Abstract: A vacuum compatible fastener useful for fastening a workpiece. The fastener has a head section at an upper end of the fastener of a first diameter. A shank section extends from the head section and includes a spring or spring-like element which allows the fastener to be stretched and pretensioned. The shank section has a diameter less than the diameter of the head section. A tip section at a lower end of the fastener extends from the shank section. The tip section includes one or more retractable elements having upper ends extending radially outward away from the tip section in the non-retracted state for gripping a sidewall of a workpiece receiving hole. An opening extends along the central axis of the fastener through the head section to the tip section. The fastener minimizes contamination and allows high pumpdown rates in vacuum processing tools such as semiconductor manufacturing process tools.

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).

Abstract: A clip (100) is provided that is adapted to be pressed into an opening (32) through a frame (30) with resilient fingers (12) and (12') operative to expand outwardly to enable sections (15) and (15') of fingers (12) and (12') to engage a lower edge (33) surrounding opening (32) through frame (30). A protuberance (26) extending from trim 24 is pressed between free-ends (18) and (18') respectively of prongs (16) and (16') extending from opposite sides of an aperture (22) through head portion (8) of clip (100) that are operative to secure trim (24) to clip (100) and frame (30). Fingers (12) and (12') extend from arms (10) and (10') of clip (100) whose free-ends (14) and (14') remain separated such that the lower end of clip (100) remain apart to prevent force imparted upon trim (24) from being transferred to clip (100).

Abstract: A plastic rivet is composed of a resilient material and has a drive pin and a body. Drive pin has a head and a shank. Distal end of shank has a pair of resilient legs, and proximal end of shank has a transverse hole forming deflectable walls. A first pair of protrusions project radially outwardly from the legs, and a second pair of protrusions project radially outwardly from the walls. Body has a head and elongated portion insertable into holes in members to be joined. The elongated portion is comprised of a pair of outwardly tapered longitudinal members projecting from the head and interconnected by an inwardly tapered nose. Shank of drive pin is insertable into a passage which extends through the head and elongated portion of the body. When drive pin is predriven into the body, the first pair of protrusions engages into slots in the passage, retaining the drive pin within the body. As drive pin is driven into the body, legs and walls deflect inwardly.

Abstract: A lightweight, two piece adjustable attachment device provides simple installation into a part, develops robust strength, and enables alignment of a retaining screw or bolt axis with the longitudinal axis of a threaded mounting hole, despite part to mount misalignment caused by tolerance build-up in a complex assembly. The adjustable attachment device is designed to provide sufficient overlap on each side of the part of the edges of the circular receiving aperture that the adjustable attachment device is able to withstand great force without pulling out of the part. The adjustable attachment device includes a fastener receiving slot that extends across the adjustable attachment device. The adjustable attachment device is installed into a circular receiving aperture in a part to be assembled onto a larger assembly.

Abstract: An eyelet reinforcement for application to an eyelet of a thin polymer sheet, for the repairing and strengthening of that sheet and eyelet, comprising a first disc of plastic having a first generally hemispherically shaped side and a second planar side, a centrally disposed bore extending through the first disc, from its first side to its second side, and a hollow standoff extending off of the second side of the first disc, in coaxial alignment with the bore in the first disc. A second disc of plastic is arrangable matingly opposed to the first disc, having a first generally hemispherically shaped side and a second planar side, a centrally disposed bore extending through the second disc from its first side to its second side, and an annular surface surrounds each of the bores on the planar sides of the first and second discs.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a rotation member to an attached member is formed of a clip for rotationally supporting the rotation member to the attached member, and circular member. The clip includes a leg elastically engaging a hole in the attached member, a shaft part fixed to the leg and disposed in a hole of the rotation member for rotationally supporting the rotation member, and a stopping piece attached to the shaft part for preventing the rotation member from coming off from the shaft part. The circular member has a hole in which the shaft part of the clip is disposed, and an elastic pressing piece situated outside the hole. The circular member is disposed between the rotation member and the attached member to elastically press the rotation member to the stopping piece.

Abstract: A one-piece mount formed from metal that provides for securing a bundle of wires by a metal cable tie to a mounting surface having a pair of spaced apart retaining legs that are inserted into and secured in a hole in a mounting surface and including a strap accepting channel for engaging an independent cable tie strap at an opposite end.

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.

Abstract: A mounting device for supporting data receptacles within an office partition panel of a type comprising rigid frame members interconnected by pairs of spaced parallel tube members comprises a body portion having two spaced resilient latch arms extending from a first side of the body portion, each arm having an inclined edge directed laterally outwardly of the body portion. The first side also has at least one resilient latch arm having an inclined edge directed in an opposite direction from the. direction of the inclined edges of the first two latch arms. A frame member for supporting a data receptacle is mounted to a second side of the body member. The latch arms are configured to snap into and lock between two parallel adjacent tubes of an office partition panel and, thereby, support a receptacle within the panel.

Abstract: A circuit board locating device for fastening a circuit board to a frame, having two pairs of symmetrical flat legs that extend downward at an outward angle from a top surface of said device and are inserted through a crossed slot on the frame, and a hooked portion raised from a top side thereof and hooked in a retaining hole on the circuit board, each leg having two side boards extending perpendicularly outward from outer edges of a main body of each said leg, a bottom plate stopped at one side of the frame remote from the circuit board, and a space defined between the side boards and the bottom plate and engaged with the periphery of the cross slot of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tag assembly which includes an anchor and an identification tag with human and machine readable media covered by a protective thermoplastic transparent layer of plastic including the ultimate application thereof.

Abstract: An expansion anchor to be anchored in a hole of one member to connect thereto another member includes a head to abut a surface of the one member. A shaft extends from the head to be inserted through the hole in the one member. The shaft has extending therefrom fins that are deflectable toward the shaft upon insertion of the fins with the shaft into a hole and that are resiliently expandable away from the shaft when the fins have passed through the hole. Thus, the fins abut the opposite surface of the one member to prevent removal of the anchor from the hole. At least one stopper member is positioned relative to the shaft to cooperate with an inner edge of the hole to maintain a desired position of the shaft laterally relative to the hole. The fins have respective projections dimensioned such that, when the fins have passed through the hole, the projections extend into the hole and cooperate with the inner edge thereof to maintain the desired lateral position.

Abstract: A fastener clip assembly for securing in a non-rotative fashion a first material to a second material includes a substantially planar and polygonal shaped base member and a plurality of four engaging members. The engaging members extend substantially upwardly from associated sides of the base. A laterally projecting angled tab portion extends from each engaging member to a next succeeding engaging member and both the angled tab portions and engaging member faces are provided with aligning apertured portions. Seating portions extend from the engaging members and secure the extending tab portions with their associated engaging member so that, in combination, the fastener clip exhibits an outwardly directed and resilient bias. The engaging members of the clip are resiliently biased so as to insert through a central opening in the second material and to locking engage the second material in a non-rotative fashion.

Abstract: A clip mounted with a mounting plate having opposite walls defining a mounting groove having an opened leading end, the clip is disclosed which has a clip body made of an elastic metal plate, having a V-shape portion with substantially V-shape cross section formed by folding back so as to have two opposite inclined plate portions, the inclined plate potions having opposite slits, respectively, the opposite walls of the mounting plate inserted into the slits, respectively, when the clip body is inserted into the mounting groove from the leading end of the clip body, so that the opposite walls of the mounting groove are inserted into the slits, the mounting plate is engaged with the slits, and a slit start portion adjacent to the leading end of the V-shape potion is elastically supported by the opposite walls of the mounting plate with an elastic force of the opposite inclined plate portions; and a base having a clip-body holding portion for holding the clip body, a harness securing portion which is made of res

Abstract: A fixing clip includes a female member and a male member. The female member includes a flange, a barrel and an inner hole bored from the flange through the barrel thereof. The male member is provided with a shank for insertion into the inner hole of the female member. The inner hole of the female member is a blind hole rectangular in cross section and open exclusively at the flange. The blind hole has the opposed inner wall surfaces provided with a pair of engaging projections. The shank of a male member has the leading end of a width smaller than a distance between the engaging projections.

Abstract: A fixing device having a stem (3) adapted to be retained in a wall, this stem having a shaft (9) carrying flexible non-return blades (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D), and having at least three longitudinal wings (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) oriented in respective planes which intersect at the central longitudinal axis of the shaft, with the surface defining the free end of two of such wings being adjacent to the contour provided for the hole when the latter and the shaft are disposed concentrically.

Abstract: A headed fastener clip having a threaded shank with a T-head embedment molded in a hex nut head for rotatably threading the clip into a support. A trim piece attachment post protrudes oppositely from the shank. A pair of spring arms are cantilevered from the post outer free end and diverge dependently therefrom to free ends spaced closely above the nut head. A catch portion adjacent each arm free end dimensioned to overlaps in use mutually opposed marginal edges of a fastener-receiving opening in the trim piece. The nut head has platforms on the head that underlie and support the opening marginal edge when the trim piece is installed on the clip. The fastener clip is first threaded into the support, the trim piece fastener opening registered with clip head and then the trim piece is pushed toward the support.

Abstract: A vehicular leaf spring plate tip liner insert is provided, having a variety of configurations (50, 100, 150, 200, 250), of which one preferred embodiment is referenced by numeral (50). Insert (50) has a pad portion (3) adapted to provide a pad between adjacent leaf spring tips and at least one shank portion (4) extending from pad portion (3). Shank portion (4) is axially divided into two pairs of opposed protuberances (14, 14' and 16, 16'), with each pair having surfaces in registration with each other that are at different axial distances from pad portion (3) and engageable with the side of leaf spring opening opposite to the side into which shank portion (4) is inserted and are able to secure insert (50) to a leaf spring plate having a range of thicknesses upon expanding away from each other upon passing through the leaf spring tip opening.

Abstract: A fastening device of the invention includes a head, a tool hole formed in the head, and a leg extending downwardly from a lower surface of the head and having engaging portions. The tool hole has at least one opening on a peripheral surface of the head. When the leg is inserted into a hole in a member to be jointed, the engaging portions engage the member. When the fastening device is removed from the member, a tool is directly inserted into the tool hole of the head to pull out the fastening device.

Abstract: A clip includes a fastener unit and a leg unit, the fastener unit having a pair of support plates projecting in parallel from the underside of a trim plate to be fastened and being formed at their distal ends with slits and a pair of engagement members provided on the outer surfaces of the support plates, and the leg unit having a pair of parallel wall plates formed on upper inner surface portions with steps for engaging with the engagement members of the fastener unit and a base connecting the wall plates and formed with a pair of opposing elastic legs at positions spaced from the wall plates and with lugs for engagement with the slits.

Abstract: An injection molded fastener is provided for securing a preform to a foam substrate. The fastener includes a body having first and second ends with a head secured to the first end. A pilot section extends from the second end of the body, and includes a pointed end for penetrating and forming a hole in the preform and substrate. A plurality of angled barbs extend from the body for preventing removal of the fastener from the formed hole. The fastener is of sufficient strength to withstand a hammer blow and to penetrate the substrate when hammered. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a mineral filled nylon material.

Abstract: A component retaining leg is disclosed, which comprises a base to be provided on a component such as a clamp and a clip, a pillar depending from the base, and a flexible retaining piece extending from the free end of the pillar in a folded fashion toward the base. The free end of the retaining piece has an engagement step section for engaging a mounting hole of a panel. The engagement step section has a plurality of engagement steps formed at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: On the passenger side of a motor vehicle an air bag module is inserted in the instrument panel and is connected with a support stationarily disposed behind the aperture by holding plates, where at the upper holding plate at least one mounting bolt is disposed, which is engaged in a corresponding through hole of the support, and the mounting bolt has a recess and is coated with a plastic layer.

Abstract: A device for securing insulation material (7) to a base material (8) includes a receptacle (1) fixable to the base material and a large area head (2) arranged to abut against the insulation material with flexible elastic retaining strips (3, 4) extending from the receptacle to the head. Each strip has a sawtooth-like profiled surface (5, 6). The head (2) has through aperture (9, 10) for receiving the strips (3, 4) with locking members in the through aperture with profiled surfaces similar to the profiled surfaces on the strips arranged to provide an interlock between the head (2) and the retaining strips (3, 4).

Abstract: A plastic fastening element includes an insert portion 2 attachable in an aperture of a support. The insert portion has elastic wings 4 joined about the circumference of a rigid core 9 to extend in an axial direction relative to the support aperture. The wings 4 are designed in the shape of a triangle with the first triangle side 7 connected to core 9 of the insert piece 2, and the opposite outer triangle corner 8 defining the outer limit of a second and third triangle side 5 and 6 each of which extend from the triangle corner 8 to the core 9 of the insert piece 2. The second triangle side of each wing 4 ascends from the lower end of the core in spirally-wound form up to the respective triangle corner 8 and the third triangle side 6 of each wing 4 ascends in spirally-wound form from the respective triangle corner 8 to the core 9 of the insert portion 2.

Abstract: A connection between a support, specifically a part of a motor vehicle body, and a plate element, specifically a door panelling, comprises an upper part attachable to the plate element via an attachment zone and a contact zone for a holding piece, which is joinable with the support. The contact zone of the upper part comprises two pockets arranged one above the other and separated by a cross-piece. The holding piece is equipped above the attachment zone with two flanges having differing elasticity arranged at an axial distance cross-wise to the longitudinal direction. The flanges are insertable into the pockets of the upper part.

Abstract: An elongate fastener that may not be removed without destruction is provided for insertion in adjacent cooperating holes defined in box structures and their closure elements to maintain closure. The fastener defines a head, larger than the hole to carry the fastener, that structurally carries a peripherally extending tab to aid manual manipulation. The head structurally connects an elongate perpendicularly extending body that fits in the cooperating holes and is formed by spaced peripheral webs that carry barb-like fasteners in their end portions distal from the head that allow insertion of the body through a hole by deformation, but thereafter expand responsive to retentent memory to prevent removal. The interconnection of the body and head is weaker in tensile strength than the material on either side of the interconnection so that the head may be removed from the body by manual manipulation of the peripheral tab, without the use of tools, to allow opening of the box structure.

Abstract: A force fit connecting element (1), particularly a wheel stud, which may be force fit into in a drilled hole (3) through the exertion of an axial force, having a shank (5) and a stop (4) in the shape of a head, a collar or the like, having a diameter larger than shank (5). The shank (5) has on the side facing the stop (4) a force fit section (10), which is oversized with respect to the corresponding drilled hole (3). The shank (5) has on the side facing away from the stop (4) a section (22) with a fastening thread (23). The force fit section (10) has a multiple-threaded, preferably at least triple-threaded, helical profile (11). The helical profile (11), with respect to the cylindrical surface area of the drilled hole (3), has a contact area fraction (33) of at least 30% and is made by cold forming.

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.

Abstract: An air bag inflator module adapted for quick action, snap-action, permanent attachment onto a support in a motor vehicle, such as a steering wheel. Installation of the module on the support requires the use of no tools. The module has a base facing and movable toward the support. A fastening system is provided including a plurality of quick action, snap-action type fasteners extending between the base and the support. Either the base or the support includes openings for receiving a first portion of the fasteners extended therethrough as the module is pushed into place on the support with a unidirectional thrust. Each fastener also includes a second portion permanently mounted on the other of the base or the support opposite the opening for supporting the first portion projecting outwardly thereof. A snapaction expandable holding device is provided on the first portion of each fastener for engaging an opposite surface on the base or support after insertion through the opening.

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.

Abstract: A article retainer includes an outer casing and an insert, the outer casing being formed as a hollow body having an engagement flange destined to cover the periphery of a mounting hole formed in a panel for insertion of the outer casing, a pair of engagement claws formed at diametrically opposite wall portions below the engagement flange to extend upward while maintaining flexing spaces between their inner surfaces and the wall portions and a pair of windows formed in diametrically opposite wall portions offset from the wall portions formed with the engagement claws by 90. The insert is formed as a hollow body of a size snugly fittable into the outer casing and having a pair of engagement projections formed at diametrically opposite outer wall portions for engagement with the windows and a pair of downward facing elastic engaging members formed at diametrically opposite inner wall portions for clamping the hook.

Abstract: A locking assembly used for securing an abutment member to a support member includes a locking stud having a post connected to and disposed outwardly from the abutment member. The post has a longitudinal locking blade connected to and disposed outwardly from the abutment member. The locking blade includes an outwardly disposed inclined surface terminating in a crest edge which comprises a wedge lock for being disposed against an edge of the hole in the support member. An inwardly disposed surface extends from the crest edge. The blade is deflectable at the inwardly disposed inclined surface so that the inwardly disposed inclined surface acts as a cam whereby insertion of the blade into the hole causes an edge of the hole to press against the cam and deflect the blade until the crest edge has passed beyond the hole with the wedge lock preventing removal of the stud from the hole. The post also includes a longitudinally outwardly extending base portion transversely opposite the locking blade.

Abstract: An engaging structure of a flexible retainer which includes a retaining portion for retaining a member to be retained and which retains the member to be retained at a mounting plate by engaging the retaining portion with a mounting hole formed at a mounting plate, comprising: a pair of leg pieces which are inserted through the mounting hole; a pair of pawl pieces which are provided at an anchor portion to which distal ends of the pair of leg pieces are connected and which are inserted through the mounting hole so as to elastically abut a back surface of the mounting plate; and elastic plates which are provided in pairs so as to oppose the pawl pieces and elastically contact the surface of the mounting plate. Because the elastic plates urge the anchor portion in a direction of withdrawing the anchor portion, the engaging structure of the retainer can conform to changes in the thickness of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A bayonet-type fastener especially adapted for securing wiring harnesses at predetermined locations within vehicle bodies. A half-arrowhead; i.e., single barb bayonet fastener is formed of flat ribbon stock such as plastic to define an open sided hollow body in which the base legs lie in spaced parallel relationship, a cam surface for insertion purposes is formed on the outer surface of the barb arm, and the barb arm terminates in a retention leg which also lies in spaced parallel relationship to both of the base legs. The entire structure compresses when thrust through an approximately sized aperture and thereafter reexpands to prevent or inhibit removal. The single barb eliminates the ambiguity arising from multiple audible clicks associated with multiple barb type fasteners.

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.

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.

Abstract: An air bag mounting system for mounting an air bag module in the preexisting steering wheel air bag receiving pocket of a vehicle. The system includes a mounting plate having a plurality of spaced bolt assemblies extending therefrom receivable in a like plurality of aligned spaced holes in the pocket. The bolt assemblies are non-rotational with respect to the mounting plate and snap into the holes in a locking relationship. The module can be thus mounted from the access side of the pocket, automatically locked thereto, then released by unthreading of a threaded lock portion of the bolt assemblies from the blind side of the pocket.

Abstract: The invention employs a post type fastening member that provides, at one end, an insertion friction connection to the circuit card and at the other end, extending through the heat sink, a compression spring means that urges the heat sink toward the circuit card. A plurality of the post type fasteners are positioned around the periphery of the chip package to retain the heat sink parallel to the circuit card and compressing the chip package. The packaging structure of the invention permits larger area heat sinks than the chip package area to be supported by the circuit card with the only relationship with the chip being that of a compression thermal transfer contact and radiation shield.

Abstract: A resilient snap fitting retainer provides a desired retention force despite tolerance variations. A pair of parallel resilient legs extends from a base. The legs are separated by a gap. A deformable rib is provided on at least one of the legs to partially crush when the legs are compressed with sufficient force. The partial crushing compensates for tolerance variations in the size of an opening into which the retainer is inserted or in the size of the retainer itself. The legs are elongated and terminate in wedge shaped feet at their distal end. The feet form a generally arrowhead-like shape for insertion into an opening. The structure of the feet and legs enables the legs to deflect toward each other (i.e., buckle) after the interior surfaces of the legs have made contact at their distal ends as the feet are pushed through the opening.

Abstract: A socket end closure arrangement comprises a socket 4 in an article 5 and a closure 1 for the socket end. The closure 1 comprises a plug 2 for fitting into the socket 4, and to which plug 2 is attached, preferably tangentially, a disc-like flange 3. The plug 2 has spherically-arranged surfaces having a curvature substantially derived from the surface of a sphere and permitting selection of the orientation of the plug in fitting of the plug 2, preferably in interference-fit manner, into the socket 4 from a plurality of alternative orientations about at least one axis transverse to the longitudinal axis y of the socket 4. The flange 3 preferably locates into a surface recess 7 to become flush with the surface of the article 5. The plug may be physically structured in providing resilience and accordingly may be segmented 24. The axis y may be non-perpendicular to the plane of, or tangent to, the article surface, and the axis x of the recess 7 may not be aligned with axis y.

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

Abstract: At least one end portion of a nut threadably engaged with a screw shaft is provided a mounting member mounting stepped portion, a radial through-hole is formed in the peripheral surface of the stepped portion and a radial pin insertion aperture is formed in the peripheral surface of a mounting member correspondingly to the through-hole, and an engagement recess is formed at a location whereat the through-hole and the pin insertion aperture are connected together. A pin member is provided with a protruded portion on the barrel portion thereof. The pin member is elastically deformed and inserted into the through-hole, and the tip end thereof is brought into engagement with the pin insertion aperture to fix the mounting member and bring the protruded portion into engagement with the engagement recess, thereby preventing the pin member from slipping out.

Abstract: A fastener 1 includes a stud 2 and a nut 3. The stud comprises a shank 21 having a breakable portion 22 at a mid portion thereof, a resilient section 24 formed at one end of the shank, a nut engagement portion including a threaded portion 28 extending up to the breakable portion along the shank, and a flange 23 disposed between the end of the shank and the nut engagement portion. The nut comprises an axial hole to allow the shank of the stud to pass therethrough, resilient engagement pawls 35 on the inner wall of the axial hole for resilient-engagement with the nut engagement portion of the stud, and a flange receiving surface 37 to abut upon the flange of the stud. The stud is inserted into holes of panels with the engagement section being inserted first and the nut is fitted over the stud with the flange receiving surface facing the panels. The shank is then drawn to break the breakable portion.

Abstract: A rod for a construction set includes an elongate strut that extends between opposed of interconnected joint elements. A cavity in each end of the strut slidably supports a clip having opposed inwardly deflectable fingers, with outwardly facing catches at their extremities, that snap fit into the joint openings in the joint element to clamp the joint element between the catches and the ends of the rods. The clips are moveable between closed positions where the fingers are engaged in the joint elements and open positions where the fingers are located completely within the cavity to allow the rod to be removed from opposed joint elements in a structure without disturbing the structure. The struts have slots in their extremities that intersect the cavities, and the fingers have protrusions that extend through the slots to facilitate deflecting the fingers inwardly to release the clips from the joint elements and in moving the clips between their open and closed positions.

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

Abstract: A fastener assembly for fastening an interior panel to an exterior or body panel of an automobile comprising a grommet of plastic material that forms a non-porous seamless bathtub-like enclosure surrounding a metal clip retainer member which is secured within the interior thereof; the retainer-grommet is designed to snap-fit into a hole in the body panel of an automobile. A depending lug or prong from the interior panel of the automobile is provided with an enlarged tip that cooperates with the metal clip retainer so that the prong can be pushed into a snap-fit relationship with the metal clip member within the sealed enclosure of the grommet or by pulling can be removed therefrom.

Abstract: A protective liner is secured to a truck cargo bed by a plurality of one-piece resilient fasteners each including a bearing plate and a clamp member. The bearing plate and clamp member are integrally formed with the clamp member extending perpendicularly from the bearing plate. A lever arm extends from a peripheral edge of the clamp member toward the bearing plate to a free end portion removed from contact with the base plate. The lever arm is normally spring biased downwardly away from the bearing plate. On installation the clamp member is projected through an opening in the liner with the peripheral edge sliding over the edge of the liner around the opening. As the clamp member advances through the opening, the lever arm slides on the liner edge and is urged upwardly toward the bearing plate to allow the clamp member to pass through the opening. The pivotal movement of the lever arm allows the bearing plate to be compressed against the liner without flexing the bearing plate relative to the clamp member.

Abstract: A matclip for easily securing a floor carpet and for preventing displacement of a floor mat which is laid on the floor carpet. The matclip is comprised of a base plate mounted on a floor carpet laid on a vehicle floor panel; a foldable leg which extends from a lower surface of the base plate and which is inserted into a through-hole defined in the floor carpet so as to easily secure the matclip to the floor carpet; a connecting plate provided at the lower end of the leg; a projection extending vertically upwardly toward the base plate from the connecting plate; a pair of engaging devices provided at a base portion of the leg for engaging the projection when the leg is folded; and a cylindrical engaging column extending vertically provided upwardly from an upper surface of the base plate and fixedly engaging a hole of the floor mat to prevent displacement thereof.