Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Chrysler Corporation

Illionis Tool Works, Inc.

James E Marion

Thomas A Benoit

James E Gugle

Andrew J Palmisano

Duane M Schultz

Tyler Kim

A coupling arrangement for connecting a vehicle door lock operator to a vehicle door lock, including a rod having an outer end connected to the door lock, and a hooked inner end. A clip has an outer end pivotally connected to the door lock operator. The clip has a hole between its ends in which the hooked inner end of the rod is engaged. The clip has a sleeve at its inner end for holding the rod engaged in the hole.

Coupling arrangement for a vehicle door lock assembly

A method and apparatus for releasably retaining and mounting an article such as tubular members. The apparatus includes a body member having an article retention portion for capturing an article and a mounting surface. A hinged cover is releasably disposable over the article retention portion of the body member for releasably retaining an article captured in the article retention portion of the body member. A first engagable clasp having a first latching surface is disposed on a second end portion of the cover and a first latch engaging surface is disposed on the body member, wherein the first latching surface is engagable with the first latch engaging surface when the cover is disposed over the article retention portion of the body member. A second engagable clasp having a second latching surface is disposed on the body member and a second latch engaging surface is disposed on the second end portion of the cover, wherein the second latching surface is engagable with the second latch engaging surface when the cover is disposed over the article retention portion of the body member. The first latching surface and the second latch engaging surface on the cover extend away from one another, and the second latching surface and the first latch engaging surface on the body member extend toward one another to prevent inadvertent release of the cover form the body member.

Method and apparatus for a double clasp retention clip

A screw and grommet fastener assembly for securing two mating panels together where the grommet absorbs variations in the relative positions of the panels and allows for expansion of a body portion thereof during insertion of the screw to withstand higher torques from screws of different sizes and dimensions without causing damage to the grommet.

High torque screw and grommet fastener assembly

A fastener including a body portion having a head member and a shank member integrally formed with one side of the head member, the head member including a central aperture and at least one flexible engagement member intergrally formed with the head member opposite the shank member and extending intothe aperture a predetermined distance, the shank member including at least two substantially resilient leg member each having a conically shaped interior surface which oppose each other forming a tapered axial bore through the shank member tapering away from and in cooperative alignment with the aperture and a drive pin having a predetermined length and cross-sectional configuration for complementary engagement with the aperture, flexible engagement member, axial bore and leg members, the drive pin icluding at least a first concave longitudinal channel formed along its length and extending into the drive pin which includes at least a first lateral ramp member extending across the width of the first channel for cooperative engagement with the flexible engagement member so that upon insertion of the drive pin through the aperture the first ramp member engages and outwardly flexes the flexible engagement member to enable passage of the first ramp member thereby, the engagement member thereafter being releasably locked behind the first ramp member to restrict removal of the drive pin from the aperture of the head member.

Growing community of inventors

Bonfield, IL, United States of America

James E Marion