated generally diamond shaped aperture which gives the strip a constant strain geometry.

Abstract: The present connecting device for joining sheet metal components has a la of synthetic material at least in the area of the contact surfaces with neighboring components thus effectively preventing contact corrosion.

Abstract: A screw retainer comprises a substantially flat clip having a central resilient tang engaged by a screw for preventing withdrawal of the screw from an opening. Engagement of the screw with the tang also causes a reversely curved porton of the tang to engage an abutment for preventing withdrawal of the clip from a slot in which it is positioned adjacent a screw receiving hole.

Abstract: Isolation fasteners for securing one structural part to another in such a way as to minimize transmission of vibration and sound from one part to the other comprising, in combination, fastening means for securing the parts to each other and interposable elastomeric systems designed to be disposed between the parts and about the fastening means.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for blind assembly to a support panel includes a bolt retained in one leg of a pair of spaced apart legs of an attaching clip so that a leg having the bolt secured thereto can be inserted through a T-slot in the support panel. The spaced apart legs of the attaching clip firmly grip opposite sides of the support panel to provide improved retention of the fastener assembly to the support panel with the one leg providing additional support for the head of the bolt on the blind side of the support panel.

Abstract: A fastener for securing parts to metal framing such as channel framing having side flanges with inwardly, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The fastener comprises an elongate body or nut having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than that of the slot. The fastener also includes a clamp member secured to the nut for clamping the nut on the channel. The clamp member has a crosshead which is spaced outwardly from the outside face of the nut and which is longer than the width of the slot.

Abstract: The invention concerns metal cages for set screw--cage systems intended to be mounted on a metal sheet accessible from only one of its faces. According to one aspect of the invention, the sidewalls 4 of the cage 3 of such a system are provided with an annular rib 16 projecting radially outwards, the external diameter of cage 3 at the rib 16 being slightly greater than the diameter of the hole 12 in which the cage is engaged, owing to which the cage is axially locked on the metal sheet. Dies are provided for the shaping of cage members. The invention finds application particularly in the fitting out of the bodies of vehicles.