Nonmetallic Nut, Resiliently Deformed During Assembly Patents (Class 411/182)
  • Publication number: 20010004099
    Abstract: A fastening fixture of a simple and compact structure comprising: a fixture body; a screw having a stem portion inserted into the fixture body; and a fastening nut screwed on the stem portion of the screw. In order that a temporarily fixed state may be established by inserting the fastening nut into an entrance channel or hole into the fastening nut with the fixture body being griped and by turning the fixture body by 90 degrees, the fixture body is provided with a depending member in parallel with the stem portion of the screw, and the fastening nut is provided at its longer side edge portion with a guide portion which is regulated in its turn but allowed to move only in parallel with the stem portion of the screw by fitting on or confronting the depending member. Therefore, the fastening fixture can effect the temporary fixing and the fastening fixing simply independently of the depth or inner width of the channel or hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: Masakatsu Onishi
  • Patent number: 6244805
    Abstract: A grommet is formed with elastomeric portions and relatively rigid portions by multi-shot core injection molding. The grommet. includes a head and a shank. The head includes a central planar area of the relatively rigid material, such as nylon. The head further includes a lower layer of elastomeric material, facing the shank, which serves as a seal or washer. The head further includes an upper layer of elastomeric material which includes countersunk portions around the blind aperture which is formed in the head and extends through a portion of the shank. The shank includes a rounded nose formed on a distal portion and has elastomeric material formed on an exterior thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Everard
  • Patent number: 6238156
    Abstract: A device for mounting tubular members to structural members. The device is a unitary structure formed into two gripping arms, two flex arms and a retainer plate. Each gripping arm includes a bend and two pointed straight protrusions. Each flex arm includes two pointed bent protrusions and a stop having a bent lip. The retainer plate includes an opening for engaging a threaded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard Leibman
  • Patent number: 6233891
    Abstract: A prefabricated building system for constructing a building structure. The prefabricated building system includes a plurality of panels each comprising an outer shell substantially surrounding an inner core. The outer shell comprises a concrete material. The inner core comprises a mixture of a concrete material and particulate foamed polystyrene. A pair of reinforcing meshes are embedded in the outer core so that the inner core is interposed between the reinforcing meshes. Each reinforcing mesh has a plurality of wires arranged in a grid-like fashion forming a plurality of generally square spaces therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Keith A. De Cosse
  • Patent number: 6213700
    Abstract: The grommet includes a shank with a planar surface through which an aperture is formed. A screw is inserted into the aperture. Boss segments are formed peripherally outwardly adjacent from the aperture. The outer walls of the boss segments form a diameter equal to the diameter of an aperture of a secondary panel to be engaged. The diameter of the screw head does not exceed the diameter of the aperture to be engaged. When the screw is in the fully driven position, the lower chamfered surface of the head of the screw urges the boss segments outwardly so as to engage the secondary panel. The shank of the grommet further includes lateral flexible wings for detent engaging a primary panel with a square aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Everard
  • Patent number: 6202975
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in mounting a tubular structure on a vehicle fender includes a base member with at least one groove formed therein for receiving a tubular structure. A retaining member is preferably provided for clamping to the base member to releasably lock a tubular structure therebetween. Attachment members may be pressed into holes formed in a vehicle fender for receiving threaded fasteners therein to hold the apparatus in place and assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: William P. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6164885
    Abstract: A one-piece insert fastener adapted for securement within an aperture in a panel by a threaded member. The insert fastener includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of outwardly protruding wings and a single-threaded, helical edge which is shaped to define a opening. The insert fastener also includes a pair of resilient, spaced apart legs which are formed on and protrude out from the base. Each of the pair of legs includes an outwardly angled upper section, an inwardly angled middle section and a lower section. In use, the insert fastener is disposed into the aperture in the panel until the pair of wings abuts against the outer surface of the panel. The threaded member is rotatably driven into the opening in the base and is engaged by the helical edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: American Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Roytberg, Howard N. Wieland
  • Patent number: 6145173
    Abstract: An article attaching device is used for attaching, for example, a rear seat to an under panel of an automobile. The article attaching device is inserted into an attaching hole of the under panel to be fixed thereto, and then a hook fixed to the rear seat is inserted into the box portion to engage engaging portions provided on opposed inner sides of the box portion. The engaging portions opposing each other are shifted in the horizontal direction not to overlap each other. Thus, an article, i.e. hook, can be easily inserted into the article attaching device while providing a high extracting force of the article, which results in good workability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Suzuki, Yasuhiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 6095734
    Abstract: A pushnut fastener having a substantially planar base portion from which a cylindrical sleeve is drawn and internally threaded. A pair of angled leg portions extending from opposing lateral edges of the base portion, each including a laterally extending tab partially extending into a space formed between said leg portions for engaging threads of a mating male fastener. The leg portions are preferably defined by inner and outer leg sections, each outer leg section including an inwardly angled section which engages the edges of a mounting hole of a panel into which the pushnut is seated during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Transtechnology Corp.
    Inventors: Reynaldo M. Postadan, John E. Baldowski, Dave Ballantyne
  • Patent number: 6059502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic nut for inserting into a through-hole in a panel-like component, the plastic nut comprising retaining parts, of which one is designed as a flange which can be pressed onto the component from the fitting side and another is designed as snap-action hooks which can be pressed on from the opposite side and are intended for latching in behind the component, the retaining parts being provided with a nut part which has a receiving bore for a screw, the flange being a constituent part of a flange part which encloses the nut part, and it being possible for the nut part to be pressed in the direction of the flange, in which case the nut part, which can be moved axially with respect to the flange part, is pressed in the direction of the flange part by an elastic supporting arrangement which forms a spring zone, it being the case that, once the plastic nut has been inserted, the spring zone brings the nut part and the flange part into abutment against the component, different thicknesse
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: EJOT Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gottfried Konig, Stephan Weitzel
  • Patent number: 6052274
    Abstract: A fastener temporarily attaches articles through aligned apertures in the articles including a nut plate allowing the articles to be assembled by one assembler. The fastener has a flange, a cylindrical sleeve, and a solid pin. The flange ensures that the fastener does not pass completely through the aligned apertures. The sleeve supports articles and couples with the flange on one end of the sleeve and the solid pin on the other end of the sleeve. The solid pin can support a nut plate and further engages the threads in the nut plate through friction. The juncture between the sleeve and the solid pin is formed to allow the pin to break away from the cylindrical sleeve when pressure is applied. A screw or other threaded fastener is inserted through the cylindrical sleeve and pressed against the solid pin. Once the solid pin breaks away, the threads on the screw engage with the corresponding threads on the nut plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventor: Ralph Remsburg
  • Patent number: 6027372
    Abstract: A device for fixing an electric connector to a mother board is disclosed. The device includes a mounting flange integrally formed at a bottom corner of the electric connector, a nut having a hexagonal head portion and a neck portion, and a bolt. The mounting flange defines a nut receiving hole having a hexagonal hole portion and forms a locking tooth extending into the nut receiving hole. When the nut is pressed into the nut receiving hole to reach a position in which the hexagonal head portion fits the hexagonal hole portion, the nut is fixedly locked in position by the locking tooth engaging with the neck portion of the nut. The bolt extends from a bottom through the mother board to threadedly engage with the nut fixedly received in the nut receiving hole to firmly fix the connector to the mother board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Ho Lai, Wen-Chun Pei
  • Patent number: 6017136
    Abstract: An adjusting apparatus for the reflector in an automotive lamp assembly has a screw, a mounting clip for mounting the adjusting apparatus to the reflector, and a retainer clip for positioning the adjusting apparatus such that it can properly adjust the reflector. The adjusting apparatus can be installed as a unitary piece through the lens, or through the support from of the automotive lamp assembly. The adjusting apparatus reduces the labor required to assemble the automotive lamp assembly and the number of parts the assembler must keep in inventory. Thus, the overall cost to produce a completed automotive lamp assembly is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 6003399
    Abstract: A cover and housing having a mounting arrangement, especially for a selector lever housing. According to the invention, the cover is fastened by means of two bearing points to provide a method of fastening a cover that can be mounted simply without adjustment and provides an exact fit for the cover. The first bearing point is made cylindrical and the axis of this cylinder runs parallel to a mounting direction or placement direction of the cover. The second bearing point is made wedge-shaped and the wedge axis lies in a plane that is perpendicular to the mounting direction or placement direction and is aligned so that it is not parallel to a tangent at the first cylindrical bearing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Ralph-Maria Netzker, Peter Hobel, Helmut Gocht, Andreas Gutschner
  • Patent number: 5980175
    Abstract: A body, plastic molded, comprises a plate with an integral, extending hub, having a throughgoing bore in which to nest a coaxial coupler. The hub has an outer periphery which is uniformly fluted, for holding the hub fast to the inner surface of a hub-receiving hole formed in a wall, floor, or ceiling of a structure, while the plate unobtrusively interfaces the planar surface of the structure. Consequently, a coaxial coupler can be emplaced, securely, without need for a supporting junction box, vertical stud, or any such prop, anywhere in a wall, floor or ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Dean C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5967467
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a fixture which enables ready, accurate and positive preliminary mounting of an electric line part in completely one operation without the need for any screwing operation, regardless of a change in the width and height of the channel flanges of a channel rail and also, enables ready and positive permanent securement of the electric line part, and which allows an operator to extremely easily, positively and efficiently carry out this type of operation without the need for any skill.A means for clamping electric line parts according to the present invention comprises a fixture body 1 having a part attached to a channel rail 4, a bolt 2, and a clamp 3 threadedly engaged with the bolt 2. The clamp 3 includes a central nut 3B, pivot pins 8, 8 mounted to the nut 3B, a pair of right and left clamping elements 3A, 3A pivotable about the horizontal pivot pins 8, 8, and a protrusion 8a extending outwardly from one side of the nut 3B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventors: Yoshio Onishi, Masakatsu Onishi
  • Patent number: 5953961
    Abstract: A connection between a collapsible mast jacket of an energy absorbing steering column and a body of a motor vehicle including a mounting bracket on the mast jacket having an attachment flange perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the steering column, an aperture in the attachment flange, a plastic bushing captured in the aperture, and a fastener operative to rigidly clamp the plastic bushing to the body of the motor vehicle. The plastic bushing fractures in response to an impact on the steering column to release the mounting bracket. In a preferred embodiment, retention between the attachment flange and the plastic bushing is effected by an edge of the aperture in the attachment flange seated in an annular outside groove in the plastic bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Stuedemann, Richard Kremer Riefe, Ray Garnet Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5919019
    Abstract: A nut (10) for mounting into an opening (18) located in the central part of a panel (14) includes a sleeve (16) and resilient locking trips (44,46) and panel edge securing means 948) extending from opposite sides of the nut. When the nut is positioned within the opening (18) the locking strips (44,46) obstruct removal from the opening. On a bolt (62) being fully received within the sleeve (16) both the strips and edge securing means (48) contactingly engage the panel (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: California Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5873690
    Abstract: A barrel nut type fastener (100) is provided for securement within an opening (20) to a panel ("P") by a threaded member ("T") that when rotationally advanced through the barrel nut causes free-ends (14) and (14') of resilient legs (10) and (10') to move away from each other and respectively engage and urge resilient fingers (16) and (16') into contacting engagement with opposite sides of opening (20) with sufficient force to secure fastener (100) to panel, ("P").
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Richard Danby, James Richard Mumby
  • Patent number: 5871320
    Abstract: A retaining device for securing insulation to sheet metal has a flange, an articulated structure and a push plate having an aperture therethrough such that when the retainer, except for the flange, is inserted in a hole in the insulation layer it allows a push plate to be pushed towards the flange, causing a pair of locking fingers to pivot and press up against the underside of the insulation in a locked position. The retaining device is then frictionally fitted over a stud member on the sheet metal to which the insulation layer is to be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Zdravko Kovac
  • Patent number: 5860576
    Abstract: A vehicle roof rack assembly for retaining a roof rack to the roof of a vehicle. The assembly includes a plurality of spanners which span a pair of spaced round holes through the roof of the vehicle at preselected locations. Each spanner includes a main body portion having spaced integral downwardly extending insert portions or apertured bosses which extend into the spaced round holes. These apertured bosses are self tapping for receiving screws therein. Thus, the rack, having holes at each end aligned with the apertured bosses, receives a self tapping screw in each apertured boss securing the rack to the roof of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Avibank Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Duran
  • Patent number: 5855461
    Abstract: An anchor for securing a threaded fastener component in a hole in a supporting panel structure, the anchor being formed of a flat sheet metal disc portion of a greater diameter than the hole and having strips attached at one end to the disc portion and extending radially inward and outward to position a tip inclined edge across the hole perimeter. The strips are cammed to be deflected inwardly as the anchor is forced into the hole with the disc portion against the front side of the supporting structure. The anchor is captured by the perimeter of the hole between the disc outer perimeter and the strip tips. The tips are captured in slotted tabs extending from the rear side of the disc portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy Tripi
  • Patent number: 5829934
    Abstract: A prevailing torque clip (100) is provided that has a head portion (4) having a frusto-conical projection (10) having an aperture (6) therethrough that is provided preferably with diametrical opposed helical thread forms (8) and (8') that are operative to threadingly engage threads of a threaded member rotationally advanced therethrough. Head portion 4 includes a pair of ressilient arms (12) and (12') that end in respective free-ends (9) and (9') that are operative to engage the threads of the threaded member and cooperate with thread forms (8) and (8') to prevent loosening thereof. Clip (100) is adapted to prevent rattle when used to secure an object to thin wall panel by being provided with at least one pair of tabs (16) and (16') that are operative to elevate clip (100) from a panel to which it is being secured sufficiently to ensure that the portion of arms (12) and (12') that are in close proximity to projection (10) are positioned within the panel opening into which arms (12) and (12') are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Danby, Todd H. Christian, Hans R. Rattmann
  • Patent number: 5831225
    Abstract: A barrier wall (20) separating a passenger compartment from an engine compartment of a motor vehicle has an acoustical barrier assembly (10) mounted thereto. The acoustical barrier assembly (10) includes a sound barrier layer (12) of a molded construction and sound dampening characteristics. At least one fastener (28) is integrally molded as a single piece with the sound barrier layer (12). The fastener (28) includes a plurality of outer spacer ribs (30) that project laterally from a tube (32) and space an inner surface (24) of the sound barrier layer (12) away from the barrier wall (20). A circumferentially extending flange head (34) is integral with the tube (32) and includes a first frusto-conical section (36) and a second inverse frusto-conical section (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Cascade Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5791845
    Abstract: A device for anchoring a threaded fastener in a drywall or blind hole is molded in one flat piece having two half cylinders joined by a thin frangible hinge. Each half-cylinder carries half of a threaded bore divided axially. When folded together the two half-cylinders form a cylindrical headed anchor with a continuously threaded passage extended part way to the hinge. A threaded fastener advances readily down the bore until the unthreaded portion is reached. The fastener, as it advances in that portion, forces the halves apart, rupturing the hinge and anchoring the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Charles Fulop
  • Patent number: 5779411
    Abstract: A clip (2) fitted by snapping into a component-carrying lug (40) and then snapped into the head (5) of a nut/pin (1). The assembly thus formed is advantageously further complemented by a screw (15) which can also be engaged in the nut and can be presented en bloc opposite a aperture (51) formed for this purpose in a support (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: ITW De France
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Vasseur, Alain Villerot
  • Patent number: 5769365
    Abstract: A device enables ready, accurate and positive preliminary mounting of an electric line part in completely one operation without the need for any screwing operation, regardless of a change in the width and height of the channel flanges of a channel rail and also, enables ready and positive permanent securement of the electric line part, and which allows an operator to extremely easily, positively and efficiently carry out this type of operation without the need for any skill. The device includes a fixture body having a part attached to a channel rail, a bolt, and a clamp threadedly engaged with the bolt. The clamp includes a central nut, pivot pins mounted to the nut, a pair of right and left clamping elements pivotable about the horizontal pivot pins and a protrusion extending outwardly from one side of the nut. The fixture body has a guide plate at a location where the fixture body is attached to the channel rail. The protrusion is guidably received in a guide slot of the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventors: Yoshio Onishi, Masakatsu Onishi
  • Patent number: 5746559
    Abstract: A self-locking nut fitted into a fitting hole of a reflector with which an aiming screw engages for adjusting an inclination angle of a reflector of a vehicular lamp, the self-locking nut comprising: a nut leading portion having slits extending in radius direction; a flange arranged below said nut leading portion; a fitting portion formed below said flange, said fitting portion having slits extending in radius direction and a pair of legs for fitting into the fitting hole of the reflector, said pair of legs being elastically expandable and having a wedge shape; a shaft hole having an inner surface, said shaft hole passing through the nut leading portion, the flange and the fitting portion in vertical direction; and a threaded portion formed on the inner surface of said shaft hole engageable with the aiming screw, the threaded portion comprising: first grooves extending from said slit of said fitting portion; second grooves positioned perpendicular to said slit of said fitting portion; a divided circumferentia
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katutada Shirai
  • Patent number: 5738476
    Abstract: A plastic fastener for securing moldings to frames in vehicles. The fastener includes minor slots formed in the fastener and adjacent to a coupling structure. The minor slots provide sufficient flexibility to allow the fastener to flex inward under pressure, thereby permitting the coupling structure to move between an engagement position and a retracted position. The fastener is pushed through an opening in the frame. The opening is sized such that the edges of the opening apply pressure to the fastener as it moves through the opening, thereby moving the coupling structure toward its retracted position. When the fastener completely in the opening, the pressure is relieved, and the coupling structure snaps back to its engagement position, thereby engaging the edges of the opening and securing the fastener thereto. The fastener may be removed from the opening by applying sufficient pressure to again move the coupling structure to its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventor: Angelo Assimakopoulos
  • Patent number: 5725343
    Abstract: A sealing fastener, which expands by the insertion of preferably a screw. The fastener comprises a substantially flat and two expandable legs. The head has an upper side and a lower side, preferably separated by a gap. The fastener has further an elastic body molded at least on the lower surface of the head. A large unexpected improvement is achieved by having the elastic body also molded in the gap between the upper surface and the lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Eustathios Vassiliou
    Inventor: Edward John Smith
  • Patent number: 5711630
    Abstract: A connector-holding member (6) has first elastic arms (1) which bend in a fitting direction of connectors, and second elastic arms (2) which bend in a direction perpendicular to the connector-fitting direction. Each second arm has a positioning projection (4) for positioning the holding member relative to the panel, and a guide portion (5) extending in the connector-fitting direction from the positioning projection (4) to a point close to the first elastic arm (1). The connector-holding member (6) is held in position, with the positioning projections (4) and the first arms (1) abutting against the panel from opposite sides thereof, and the connector-holding member (6) is movable in the connector-fitting direction within the range of the length of the guide portion (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 5707097
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for fastening a vehicle hood shield to a vehicle hood, the hood shield having a mounting flange with spaced apart slots therein and the hood having spaced apart mounting apertures. The fastener assembly includes an insert or plug which has a head and legs depending from the head and receivable in the hood apertures. The insert or plug also has lugs for receipt in the hood shield slots. A screw fastener screwed into the insert or plug causes the legs to move outwardly and engage a hood mounting aperture and also serves to secure the hood shield to the insert or plug and thus the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Rodney Edward Horwill
  • Patent number: 5694719
    Abstract: A fastener system (210) for adjustably attaching or mounting an automotive vehicle window channel member or guide rail (214) to or upon an automotive vehicle inner door panel (212) so that the automotive vehicle window channel member or guide rail (214) can be disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the automotive vehicle inner door panel (212) includes a nut member (234) mounted upon the inner door panel (212), and a shaft or rod portion (264) of the window channel member or guide rail (214) is inserted through the nut member (234). A tubular fastener screw or bolt (224) is inserted over the shaft or rod portion (264) of the window channel member or guide rail (214) so as to also be inserted within the nut member (234).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Daniel Carl Bejune, Marcus Edward Merideth
  • Patent number: 5692953
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle cowl cover assembly has a body cowl surface made of a material with a first coefficient of thermal expansion and an elongated ventilation screen covering the air intake opening with ventilation slots therein made from a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The body cowl surface has a plurality of laterally spaced, rectangularly shaped body apertures and the screen has a plurality of circular mounting apertures formed therethrough registerable with the plurality of body mounting apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary T. Bell, Melvyn J. Clough, Willard R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5649783
    Abstract: A retainer for seat which can be molded by a pair of metal molds and which prevents water from entering into a portion which locks a hook member. The retainer for seat comprises: a box-shaped leg body with an opening being inserted through a mounting hole; a flange extending outwardly from a vicinity of the opening; pawl portions protruding from outer surfaces of the leg body, and the peripheral edge of the mounting hole is held between the pawl portions and the flange; and retaining bodies protruding from the inner surfaces of the leg body in the direction of approaching each other, and resiliently retaining a hook member which is inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Kouji Ichikawa, Seiichi Yuda
  • Patent number: 5645384
    Abstract: A one-part, front mounted receptacle 1 for a quick release fastener has a first element 11 which provides a retention mechanism 12 for engaging and retaining a stud of the fastener. A second element 16 having a pair of flexible elongate components 17 is spaced from the first by a bight portion 14 and has a pair of transverse tabs 19 disposed adjacent the bight portion. These are adapted to engage one face 33 of a support 30, in an aperture 31 of which the receptacle is mounted. In use, the bight portion 14 engages the other face 32. A third element 20 is disposed at the opposite end of the second element 16 from the bight portion 14 and has a flexible barb portion 23 arranged to flex on insertion of the receptacle in the aperture and to engage the other face after insertion in order to retain the receptacle in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Dzus Fastener Europe Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Charles Walden Wright, Derrin John Bond
  • Patent number: 5645282
    Abstract: A flexible plastic grommet is received in an aperture of an internal combustion engine with the multiple purposes of frictionally engaging the gasket to prevent separation, locating the gasket with respect to separate but communicating components, and retaining a threaded fastener in the grommet which is used to join the mechanical components. The grommet comprises a sidewall with a plurality of symmetrically spaced circumferentially disposed grooves that extend longitudinally along the grommet. An innermost periphery of the sidewall is defined by a base of each of the grooves while an outermost periphery of the sidewall extends circumferentially between each of the grooves. The innermost periphery and the outermost periphery of the sidewall comprise a plurality of locking projections extending radially away from the sidewall to promote frictional engagement between the grommet and the gasket, fastener, and the one of the mechanical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome G. Belter
  • Patent number: 5636891
    Abstract: A vehicle accessory has a mounting wall with an elongated slot which slideably receives a snap-in fastener which is fixed in the orthogonal direction of installation of the snap-in fastener. The fastener cooperates with an elongated slot formed in a vehicle support structure which slot extends orthogonally to the slot in the vehicle accessory such that the fastener can be moved into alignment on two axes to align with the aperture in the vehicle for insertion of the fastener and installation of the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Kim L. Van Order, Nels R. Smith, Dean T. Miller
  • Patent number: 5632584
    Abstract: A blind snap mounted clip fastener for anchoring into a round hole pattern stamped from a single sheet metal piece with a base portion (50) that is substantially flat, from which a cylindrical sleeve (24) is drawn and internally threaded. A pair of locking arms (26a) and (26b) projecting outwardly from the base portion, with an anti-rotate tab (20) projecting outwardly from a locking arm (26a) and bent downwardly and perpendicularly to the locking arm. A pair of spaced apart cylindrical shaped segments (28) projecting outwardly from base portion (50) and bent downwardly generally perpendicular and concentric to the sleeve. Along the vertical surface of each cylinder segment, a locking pawl (22) is sheared, shaped and bent outwardly away from the segment with its top edge placed at a predetermined distance from the top surface of the base portion and concentric to the segment perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Martin Acevedo
  • Patent number: 5616052
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing (30) adapted to be mounted on a PC board (60). The housing (32) includes a pair of kit receiving holes (34) for receiving a pair of corresponding screw mounting kits (36) therein. Each screw mounting kit (36) includes a head portion (38) at the top with internal threads, a tubular portion (40) in the middle and a truncated tubular conical portion (42) at the bottom wherein a plurality of slots (44) extend axially through the tubular portion (40) and the conical portion (42). Corresponding, the kit receiving hole (34) in the housing (32) includes a large section (46) at the top, a narrow section (48) in the middle and a medium section (50) at the bottom for receiving the head portion 38, the tubular portion (40) and the conical portion (42) of the kit (36), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua-Tsung Pan, Y. M. Ho
  • Patent number: 5593263
    Abstract: A snap-in type fastener (100) is provided that is adapted to have an object such as automobile trim (24) secured hereto by a threaded member such as a screw (26) and which features a pair of opposed resilient fingers (14, 14') having a contoured cross-section enabling them to flatten as they are pressed into an aperture (32) in a panel (30) until free-ends (17,17') respectively of tabs (16,16') extending respectively therefrom spring or snaps outwardly to engage the opposite side of panel (30) to lockingly secure fastener 100 (and trim 24) to panel (30) while enabling fingers (14,14') to resume their original contoured cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Clinch, Michael Danby
  • Patent number: 5593262
    Abstract: A removable plastic automobile boss has a body formed with a bore for receiving a threaded fastener. A flat seating flange is formed on the front portion of the body, the flange including left and right ears respectively protruding outwardly from the left and right sides of the body. Top and bottom ramp-shaped engagement abutments are formed on the body. Further, a slit is formed on the body such that the top and bottom engagement abutments ride against the periphery of an instrument panel receptacle when the boss is advanced into the receptacle, thereby causing the top and bottom halves to be urged toward each other to permit the boss to be fully inserted into the receptacle. The front portion snappingly resumes an engaged configuration when the engagement abutments clear the periphery to sandwich the periphery between the engagement abutments and the seating flange to engage the boss with the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Dale G. Gedeon, Mark B. Schatz, Robert J. Stephens, Shawn E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5573362
    Abstract: A clip comprised of a head portion retained to a panel, and a leg portion inserted and retained in a mounting hole. The leg portion has a leg plate, elastic legs which project out from the longitudinally-extending transverse direction sides of the leg plate so as to form curved surfaces which face each other, and pawl portions protruded from the elastic legs. Curved outer surfaces of the pawl portions are disposed on a circular locus around central points on side surfaces of the leg plate, and have a greater curvature than the curvature of the mounting hole. As a result, when the leg portion is inserted into the mounting hole, the entire peripheral surfaces of the pawl portions do not contact the peripheral wall of the mounting hole, but only point-contact the peripheral wall of the mounting hole at points. Therefore, frictional force between the mounting hole and the leg portion is small, and insertion force is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventors: Goro Asami, Eiji Ueno
  • Patent number: 5537714
    Abstract: A plastic grommet for use on metal studs in wall construction protecting wires, cabling, conduit, and the like. The grommet also makes the passing of such utilities easier and quieter. The grommet will function singularly or assembled to a clone. The grommet includes a cylindrical body having an enlarged flange on one end with radially projecting spring snaps on the exterior of the body whereby the grommet may be inserted in a sized hole in the web with the hole edge captured between the snaps and flange. On the other side of the flange are diametrically opposed axially projecting spring fingers. The flange also has two diametrically opposed holes, the fingers and holes being positioned so that two grommets can be joined flange-to-flange by axially rotating one with respect to the other. Two such grommets thus assembled on opposite sides of a rectangular or other irregular or pre-punched hole in the stud web capture the web between the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Erico International Corp.
    Inventors: Edward J. Lynch, Jr., Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 5536125
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for securing plastic panels (50) to metallic substrates (52) is provided in which a metallic nut (14) is mounted in snap-fit relationship on plastic insert (12), which is in turn engaged in snap-fit relationship on the metallic substrate (52). The nut (14) slidably engages the plastic insert (12) to permit certain movement along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the insert (12) to provide thermal compensation for the mounted plastic panel (50). The nut (14) itself utilizes the same guide lug structure (26) of the insert member (12) to both effect snap-fit retention of the nut (14) on the insert (12) and to guide the sliding movement of the nut (14) with respect to the insert (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: William D. Gaw, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5511919
    Abstract: A fastening element is provided having a fastener body including a first side and a second side, with resilient locking prongs extending from one side of the fastener body. The fastener body can include either a cavity or a shank on one of the sides. The shank or cavity can be provided with either a channel or an engagement lug for mating with a complimentary fastening element. One side of the fastener body can also be provided with a cam surface or a resilient surface to inhibit rotation between mated complimentary fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Dane C. Scalise
  • Patent number: 5503492
    Abstract: A spring formed from strip steel crimped on a threaded bolt for receiving a threaded member preferably having four arms separated by 90 degrees to form a cross and wherein the ends of the legs are cambered in order to provide greater bearing surface against each of the two walls of a corner in a tubular member when the spring member is inserted into the tubular member. Where the arms extend from the well of the spring, the arms are slightly notched in order to provide for automatic indexing. When the spring is compressed the wells formed by the spring contact the walls of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Robert E. Miller & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Y. Stevens, Robert E. Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5495389
    Abstract: A personal computer includes a frame unit and a top cover mounted to pivot upward and outward to the rear of the system, or alternately, upward to the side. One or more DASD storage devices may be mounted to extend downward from the top cover. A planar board is attached atop the lower side of the frame unit, where flexible mounting hardware allows the attachment of one of several types of planar boards. A central support structure includes a riser card plugged into a connector of the planar board, and a number of card connectors into which option cards can be plugged for electrical connection with the planar board. The central support structure also includes a bracket extending along the rear of the computer, having slots through which port connectors of the option cards can extend. The central support structure is held in engagement with the connector of the planar board by the top cover when this cover is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Dewitt, Todd A. McClurg, Jay H. Neer, Orlando Pimienta
  • Patent number: 5429467
    Abstract: A screw and grommet fastener assembly for securing two mating panels together where the grommet absorbs variations in the relative positions of the panels and allows for expansion of a body portion thereof during insertion of the screw to withstand higher torques from screws of different sizes and dimensions without causing damage to the grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Gugle, James E. Marion, Duane M. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5346347
    Abstract: A parts fastener has a body having at one of its ends a flanged head projecting from the body. For that purpose the body evinces a central cavity communicating with the outside and includes at least a wall portion of which the inner side bounds part of the cavity, and which elastically deforms under an external force applied to the wall portion. The wall portion has, on its outer side, a projection which together with the head flange bounds a jaw by means of which the fastener may be inserted into the part to which it must be affixed. The projection opens on account of the deformation of the wall portion and frees the part and the fastener from each other. The device may also include means to cause the deforming force from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Clipp-Off
    Inventors: Michel Barikosky, Christian Girardiere