Abstract: A support structure of a rotatable lever comprises a cylindrical shaft portion integrally formed with a support body; a base member connected to the support body and having a shaft hole; an auxiliary shaft member having a shaft main body supported by the cylindrical shaft portion and a projecting shaft inserted into the shaft hole of the base member and supported by the base member; a device for inserting the shaft main body into the cylindrical shaft portion; and an elastic device disposed between the base member and the shaft main body of the auxiliary shaft member and biasing, towards the cylindrical shaft portion, the rotatable lever which is disposed between the cylindrical shaft portion and the elastic device.

Abstract: A twistlock fastener is constructed of a latching member and a base member. The base member has a socket portion with a square-shaped internal bore. The latching member is formed with head portion and a shank portion. The shank portion has a cylindrical section adjacent to the head portion and has a pair of resilient bifurcated leg elements integrally formed with the cylindrical section. Each of the leg elements have a radial surface to provide a latching shoulder. Each latching lateral shoulder is formed with a width sufficient to retain the shank portion in the square-shaped internal bore. Each of the opposite side surfaces at the opposite ends of the latching shoulder for both leg elements lie in a common flat plane which is perpendicular to the latching shoulders.

Abstract: A car-mat fastener for removably securing a car-mat to a car carpet includes a latching post member, a bottom latching ring-mat member, and a top latching ring-mat member. The top member is telescoped into the bottom member for permanently securing them together and to form an eyelet extending therethrough. The post member includes a lower projecting portion for fixed attachment to the car carpet and an upper post portion for insertion through the eyelet so as to be detachably engaged with the top and bottom latching members.

Abstract: An automotive column cover has a first cover member, a second cover member to which the first cover member is secured, and a clip for connecting together these two members. The clip has a securing portion which is fitted to the first cover member and an engaging portion which is engaged with the second cover member. The first cover member has a secured portion to which the securing portion of the clip is fitted, while the second cover member has an engaged portion provided so as to face the secured portion of the first member and the engaged portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the clip. The securing portion of the clip is fitted to the secured portion of the first cover member, while the engaging portion of the clip is engaged with the engaged portion of the second cover member, whereby the two cover members are readily connected together.

Abstract: An open ended (94) boardlock (82) having a segmented (103) shank (90) is inserted into an aperture (60) of an electrical connector housing (22). The boardlock (82) is subjected to axial compression to radially expand the exposed segmented portion of the shank (20). During radial expansion the free ends (104) of the segments (103) are prevented from touching. The radially expanded segments (103) thus function as spring members deflecting inwardly toward the axis of the boardlock as the connector assembly (20) is secured to a printed circuit board (86) and providing a compliant fit in the mounting aperture (84).

Abstract: A part mounting structure for mounting a part having a boss portion on a panel having a mounting oblong hole includes a U-shaped leaf spring member made of metal for admitting and fixing thereto the boss portion of the part and a clip member made of synthetic resin for admitting the leaf spring member and engaging in the mounting oblong hole of the panel. The leaf spring member has opposite side walls thereof provided with outwardly folded engaging pieces and formed with a plurality of inwardly folded check pawls having sharp leading ends which wedge individually into the surface of the boss portion of the part.

Abstract: A coiled spring wire fastener includes a first end for engaging with the head of a bolt, a midsection of a constant diameter and a second end portion of a conically, tapered shape. In an alternative embodiment, the coiled spring wire fastener includes an annular midsection for engaging a threaded portion of a bolt, a first annular end portion connected to the annular midsection and having a smaller internal diameter than that of the midsection, and a conically tapered second end portion.

Abstract: A device for spacing boards, like printed circuit boards, or a board and a mounting surface, like an electronic device chassis, a fixed distance apart. The device is constructed to interlock with other such devices so that boards mounted with these devices may be stacked. A peg-and-notch coupling provides horizontal stability, while a bottom anchor and top latch secure the lower and upper boards, respectively, providing stable vertical stacking.

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: An improved standoff for use in assembly of an electronics device includes a generally cylindrical body with a bore hole through the longitudinal axis. A plurality of reinforcing fin-shaped members disposed radially about the outer surface provide additional rigidity to the structure as well as providing surfaces at each end of the standoff upon which circuit boards may rest. A plurality of clips may be moved under compression and passed through holes on a circuit board. Once they have passed through, they will elastically return to their normal position thus loosely, but securely, holding the circuit boards together. This allows the standoffs to hold the circuit boards together, without the use of additional nuts and bolts and conventional spacers, and also allows the passing of final assembly screws through the longitudinally bore of the spacer.

Abstract: A plastic one-piece molding fastener for an elongated object includes a holding portion for holding an elongated object, first and second leg portions depending from the holding portion, first and second elastic locking portions extending from the ends of the respective first and second leg portions toward the bottom of the holding portion so as to define therewith substantially U-shaped members, locking shoulders provided on the first and second elastic locking portions for being engaged with the edge and undersurface of a mounting hole of a mounting plate within which the elongated object is to be secured, and first and second lever portions extending in opposite directions from upper portions of the elastic locking portions and perpendicular to the axial direction of the fastened elongated object and inclined downwardly with respect to the bottom of the holding portion.

Abstract: A display vase construction for artificial flowers or other items of merchandise includes a perforated display board and a vase form which is removably mounted to the display board. The vase form has a side wall which envelopes approximately 180.degree. and a bottom wall closing the side wall. The display board closes the rear of the vase form and completes an open top vase for displaying articles of merchandise. A pair of hooks extend from the bottom of the vase form and are intended to fit through a pair of perforations in the display board. Fasteners extend outward from the side wall part way up its length. The fasteners engage other perforations in the display board. Each fastener comprises an array of resilient fingers which fit through a perforation in the display board. A relatively rigid camming pin is moveable in an internal passage formed in the array of fingers to deflect the fingers into locking engagement with the perforation to lock the fingers and hence the vase to the display board.

Abstract: In a quick-action connection for retaining an insertion part in an orifice of a carrier, for example a holding nipple in a body wall, there is, in a peripheral groove of a tenon-shaped extension piece of the insertion part, a retaining ring resiliently flexible in the radial direction, which has its largest diameter in the inserted state of the insertion part. The retaining ring partially projects beyond the periphery of the extension piece and is supported on the carrier by means of one of its end faces. So that the retaining ring is capable of guaranteeing a reliable mutual connection of the two parts, even when bending moments are exerted on the insertion part inserted into the carrier orifice with a clearance fit, its annular shell is closed in the peripheral direction and extends in the form of a meander. As a result of this ring design, the retaining ring can be compressed radially in order to introduce the insertion part into the carrier orifice, and after insertion it automatically springs open again.

Abstract: A lattice comprises a set of tubular strips fastened together at designated crossings that have openings formed in the surface of each strip that faces and is overlayed by the other strip. The tubular strips are fastened together by resilient fasteners that are snapped into the strip openings.

Abstract: A receptacle is provided for receiving a plastic/adhesive used for mounting plastic body panels to a metallic subframe of an automobile in which the receptacle is formed through progressive die stamping from a cross formed blank. The receptacle is formed as truncated pyramidical shape and includes two sides with bent-over flanges for engaging the metallic subframe and two shorter sides which lock the receptacle to the subframe in snap-fit relationship after insertion into a square aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to panels, such as are provided in cabinets or the like. Rabbets are provided in a frame for receiving a panel. Mortises are provided extending in the frame from the rabbets, and rotatable retaining element are mounted in the mortises. The rotatable retainers are comprised of a ramp encircling them for a proton of their circumference, having one flat circumferential side that is alignable with the side of the rabbet in the frame. Accordingly, upon rotation of the retainer, the ramp, or screw thread, engages the side of the panel away from the bottom of the rabbet, to hold the panel fully against the bottom of the rabbet, independently of the thickness of the panel.

Abstract: An improved method for fastening a license plate or a cover plate for a license plate to a vehicle and apparatus therefor includes use of a plurality of two-part separable fasteners. A first part of each fastener is secured to, or actually comprises, the head of each of the bolts which are provided to hold the license plate to the vehicle. The second part of each fastener is secured to a back side of the plate to be secured to the vehicle and positioned to mate with its respective first part in a friction-fit relation. When a cover plate for a license plate is so mounted, it is placed in an overlying relation with respect to the license plate.

Abstract: A fastener for plates includes a leg portion for engaging with a first mounting plate, a flange portion integrally secured to the leg portion, a head portion projecting from the flange portion for holding a second mounting plate between the flange portion and the head portion, a cut-away portion formed by cutting away part of the head portion from its outer periphery towards its axis for allowing the head portion to be inserted into a mounting hole of a second mounting plate by a rotating action, and a resilient portion for pressing against the inner periphery of the mounting hole of the second mounting plate which is secured by the flange portion.

Abstract: A tube connector comprising a first member and a second member, each member being made from a sheet metal stamping. Each member includes an annular portion, a tubular barrel, and plural legs. The tubular barrel extends from an inner periphery of the annular portion. The legs extend outwardly from the annular portion and are adapted to flex axially so as to facilitate insertion of such member into the tube through one end of the tube. The legs have sharp edges tending to dig aggressively into an inner wall of the tube so as to resist withdrawal and rotation of such member. The tubular barrel of the first member fits within and extends through the tubular barrel of the second member and is crimped at one end so as to secure the tubular barrel of the second member bears at one end agains the annular portion of the first member. The tubular barrel of the first member is internally threaded and consequently deformed so as to fit tightly within the tubular barrel of the second member.

Abstract: A pin for fixing an innermost ceramic fiber layer of a plurality of ceramic fiber layers so as to line a furnace wall to at least one other ceramic fiber layer of the plurality of ceramic fiber layers, situated at a side of the furnace wall with respect to the innermost ceramic fiber layer by being inserted from the innermost ceramic fiber layer into the other ceramic fiber layer.

Abstract: A retractable and reusable self-locking fastening device in the form of a commercially available rivet, pin, threaded bolt or stud and the like for insertion into a sized clearance hole in a workpiece includes a shank means having tenon and pilot means which comprises two successive steps of lesser diameter formed on at least one end of the shank means. Mounted on and fixedly connected to the pilot means is a lug means having a generally truncated conical shape with one closed end and the end remote therefrom being opened to define a space in which the tenon means is disposed, and a sized aperture in the closed end to enable the lug means to be fixedly connected to the pilot means. The tapered walls of the lug means have at least four outwardly extending movable sections separated by at least four longitudinal slots defining a truncated cone configuration.

Abstract: A cable strap is provided for securing a cable to a panel. The cable strap comprises a flexible strap having a buckle at one end for reception of the other end of the strap to secure the cable strap to the cable. An improved fastener is provided on the outer surface of the strap for securement to a panel. The fastener includes a cup-shaped base from which extends a prong structure including rearwardly extending barbs. A flexible web is provided between each of the barbs and its respective prong to prevent splaying of the barbs after insertion through an opening in a panel.

Abstract: The retainer assembly (10) comprises a longitudinally extending retainer body (12) having an enlarged diameter or head member (14) at one end and an arrow-shaped or flared member (16) at the other end. A V-shaped leaf spring (20) has an opening (24) at the bottom of the V-shaped opening (22) which receives the retainer body (12) so that the spring (20) is disposed between the head member (14) and a surface (31) of a first member (30). The retainer body (12) extends through an opening (32) in the first member (30) and the flared member (16) is resiliently captured within a resilient receiving member (50) disposed within an opening (46) of the second member (40). The opening (46) in the second member (40) is in a second surface (44) disposed apart from a first surface (42) of the second member (40) which engages the first member (30).

Abstract: A plastic re-usable two-piece push-pin stand-off fastener for releasably securing together two spaced-apart circuit boards comprises a hollow body having a body bore into which, for pre-assembly, a pin is insertable into the body bore prior to use. The pin has large and small outside diameter portions near its head and insertion ends, respectively. The body bore has large and small inside diameter bore portions near its head and insertion ends, respectively. The body also has outwardly extending inwardly depressible resilient flexible wings adjacent the large bore portion, has outwardly expandable resilient flexible legs adjacent the small bore portion, and has an external shoulder between the wings and the legs. In use, the body is inserted into a hole in the first board to entrap the board between the body head and wings. Then, the body is inserted into a hole in the second board so that the shoulder bears thereagainst.

Abstract: A trim clip for fixing a decorative member onto a vehicle body trim from which a threaded stud has been previously secured by welding is provided. The clip features a hollow portion with resilient pawls for receiving the threaded stud and a head portion having at least one ridge formed on the surface facing the trim to prevent rotation due to vibration when the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: A securing unit for securing at least two different substrates spaced apart at a predetermined distance comprising a first securing portion for securing a first base plate, a second securing portion which forms an arrow shaped head and for securing a second base plate, and a support base portion for supporting said first and second securing portions in which the height of the first securing portion of the securing unit has been remarkably reduced. With this construction, the projection of the first securing portion of the unit is not impaired when removing unnecessary remnants or solder or when cleaning the surface of the first base plate, while the securings of the base plates by the first and second securing portions of the securing unit according to the present invention has been remarkably increased.

Abstract: A lock bolt is disclosed for introduction into a through hole in a structural component. The lock bolt generally is a one piece tubular bolt member having a shank with two sections joined at a first end by a bridge and with a resilient locking member integral with a first of the two sections at a second end and extending within the bolt shank and then radially outward of the bolt shank at the second of the two sections to define an end portion to in conjunction with an abutment on the bolt secure the bolt in the through hole.

Abstract: Two support assemblies for respectively supporting the tapered end and the cylindrical end of an elongated tubular elastomeric spring between two opposed spring seats are disclosed. The support assembly for the tapered end is made up of an elongated retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the tapered end. This retaining member includes two inclined portions which bear down upon the inside of the tapered end when pulled in an outward direction by a bolt threadably secured to a conventional spring seat. The support assembly for the cylindrical end is made up of a second retaining member which is positionable generally transverse to and entirely inside the cylindrical end. The second retaining member includes a plurality of expandable flange portions which engage the inside of the cylindrical portion as the retaining member is pulled in an outward direction by a bolt threadably secured to the second spring seat.

Abstract: A fastener made of a resilient material to be pressed onto a threaded pin or the like comprising a holding part for holding an object and a fastening part for securing the fastener to the pin, the fastening part including a plurality of clamping walls integral with and extending downwardly from the holding part of the fastener for tightly gripping the periphery of the pin, the walls having a smooth inner surface and being uniformily distributed in a circle around the longitudinal axis of the fastener to form an opening for the pin, and a rib integral with the holding part and projecting radially outwardly from each longitudinal edge of each wall with the adjacent ribs of every two adjoining walls being connected to each other.

Abstract: A board fastener is provided to detachably secure and support one or more boards such as printed circuit boards in position spaced apart from a chassis or from each other. Furthermore, the board fastener can securely support a second board to prevent the same from slipping out of the fastener. The board fastener includes a spring bar and a thrust-up member for pushing the mounted second board up, thus allowing the second board to be easily removed from the fastener.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clip structure insertable through an apertured work piece for protecting coated surfaces of the work piece comprising a main clip body including resilient clip means adapted to be snapped through the aperture and a protecting cap having a dome into which the clip means may be inserted and further having lateral window means through which the clip means may at least partially project when in assembled relationship.

Abstract: A fastener snaps through aligned apertures in two work pieces. The shape of the aperture in the first work piece is such that the fastener cannot be withdrawn from it. However, the aperture in the second work piece is so shaped that the fastener can be rotated for removal of the fastener from the second work piece. The work pieces thereby can be separated, but the fastener remains in substantially permanent association with the first work piece for reuse of the work piece and the fastener.

Abstract: An improved stand-off device is disclosed which is used to control the spacing between adjacent planar elements in electronic instrumentation. The stand-off device includes a resilient, hollow shell member and a rigid, cylindrical inner element. The shell member has at least one slot extending from one end, and has a top interior cylindrical surface, a bottom interior cylindrical surface, and a threaded intermediate interior surface. The inner element has a conical expander portion and a drive portion with a threaded exterior surface which is complementary to the threaded interior intermediate surface of the shell member. The slotted end of the shell member is adapted for insertion into an aperture in a planar member from one side of that member. The inner element is adapted for insertion into the shell member from the same side of that member, whereupon the conical portion forces the slotted end of the shell member to expand and engage the perimeter of the aperture in the planar member.

Abstract: A nut intended for being retained in a blind hole is provided with a number of lips (11) extending from the cylindrical part (1) of the nut and forming cutting edges (2) which extend most at the upper corner. When these edges (2) are turned in the direction of rotation (10) of the nut when a bolt (5) is being tightened, they will cut further into the wall of the hole. The result is a downturned force which will contribute to securing the nut in the object, and the bolt (5) will not be capable of loosening because the material (6) will be wedged in between the bolt (5) and the lip (11). If the nut is to be withdrawn from the hole, this is most easily done by turning the nut in the opposite direction at the same time while being drawn out. This will cause no appreciable damage to the material in the rim area of the hole.

Abstract: A screw grommet has a flange and a leg extending therefrom and has cantilever-like engagement projections extending tangentially with respect to the outer periphery of the leg. A panel can be held clamped between the flange and engagement projections. When inserting the leg through an opening in the panel, the engagement projections are easily flexed to facilitate the insertion.

Abstract: A push pin fastener for securing light automotive trim components to portions of an automobile includes a base portion and a shank extending perpendicularly from the base portion and cantileverly supporting a pair of triangularly shaped locking legs from the free end of the shank. The locking legs are foldably deflectable and are supported on a bridge portion between a pair of straight locking legs extending from the base portion.

Abstract: An insert which ensures contiguity and proper alignment during installation of a plurality of gasket elements used to seal the joint between the mating surfaces of components comprising an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A bolt lock, for receiving and locking the end of a bolt having a head portion with a locking shoulder, said lock comprising a housing having internal jaws forming a central aperture, said jaws being expansible to allow the head of the bolt to snap through the opening so the the bolt shoulder latches behind the jaws. The jaws are retained in the housing above an aperture in the body which receives the inserted bolt head and below a bolt aperture in the upper portion of the housing, so that when the bolt is assembled, axial movement thereof causes the edges of the apertures to contact the internal jaws around and in spaced relation to the central aperture thereof. The jaws have upper and lower surfaces which are slightly inclined toward each other in relation to the axis of the central opening from the central aperture to the periphery of the jaws.

Abstract: A locking device for an excavating tooth, where the tooth has vertically aligned openings for the receipt of the locking device, which includes a relatively elongated pin having a reduced diameter central cylindrical portion and a basket spring mounted and substantially surrounding the cylindrical portion to provide a ball and socket-like connection between the lock and the tooth.

Abstract: A two-piece plastic fastener comprising a body and a screw releasably secures a pair of panels together in spaced apart relationship. The body, which has a bore therethrough, comprises a body shank having a body head, outwardly extending, inwardly depressible, flexible locking tabs spaced from the body head, an external shoulder spaced from the tabs, and outwardly expandable walls spaced from the shoulder. The body shank also comprises, inside the bore, flexible screw thread engaging means and ramp means on the inside of the walls. The screw, which is insertable into the bore, comprises a screw head and a screw shank having a threaded portion and an unthreaded end portion. In use, the body shank is inserted into a hole in the first panel so that the latter is entrapped between the body head and the locking tabs. The body shank is then inserted into the hole in the second panel. The screw is axially inserted into the bore so that its threaded portion engages the thread-engaging means in the bore.

Abstract: This invention relates to a suction housing of a lubricating-oil pump inserted in a lubricating-oil storage tank of an aggregate of vehicles having a distributing regulator with a mass that is guided in the direction of the accelerating forces affecting the vehicle for the regulating of valve openings. In order to obtain a suction housing with a low overall height and a simple arrangement of valves, the distributing regulator is developed to be plate-shaped in which case the valves are movably suspended at the sides of the distributing regulator.

Abstract: An electrical connector which has a plurality of electrical contacts for interconnecting a plurality of data or communication lines is mountable to a printed circuit board and interconnectable to a plurality of electical traces thereon. The connector includes a front mating portion which is connectable to a matable connector, and a right angled portion, including a plurality of terminals, the right angled portion being mountable to a printed circuit board and the terminals being interconnectable to printed circuit board through holes. The connector further comprises a retention member which securely affixes the connector to the printed circuit board prior to soldering of the connector to the printed circuit board, and which provides a cylindrical soldering interface for mechanical stability of the connector to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A fastener is disclosed for affixing void-forming members to underlying concrete slabs for use in composite slab construction. Each fastener comprises a stem having a cross limb with a barbed end for insertion into a foam member, a stabilizer bar transversely projecting from one side of the stem intermediate its ends, and bottom barbs. Upon insertion of the barbs of the cross limb into a foam member and projection of the bottom barbs of the stem into a concrete slab, the foam member is thus secured thereto. Several fasteners spaced around the periphery of the member are employed. The concrete slab with void-forming members installed is then overlaid with a poured concrete cap, thereby forming a unitary composite construction.

Abstract: A device suitable for fixing panels comprises a male part having a mounting head and an elongate body between the mounting head and a retaining head. The retaining head has a retaining surface directed towards the mounting head, a snap-fastener surface, and a retaining edge defined by the intersection of the retaining surface with the snap-fastener surface. A female part of the device has a receptacle for the body of the male part and at least one circumferential sector for retaining the retaining head of the male part in the axial direction. The retaining edge is adapted to penetrate the retaining sector(s) to provide an axial retention opposing withdrawal of the male part from the receptacle in the female part.

Abstract: A plate fastener made of a synthetic resin for fastening together two plates in a face-to-face relation comprises a head portion to be locked in an engagement hole formed on one of the two plates, a cylindrical leg portion perpendicularly extending from the bottom of the head portion and to be locked in a mounting hole formed in the other one of the plates, and an umbrella-like elastic engagement portion extending from the outer periphery of a stem portion of the leg portion and to be in close area contact with the other plate, the leg portion having a projection formed on the outer periphery to engage with the edge of a mounting hole formed in the other plate in a face-to-face relation to the engagement portion and a reduced-thickness axial hinge portion formed in the wall portion other than the projection, the wall of the leg portion being flexed in the folding fashion about the hinge portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cover assembly to conceal the anchor bolt assembly housed in an opening in a vertical wall of a sanitary fixture. A novel clip, which is mounted to the anchor bolt, includes latching means to mount the cover plate over the opening.

Abstract: A substrate support of integral construction, by which substrate (20, 39) can be fixed angularly to a plate (22, 40) and which comprising a base (3, 33), a fixing portion (1, 31) for coupling the base (3, 33), a first projection (7, 37) extending from the base (3, 33), and a second projection (8, 38) extending from a wall (9) extending from the base (3, 33). The substrate (20) is gripped by the base (3, 33), the first projection (7, 37) and the second projection (8, 38) so that the end of the substrate (20) can be inserted into the space between the first projection (7, 37) and the second projection (8, 38) and the substrate (20) can be fixed angularly to the plate (22, 40).

Abstract: A composite rivet comprises an integral mandrel having a collar telescoped thereabout for controlling radial deformation of a head forming portion thereof.

Abstract: A one-piece receptacle (1) for a quick-release fastener, has a base portion (2) and a stud-retaining structure (4) connected to the base portion by a pair of resilient webs (3) substantially C-shaped in cross-section. The base portion has a cross-cut slot (8) in a plane transverse to the central axis of the receptacle. The C-shaped webs (3) are integrally connected to the base portion (2) in extension of a thin walled portions (2") closer to the stud-retaining structure (4). The slot (8) extends from one side of the receptacle across the central axis thereof, so that the opposing thin walled portions (2,2") of the base on opposite sides of the cross-cut slot (8) can engage opposite surfaces of the support member at an aperture in which the receptacle is to be mounted.

Abstract: A securing unit for securing at least two different substrates spaced apart at a predetermined distance comprising a first securing portion for securing a first base plate, a second securing portion which forms an arrow shaped head and for securing a second base plate, and a support base portion for supporting said first and second securing portions in which the height of the first securing portion of the securing unit has been remarkably reduced. With this construction, the projection of the first securing portion of the unit is not impaired when removing unnecessary remnants or solder or when cleaning the surface of the first base plate, while the securings of the base plates by the first and second securing portions of the securing unit according to the present invention has been remarkably increased.