Illinois Tool Works Inc.

David W Edland

Brock T Cooley

Wayne Matthew Hansen

James T Kirchen

Andrew B Terrill

Adam C Peterson

Mark Owen Lepper

James S Tisol, Jr

Benjamin H Moerke

George Siragusa

Jesse L Jensen

Timothy D Pearson

Gregory S Flynn

Jeffrey J Steltz

Wes Sprague

James S Tisol Jr

Borck T Cooley

Retainer

A fastening clip assembly is configured to securely connect to a component, and may include at least one engagement member that is configured to securely engage a portion of the component. The engagement member(s) may include an angle-compensating surface that is configured to allow the fastening clip assembly to securely connect to the component over a range of angles.

Fastening clip assembly

A clip assembly is configured to securely connect a first structural component to a second structural component. The clip assembly may include an arc attachment member and an arc-receiving member. The arc attachment member may include a securing arc having a semi-circular rim. The arc attachment member is configured to be secured to one of the first or second structural components. The arc-receiving member may include an arc-receiving portion configured to receive the securing arc through multiple directions. The arc-receiving member is configured to be secured to the other of the first or second structural components. The securing arc is configured to be pivotally adjusted with respect to the arc-receiving portion.

Arcuate clip assembly

A vehicle headliner attachment system for displaceable attachment of a headliner to a sunroof assembly frame. The attachment system includes at least one snap-in male connector including a distal insertion head adapted to be press fit into a corresponding elongated female acceptance slot disposed at a position adjacent to the perimeter of a sunroof opening. The male connector is releasably held at a support element secured to the headliner. The support element is oriented on the headliner such that the male connector is slideable along the elongated female acceptance slot without disengaging from the support element when the headliner is moved rearward relative to the assembly frame.

Sunroof headliner attachment system

A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a first end secured within the body and a second end disposed outside the body, the retaining pin configured to limit the movement of a vehicle trim piece with respect to the vehicle chassis when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis and a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the trim piece to a vehicle chassis.

Fastener clip and method of fabricating the same

A w-base fastener that may be used in many applications, including numerous applications throughout the automotive industry, combines the functionality of a w-base fastener with the serviceability of other fasteners. The w-base fastener of the invention provides the ability to service the w-base fastener without damaging the panel or hole in which the fastener is inserted. This is accomplished by incorporating a break joint configured to break at a predetermined load. This break joint permits the fastener to be easily extracted when it breaks under the predetermined load. As the two sections of the fastener are separated, hooks on the fastener body engage tabs on the legs and pull the legs of the w-base fastener inward to prevent interference between the legs and the panel as the fastener is extracted from the hole.

Breakaway W-base fastener

A fastener assembly includes a grommet, a dampening subassembly, and a pin. The pin is secured to the grommet and the dampening subassembly. The pin is configured to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position with respect to the grommet. The pin secures to the grommet in the locked position, and is removable from the grommet in the unlocked position.

Fastener assembly

A fastener connects a first object to a second object and includes an anchor securable to the second object and configured to have a portion thereof pass through a hole in the first object. A latch is connectable to the anchor on a side of the first object opposite the second object. The latch is connectable without tools, and provides clamping force for securing the objects to each other.

Fastener

A accessory mounting mechanism for securing an accessory to the frame of a vehicle as herein disclosed. The accessory mounting mechanism generally comprises an upper grommet into which is inserted an end of the accessory, a lower grommet to which the upper grommet is secured, and a cap which covers both the upper and lower grommets. The lower grommet is provided with a retaining structure that engages a bore formed through the frame of the vehicle, so as to secure the accessory mounting mechanism thereto. The structure of the accessory mounting mechanism enables a simplified methodology for installing an accessory within a vehicle that involves the steps of pre-assembling the accessory mounting mechanism and then addressing the retaining structure of the accessory mounting mechanism to a bore formed through the frame of the vehicle so as to secure the accessory thereto.

Accessory mounting mechanism

The rivet includes a screw element which rotates within a body element. The body element includes an upper collar, integral with the body head, which is longitudinally stabilized with respect to the rotating screw element. The body element further includes a lower collar which is internally threaded and engages the external threads of the shank of the screw element. The lower collar therefore traverses a portion of the shank of the screw element as the screw element rotates. Folding legs join the upper collar and the lower collar. In the uninstalled position, the folding legs are parallel to and abut the screw shank. However, in the installed position, the lower collar approaches the upper collar and the legs fold so as to be substantially perpendicular to the screw shank.

Growing community of inventors

Chippewa Falls, WI, United States of America

David W Edland