Eaton Corporation

James P Clinch

Michael R Danby

Hans R Rattmann

James H Laarman

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.

Snap-in fastener

A clip on fastener (100) is provided that features a pair of spaced apart legs (2) and (6) extending from a closed end (9) to an open end (10) of fastener (100). Leg (6) includes a pair of resilient arms (16 and 18) that extend away from the side of the leg (6) facing away from leg (2) and end in overhanging relationship to an opening (7) through arm (16). Arm (18) extends towards closed end (9) and includes a guide tab (20) that extends angularly away from leg (2) towards open end (10). Tab (20) is operative to initiate separation of legs (2 and 6) to enhance receipt of an edge of a panel or plate (P) into open end (10).

Clip-on fastener

A push-in fastener (50) is provided having a base portion (4) having a threaded aperture (11) for receiving a threaded member (8) therethrough and from which a pair of spaced-apart resilient legs (14,14') extend that are configured to contract towards each other sufficiently to be received through an opening (16) through a workpiece (12) and then expand to secure fastener (50) thereto yet have respective free-ends (18,18') that are lockingly engaged together by a tab (20) in one of legs (14,14') to prevent warpage and undesirable movement in the legs (14,14').

Push-in fastener

A press-in fastener clip (50) is provided that features a resilient locking arm (10) having a surface (18) adapted to releasably secure clip (50) to an aperture (16). Clip (50) has a V shaped insertion leg (8) that is operative to assist in securing clip (50) to aperture (16) as well as to automatically urge clip (50) outwardly therefrom upon manual release of locking arm (10).

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

James P Clinch