Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Stephane Dorschner

Michel Kuhm

Laurent Vogler

A fastener assembly () includes a securing panel () and a fixation member () that projects away from the securing panel along a center axis (). The fixation member includes opposing arms () that are angled toward the center axis and opposite ribs () disposed between the arms and angled toward the center axis. The fixation member is inserted through openings in first and second components. The arms engage the first component and the securing panel engages the second while the fastener assembly is in a locked state to secure the first and second components together. The fixation member is partially rotated around the center axis to transition the fixation member to an unlocked state. The ribs are brought into contact with an edge of the first component and the arms are moved out of contact with the first component while the fastener assembly is in the unlocked state to decouple the components from each other.

Fastener assembly

A hole plug is configured to plug a hole of a component, and includes a first lip that is configured to be positioned on a first surface of the component, and second lip that is configured to be positioned on a second surface of the component. The second surface is opposite from the first surface. At least one of the first lip or the second lip includes a first lip segment, a second lip segment, and at least one gap formed between the first lip segment and the second lip segment. The gap(s) is configured to allow the first lip segment and second lip segment to deflect and rotate relative to one another to adapt a size of the first lip and/or the second lip to the hole of the component.

Adaptable sealing hole plug

A sealing plug for closing an opening in a component, in particular a body component of a motor vehicle, has a base body which is formed such that it can cover the opening and engage behind an edge of the opening. On the base body a sealing body is arranged, which includes a ring portion and several lamellae with free radial ends, which protrude from the ring portion and are flexible in circumferential direction. The sealing plug is pushed into the opening such that the rear-side latching lip engages behind the edge of the opening, wherein the lamellae of the sealing body are deformed in circumferential direction and center the sealing plug in the opening. After heating of the sealing plug a sealing material of the sealing body, which expands under the influence of heat, encloses the inner edge of the opening as well as radially adjoining regions of the front side and the rear side of the component around the entire circumference of the opening and completely fills the space formed between the supporting lip, the latching lip and the component.

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Weiterswiller, France

Stephane Dorschner