Having Resilient Securing Structure On Shank Patents (Class 411/508)
  • Patent number: 6773268
    Abstract: A board holddown (1) for holding circuit boards (8,9) includes an elastomeric support member (10) and a bullet-shape member (20) of more rigid material than the support member. The support member includes a first mounting portion (11) for supporting a first circuit board (8), a second mounting portion (12) for supporting a second circuit board (9), and an elongate, thin neck (13) projecting from the second mounting portion. The bullet-shape member is attached to the elongate, thin neck and includes a latch (21). The elongate, thin neck has substantial resilience so that the second circuit board can be easily detached from the board holddown by pushing the bullet-shape member away from its holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., LTD
    Inventors: Joanne E. Shipe, Tod M. Harlan
  • Patent number: 6772484
    Abstract: A high-strength mounting structure is used for attaching a resin article to a body panel. The resin molded article has an elongated main body and a pair of mount ribs formed in several spots intermittently in a longitudinal direction. A protrusion is provided at a distal end of each of the mount ribs. A clip has latch claws for engaging the protrusions of the mount ribs, and a slip-proof lug is located opposite to each latch claw to resist release the latch claws from the protrusions. In addition, the clip has an engagement section engaged with a body panel at a side facing the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., LTD
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyano, Daiichiro Kawashima, Tomokazu Nishikawa, Sadao Nada, Moriyoshi Takagi, Toshiro Shibagaki
  • Publication number: 20040151560
    Abstract: A substantially watertight grommet having a sealing mechanism that can simultaneously form a watertight seal between the grommet and a pin received therein and between the grommet and a panel within which the grommet is received is herein described. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing mechanism is formed integrally with the head of the grommet by an overmolding process. A body of the grommet has a retention structure for securing the grommet within a bore formed in a panel and a catchment mechanism for securing a pin within the grommet. The catchment mechanism is constructed so as to permit the pin to be secured within the grommet in a plurality of positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: James T. Kirchen
  • Patent number: 6769849
    Abstract: A two-piece clip includes a grommet and a pin. The grommet includes a plurality of elastic leg portions separately extending from a flange. The pin includes a shaft for radially expanding the elastic leg portions when the shaft is inserted among the elastic leg portions through the center hole. At an intermediate portion of the shaft, a temporarily locking piece and a locking protrusion are formed. Both ends of the temporarily locking portion are coupled with the shaft in a shaft direction to have a bridge-like shape. The temporarily locking piece protrudes in an outer radial direction. The locking protrusion is adjacent to the temporarily locking piece in a shaft tip end direction. An inner peripheral edge of the flange is engaged between the temporarily locking piece and the locking protrusion so that the pin is temporarily locked to the grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Yoneoka
  • Patent number: 6769853
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device for fixing a car body element to the structure of a motor vehicle. The inventive device is of the type that comprises a panel (10) formed by a sheet (11) which defines a support face that is adapted to co-operate with the car body clement and,which comprises means (14, 15) for locking to the car body clement and frangible means (16) for releasing the car body element. Said device also comprises an element (30) for quarter-turn fixing in an opening in the structure which is used to hold the assembly formed by the panel (10) and the car body element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Philippe Perrot
  • Publication number: 20040136812
    Abstract: A fastener for fixing a curtain airbag to a body panel of an automobile comprises a screw grommet having a shank to be inserted into mounting holes of an airbag-anchor portion and a body panel, and a flange to press the airbag-anchor portion against the body panel. The flange has an opening and the shank has a shank hole continuous to the opening into which a tapping screw is driven. The shank has resilient fingers protruding outward from sides of the shank to engage edge regions of mounting holes in a temporary fixing state. The fingers are held in a permanent fixing state by screwing the tapping screw into the shank hole, preventing the fingers from being bent inward. The flange has an edge with an upstanding partition to allow a central region of the flange to be partitioned from a main body of the curtain airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kawai, Yoshiharu Kawasaki, Shuichi Okinaka, Mitsuo Nogami
  • Patent number: 6760957
    Abstract: A grommet is mounted on a panel of an automobile. The grommet includes a tubular body, a fitting portion, a flange portion, projected portions, and a lip. A wire harness is passed through the grommet body. The fitting portion is formed at an end of the grommet body, and is fitted in a hole in the panel. The flange portion includes a pair of straight portions, and a pair of arcuate portions. The pair of straight portions are spaced from each other in parallel. The pair of arcuate portions interconnect the pair of straight portions. The projected portions project outwardly from the straight portions, respectively. The lip is formed at an outer peripheral edge portion of the flange portion, and when the fitting portion is fitted in the hole, the lip is held in contact with the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Noriyuki Nagamine
  • Patent number: 6752577
    Abstract: A heat sink fastener includes a locating bolt having a compressible barbed tip for securing the heat sink to the circuit board, and a buffer spring mounted on the locating bolt and adapted to force the heat sink downwards into close contact with the CPU at the circuit board, the buffer spring has a top ring defining a top receiving space, a bottom ring defining a bottom receiving space, and a double conical spiral spring body connected between the top ring and the bottom ring and receivable in the top receiving space and the bottom receiving space when compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chen, Kwo-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 6752576
    Abstract: A dismountable clip includes a stem part (11), an entry end (13), and a hole edge attachment end (12), intended for insertion into a hole. The stem part has protruding heel-like elements (14a, 15a) which can be pivoted in and back out elastically. In a recess (18) in the stem part, each heel-like element has a maneuvering shoulder (19, 20), at a distance inwards from a hinge (16, 17) connecting the heel-like element and the stem part. An axial hole (23) for receiving a dismounting tool is formed through the hole edge attachment end and the stem part to the maneuvering shoulders. A free space (22) is situated between the maneuvering shoulder and the entry end to allow the maneuvering shoulder and, hence, the heel-like element to be pivoted with the dismounting tool about the hinge in the direction towards the entry end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: ITW Sverige AB
    Inventors: Peder Johansson, Kristian Ostergren
  • Publication number: 20040091335
    Abstract: A hole plug includes a head portion and a foot portion projecting from a back surface of the head portion to be inserted into a hole to be blocked. The foot portion has a cylindrical shape formed of several uprising plates extending from the back surface of the head portion. An engaging step portion is formed at a base end of each uprising plate for holding a rim of the hole to be blocked together with the head portion. A supporting device is formed at an inside of each uprising plate for limiting bending of each uprising plate inwardly in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC
    Inventors: Norimasa Nagasawa, Noboru Obayashi
  • Publication number: 20040091334
    Abstract: A connector for fastening a member having an attaching hole includes a female part and a male part. The female part has a head portion, a leg portion, an inner space formed in the leg portion side and opened at the head portion, and an engaging projection formed on the leg portion for engaging the attaching hole. The engaging projection elastically bends inwardly and engages the attaching hole when the leg portion is inserted into the attaching hole. The male part has a pressing head portion, an inserting leg to be inserted into the inner space of the female part, a first engaging portion for engaging the female part so that the male part is temporarily fixed to the female part, and a second engaging portion for engaging the female part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Shouichi Hoshi
  • Publication number: 20040071527
    Abstract: A screw grommet comprises a shank inserted into a mounting hole in a workpiece and a flange formed at one end of the shank that is larger than the mounting hole in the workpiece. A cavity is formed in the flange and the shank into which a tapping screw can be screwed after insertion through a hole in a member to be mounted on the workpiece. The shank has a rectangular cross-section appropriate for a rectangular cross-section mounting hole in the workpiece. Both the flange and a portion of the shank are divided by a plurality of axial slits. Protrusions are formed diagonally on the outer periphery of the shank separated axially from the flange by about the thickness of the workpiece. The screw grommet is able to obtain high retention force with respect to a workpiece without rotating together with a turned screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Masashi Dendo
  • Patent number: 6718599
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clemens, Mark Fleydervish, Richard H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6715812
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of mounting an assist grip to a body panel and related mounting structure elements that provide a removable attachment between the assist grip and the body panel and that simplify the manufacture of the body panel as well as the assembly and disassembly of the assist grip to the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Sakuma, Takashi Hosokawa, Chiharu Totani, Hiroyuki Tajima
  • Patent number: 6712571
    Abstract: A releasable fastening device that includes a rivet (3) that can be inserted in through openings (5, 6) of components (1, 2) that are to be mounted. The rivet (3) is provided with a projection at one end and with spreadable expansion elements (4) at its other end. A threaded bolt (8) is axially pushed into an internal counter-thread of the rivet (3) to spread the expansion elements (4). When the fastening device is assembled, the walls of the components (1, 2) or of an intermediate element (7) engage radial recesses on the circumference of the rivet (3) to hold the components securely. Bolt (8) can be unscrewed from the rivet (3) to facilitate disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Krohlow, Mathias Mikl, Mario Rieger
  • Publication number: 20040057812
    Abstract: An insert part (1) for insertion in an opening in a wall has a neck (7) to pass through the opening and a flange (4) arranged on the neck (7) and comprising a depression (5) on the under side facing the neck (7). The depression (5) is bounded on the outside by an elevated circumferential edge and contains a body (17) of adhesive capable of being brought into a flowable state by heating. To secure the insert part in the opening of the wall, catches (8) are attached to the neck (7). The body (17) is of such size that it is completely accommodated by the depression (5), and the insert part (1) is of such conformation that, in the installation position in which it is secured by the catches (8) in the opening of the wall, the circumferential edge (6) of the flange (4) is firmly pressed into contact with the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Harald Schaty
  • Publication number: 20040052612
    Abstract: A fastener includes a head portion and an engagement leg. The engagement leg is formed of elastic pieces projecting from the head portion having projections formed on outer faces of the elastic pieces at the middle in a vertical direction. Each projection has a height relative to the head portion different from that of an adjacent projection. It is preferable that the projections at a diagonal position have the same heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Hideya Miura
  • Publication number: 20040052611
    Abstract: A heat sink fastener is constructed to include a barbed bolt for insertion into a mounting hole of a heat sink and a corresponding mounting hole of a circuit board to hold down the heat sink on a processor chip at the circuit board, and a springy cushion sleeved onto the bolt and adapted to support the head of the barbed bolt above the heat sink and to offset biasing force from the heat sink after installation of the barbed bolt in the heat sink and the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: TAI-SOL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ke-Pin Liu
  • Patent number: 6694566
    Abstract: This invention relates to a two-piece grommet adapted for holding a cable in an aperture, such as in a desk or work surface so as to absorb any strain imposed on the cable and to provide an attractive covering for the hole drilled to pass the cable. The grommet consists of two portions. The first portion comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a circular lip. The second portion comprises a cap having an extended flange and adapted to frictionally fit into the cylindrical sleeve and against the lip. The cap has an aperture cut into it through which the cable passes. A pivotal tab is connected under the cap to close the aperture when no cable passes therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas A. J. Mockett
  • Patent number: 6679665
    Abstract: An apparatus, used for holding a coupling pin at a desired position in a pin-coupled structure regardless of a relative movement of two or more pin-coupled parts in the structure, is disclosed. This pin holding apparatus has two pin holding blocks, with an elastic member interposed between the two pin holding blocks, and is inserted into a pin slot with the two holding blocks radially compressed by an external force to reduce the outer diameter of the apparatus. The apparatus elastically expands in the pin slot due to the restoring force of the compressed elastic member when the external force is removed from the apparatus, thus being set in an annular groove formed on the inner surface of the pin slot and holding the pin at its desired position in the pin slot. The pin holding apparatus is easily set in and removed from the pin slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Soosan Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6671934
    Abstract: A retention clip for securing a trim piece to a vehicle. The retention clip includes a trim piece affixing portion, a first leg member, and second leg member that extends from a head portion. The trim piece affixing portion is defined by at least one pair of grips that includes a plurality of retention barbs. Each first and second leg member is defined by a first leg portion, an intermediate knee portion, and a second leg portion. Each second leg portion is defined by a first and second length and a first and second deployment angle, respectively. The retention clip has a resilient retention feature that allows the retention clip to deform inwardly to during installation, then outwardly when affixing a trim piece to a vehicle in order to provide a perpendicular biasing force and a later, outboard biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley J. Wenzlick, Walter P. Kornylo
  • Patent number: 6665914
    Abstract: A clip is attached to a member or center cluster for detachably attaching the member to an attaching member or instrument panel. The clip is provided with a pair of engaging members projecting with an inclination so that a distance therebetween is narrowed toward the inserting direction of a rib of the center cluster, and engaging portions of the engaging members engage an engagement hole of the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6666640
    Abstract: A fastener for a heat-radiator on a chip has a leg with a lower end and an upper end. A cone-shaped foot of which a maximum diameter is larger than that of the leg is formed at the lower end of the leg. A head is formed at an upper end of the leg. Two flexible bow arms are oppositely formed at two sides of the leg, each with a first end fixed on a bottom face of the head. A ring is formed on second ends of the bow arms. An opening is defined in the ring for the leg extending therethrough. A resilient member is provided outside the leg and extends through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Hsin-Mao Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20030228205
    Abstract: A device for fastening molded or extruded plastics parts, more particularly to an automotive body, by positive locking, comprising a base section joinable to the plastics part to be fastened and a retaining section adjoining the base section in a fastening direction. For forming a contact face, the retaining section protrudes beyond the base section perpendicular to the fastening direction. The base section and retaining section are made of elastically deformable material, at least the retaining section comprising a cavity. Such a device is characterized by the deformability of the retaining section being adaptable to the particular application in each case by relatively simple ways and means. The reason for this is that at least one elastically deformable partition is arranged in the cavity. The partition is configured as a through-hole extending in a normal direction perpendicular to the fastening direction and extends in a plane oriented perpendicular to the normal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Eckehard Hochholzer, Heinz-Jurgen Dieterle, Dirk Palicki, Anton Sutter
  • Patent number: 6659698
    Abstract: A grommet having a body formed of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve wherein the inner sleeve may be made to spin within the outer sleeve upon the application of a torqueing force that exceeds a predetermined release torque is herein disclosed. The grommet has a head attached to the body thereof to limit the insertion of a shank of the grommet into an aperture formed in a primary panel and a retaining structure formed into the outer surface of the shank to permit the grommet to be pre-assembled with the primary panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Kirchen, Steve Everard
  • Patent number: 6659701
    Abstract: A panel fastener for assembling a panel structure to a substructure is herein disclosed. The fastener comprises a body having a pair of offset flanges connected by a hollow support structure having a bore formed therethrough that is connected to a head having a third flange and a shank extending therefrom, by at least one flexible member that is connected between the body and the head of the fastener. The shaft of the head further having at least one retaining mechanism formed therein such that when the shaft of the head is inserted through the bore formed through the hollow support structure of the body of the fastener, the retaining mechanism can engage a bore formed through the substructure so as to secure the panel structure thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Marc R. Risdale
  • Patent number: 6644886
    Abstract: Connection arrangement for detachably connecting a first component with a second component, the first and second components having aligned openings. The arrangement includes a retaining bolt including an internal opening. At least one side wall opening and an external ring-shaped retaining groove is provided. The retaining bolt is adapted to be connected to the first component. A retaining-spring arrangement is provided having at least one leaf-spring arm and being adapted to be connected to the second component. The ring-shaped retaining groove of the retaining bolt is adapted to extend through the aligned opening of the second component. A free end of the at least one leaf-spring arm is engagable with the ring-shaped retaining groove. A movable disengaging element is provided and is adapted to disengage the at least one leaf-spring arm from the retaining groove of the retaining bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Schwarz Verbindungs-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6634843
    Abstract: A connector includes a head from which there extends a split shank. The split shank forms opposing first and second members having an offset or stepped inner surface. The free end of the shank includes a tapered flange provided with a retaining lip which extends beyond the outer surface of the shank. One or more openings may be provided through the shank for receiving a cotter pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: FRP Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Tarnow, Henry Shavel
  • Patent number: 6634065
    Abstract: A retainer clip receives a keypad and the like on a beltline molding. The clip has a face plate having a plurality of apertures. A wall extends from the face plate. The wall has a plurality of tangs spaced thereabout. The wall is configured to be received within an aperture in the beltline molding. The wall is sized to position the face plate in the aperture of the beltline molding. The tangs cooperate with the beltline molding to retain the faceplate to the beltline molding. The wall and keypad are configured to snappingly engage each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Decoma Exterior Trim, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Chesson, Gerald Y. Ruppert, Steven D. Haar
  • Publication number: 20030185652
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having a first end for engaging with a first object. The body further includes a second end for engaging with a second object having an engaging hole. The second end of the body includes at least one resilient leg extending toward the first end of the body and spaced from the body. The resilient leg is pressable to allow the second end of the body to pass through the engaging hole of the second object. The second end of the body has a maximum width greater than a diameter of the engaging hole of the second object when the resilient leg is not pressed, thereby preventing disengagement of the second object from the second end of the body after assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jung-Jyh Wu
  • Patent number: 6612795
    Abstract: The fastener includes a head with an oval-shaped base. The head is supported by a cylindrical post and includes overhanging or cantilevered portions along the major axis of the oval-shaped base. These overhanging portions are ramped and face a first seal. The head engages a slot in a panel by first being inserted therethrough and then being twisted by one quarter turn so that the edges of the slot are engaged between the first seal and the cantilevered portions. Flex tabs lock the head in place. The fastener further includes a cylindrical retainer with flexible retaining fingers which is inserted by a linear motion into an aperture in another panel, thereby engaging the panel between the retaining fingers and the second seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Kirchen
  • Patent number: 6606766
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clip for mounting an article, comprising a base member being of a plate shape and having a through hole thereon; a pair of flanges extended from opposite ends of the base member in a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the base member; a pair of insertion parts extended from opposite sides of the base member and bent upwardly to be in contact with each other; and a pair of anchoring plates which are downwardly cut from the center area of each insertion part, are projected outwardly, are elastically deformable, and have a stepped part formed with inward and outward bent parts at a free end of each anchoring plate. With this configuration, the present invention provides a clip for firmly and easily mounting article on a support structure and for easily separating the article from the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Han Il E HWA Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheol-gyu Ko
  • Patent number: 6604780
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a crash pad of an automobile and more particularly, to the structure for mounting a crash pad of an automobile which can prevent from easy separation of a pin from a cap by employing an interlocking structure between the pin of a crash pad and the cap of a cowl panel and ensure better efficient processability by having a locking means formed at a lower end of the pin to lock a low portion of a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 6588711
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Masakatsu Onishi
  • Patent number: 6588071
    Abstract: A clip member for sealing an opening in a sheet material includes a body which is fluid tight in an axial direction, at least one flange portion adapted to engage a surface of the sheet material, at least one resiliently deformable arm attached to the body and radially bendable relative to the body for facilitating introduction of the body into the opening and locking of the body in the opening, and a deformable film surrounding the arm. The film is tied on both the body and the flange portion to seal the opening and deformed concurrently with the deformation or bending of the arm. A locking portion is provided on the arm to engage an edge of the opening when the body is fit into the opening with a snapping action of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Gramss
  • Patent number: 6581252
    Abstract: A plastic grille is attached to vehicle fenders by fasteners having a first connector section particularly shaped to snappingly engage a hole in the grille, and having an oppositely-facing second connector section particularly shaped to snappingly engage a hole in the fenders. The first and second connector sections are shaped for optimal low insertion force, yet high retention force. The first and second connectors have flexible arms that are oriented 90 degrees apart, permitting the connectors to slip in perpendicular directions in their respective receiving holes, thus providing improved tolerance and adjustability during installation. A method of assembly includes pre-attaching the fastener to the plastic component, and then attaching them as a unit to the metal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Sedlock, Robert L. Allen, Kenneth Bailey, Sr., David Means
  • Patent number: 6575681
    Abstract: A resin clip includes a head for abutting on one surface of a panel upon insertion into an attachment hole thereof, a pillar extending from the center of the head, and a pair of elastic legs folded back at a tip portion of the pillar toward the head and spreading out in a V shape. Locking parts in shapes of multiple steps are formed outside the elastic leg. In addition, one side in a width direction inside the elastic leg is more protruded toward the pillar than the other side, and the pillar includes a dented portion for receiving the protruded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kojima, Kazunori Asano
  • Patent number: 6575986
    Abstract: A device for attaching a tissue replacement scaffold to a bone has a platform positionable in substantially parallel relationship to the bone for retaining the tissue scaffold proximate to the bone. A post extends from the platform and is insertable into a hole formed in the bone. One or more ribs extend from a side surface of the post along a portion of its length. The ribs are mounted on opposing flexible members and establish an interference fit relative to the hole in the bone tissue. The ribs are urged radially outwardly by the flexible members and have a sharp edge that grips the sides of the hole in the bone such that the ribs restrict withdrawal of the device. Vertical ribs may also be included to prevent rotation of the device within the hole in the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Overaker
  • Patent number: 6572317
    Abstract: A fastener has a head for retaining a vehicle component and a leg to be fitted into a mounting hole of a panel. The leg has a plurality of resilient engaging walls extending in the axis direction with a plurality of vertical slits interposed therebetween. Upper ends of the walls are connected to the head and lower ends of the walls are connected to one another. Each upper end connected to the head is provided with a lateral cut. The presence of the cut makes the wall to easily flex inwardly when the leg is inserted into the mounting hole of the panel, enabling the insertion of the leg with smaller force, resulting in significant improvement in workability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Piolax Inc., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Okada, Kazunori Machida, Hiroshi Takemoto
  • Patent number: 6564433
    Abstract: A clip for attaching a cover member to cover a groove section includes a base plate attached to a bottom surface of the groove section, a pair of engaging sections projected from the base plate and engaging side engaging sections of the cover member, and an abutting piece section projected from the base plate and having a free end abutting against an inner surface of the cover member to restrain an excessive movement thereof. In the condition that the cover member is attached, a spring force of the free end is applied to the cover member so that friction between the cover member and the engaging sections of the clip at both sides of the trim is effectively increased. Accordingly, the trim can be held in the width direction without loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Norimasa Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 6560819
    Abstract: A water-proof grommet is provided which includes a plate-shaped head, a polygonal grommet body, and at least two latch pawls connected at lower ends to the grommet body and arranged on an outside surface of a substantially central portion of the grommet body. The head is substantially flat at a back surface thereof, and the latch pawls are provided at tip end portions with at least one inclined surface inclined outward and downward from the grommet body and at least one adjacent flat portion. The grommet body is adapted to expand radially as a screw is threaded therein, so as to cause an outer surface of the grommet body to deform the latch pawls radially outward and thereby cause at least one of the inclined surface and the adjacent flat portion of the latch pawls to press a member being mounted toward the back surface of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Aoyama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Mizuno, Hisashi Ito, Ryuji Utsuno
  • Publication number: 20030082026
    Abstract: A plastic push-in or drive fastener having a enlarged head and a shank is disclosed. The fastener is configured to allow the shank to be pushed through a complementary shaped aperture or opening in an article using a relatively low insertion force. A helical screw or rib formation on the fastener shank provides a retention force opposing the fastener from being axially withdrawn from the article while readily permitting withdrawal of the fastener from the article in response to rotation of the fastener about its axis. Moreover, the fastener shank is configured to prevent inadvertent separation of the fastener from the article through which it passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Michael F. Brletich, Joseph Janisch
  • Patent number: 6554526
    Abstract: A fastening device for interconnecting two parts, comprising a longitudinally variable bolt designed to be inserted through a hole in a first part and engage the edge of an opening in a second part. The bolt is further configured to rotate about an axis that runs generally transversely across the longitudinal axis of the bolt, using the edge of the opening in the second part as a sliding track. The bolt defines a spring configuration intermediary of its ends so that the bolt may be compressed in the longitudinal direction and resumes its original length when it is released. The bolt is provided with grooves at opposing ends, which grooves extend generally transversely across the longitudinal axis of the bolt and are designed to engage the edge of the opening in the second part at diametrically opposed locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Laerdal Medical AS
    Inventor: Einar Egelandsdal
  • Patent number: 6540751
    Abstract: Bone fasteners consisting of a rivet and an expansion pin for attaching soft tissue and bone plates to bone. The rivet has an enlarged proximal end, a tubular body portion dimensioned to fit snugly within a hole drilled in a bone, and a distal end having expandable legs. The expansion pin is either slidably or rotatably mounted within an axial bore in the rivet. In a first embodiment, the expansion pin has a metallic traction portion and a conical, preferably bioabsorbable, distal end portion releasably affixed thereto. In use, the rivet is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in a bone. When tension is applied to the traction portion of the expansion pin, the conical end portion progressively advances into the bore thereby forcing the legs on the distal end of the rivet to expand outwardly. When the legs are fully expanded, further progress of the conical portion is arrested by a shoulder stop within the axial bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Enayati
  • Publication number: 20030059278
    Abstract: A rivet member comprising a flange part (12) and a shank part (16) protruding upright from the flange part, with a circular recess (18) formed on the inner side (14) of the flange, which is used in combination with a burr member (5, 5′, or 7) having a barrel (13, 13′, or 15) of a desired shape, the circular recess (18) being adapted to receive the barrel that has pierced through a fabric or other sheet material (11) or to receive the barrel with the sheet material interposed between the bottom of barrel and the flange of the sheet. This arrangement overcomes the problem of formation of gaps between the flanges of the rivet and the barrel of the burr member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: YKK Corporation.
    Inventor: Shinichi Kochiya
  • Patent number: 6530629
    Abstract: A retainer for retaining interface card isolating pieces is disclosed. Especially, a retainer may retain a plurality of interface card isolating piece at one time. A press strip is installed on a positioning platform of a wire outlet of a computer casing. The press strip exactly presses interface isolating piece on the positioning platform. Two cam buttons are installed on the surface of the casing above the press strip. The cam buttons can be rotated and embedded into the cambered grooves at the top of the press strip so as to provide a pressure to the press strip. Therefore, by the press strip, all the interface cards can be fixed at one time. It is unnecessary to detach screws one by one. All the interface cards can be mounted or detached by fixing the press strip easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Avance Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Shyr
  • Patent number: 6526634
    Abstract: A fastener has a leg, a foot, an elastic portion and a flange formed on the leg, wherein the elastic portion has a ring around the leg and two bow arms oppositely connects two sides of the ring with two sides of the leg. The flange is higher than the ring of the elastic on the leg, so that the movement of the bow arms is limited by the flange. Therefore the fastener ensures the bow arms has elasticity after installation into the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hsin-Mao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6524047
    Abstract: Pegs having bases and stems with bulging portions on their stems which bulging portions assist in anchoring the pegs into a medium in which they are inserted and method and means for forming the bulges by distending portions of the stems after insertion into a medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventors: Brenda Erdoes, Jeff Erdoes
  • Patent number: 6517302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular clip comprising a clip body having an internally threaded hole formed in its center and two open-ring type elastic members formed integrally with and protruded from both sides of said clip body, respectively. Each of said elastic members has a panel receiving recess formed along the entire length on opposite end portions thereof, respectively. Said elastic members are then extruded outwardly with respect to the main body when structure members mounted to an interior of the automobile and the main body of the modular clip are joined by a screw, and subsequently a circumference of an internally threaded hole formed on the body panel is received in the panel receiving recesses of the elastic members thus easing the mounting of said modular clip to the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ho Dal Lee
  • Patent number: 6517543
    Abstract: A bone connector system includes first and second connector members, at least one and preferably both, of which carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with at least one slot therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end, and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface when the connectors are brought together. Each of the flanges and grooves may have first and second flanks respectively disposed at relatively small and relatively large acute angles to the longitudinal axis of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg A. Berrevoets, Thomas S. Kilpela, Francis J. Korhonen