Newfrey Lcc

Emhart Inc.

Whitesell International Corporation

Zdravko Kovac

Nicholas M Benedetti

John M Parker

Roger E Pilon

Jeffrey C Lewis

Charles K Fischer

A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel includes a central pilot portion having a bore therethrough, and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A flange portion surrounds the outer surface of the pilot portion, and the flange portion includes an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion. The annular groove has a substantially V-shaped axial cross section. The self-attaching nut further includes a plurality of spaced raised buttons formed on a surface of the annular groove. The spaced raised buttons are configured to substantially prevent relative rotation between the nut and the panel, and configured to aid in preventing pull-out of the nut from the panel.

Self-attaching nut

A self-attaching fastener and panel assembly wherein the free open end of the tubular barrel portion is coined, collapsed axially, flattened and deformed radially inwardly and outwardly and axially against a panel surrounding the panel opening. The method of installation includes driving the free end of the tubular barrel portion against a substantially planar die surface, deforming an end portion radially, then collapsing an intermediate portion over the radially deformed end portion, flattening the end portion, substantially thickening the tubular barrel portion and forming an annular surface engaging and supporting the panel surrounding the opening. The die member includes an annular moat surrounding a central die post and a planar die surface extending generally perpendicular to the axis of the die button.

Self-attaching fastener and panel assembly, method of installation and die member

An assembly includes a piece to be held in a bore and a device in which the piece is inserted for holding the piece in the bore. The device comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a series of fins extending longitudinally of an inner surface of the sleeve and projecting inwardly from the inner surface. The fins are skewed in a same circumferential direction relative to radial planes of the sleeve. The sleeve and the fins are integrally formed of resilient flexible plastic. The flexibility of the fins is such that the fins can be readily deflected when engaged by an inserted piece. The device can be used as part of a combination that includes a body having a bore therein, and can be used in a method of holding a piece in a bore of a body.

Method for holding a piece in a bore

A clip retention system includes first and second body members. A first body member pin is joined by a living hinge to the second body member which permits an angular range of body member rotation. Retention elements partially enclose the pin. Upon living hinge failure the retention elements prevent body member disassociation for any angle within the angular range of rotation.

Hinged clip having a retainer

A self-attaching fastener and panel assembly wherein the free end of the tubular barrel portion is coined and deformed axially and radially outwardly against a planar die face into an annular shape having a planar annular bearing surface supporting the panel and a flat end face. The die includes a central post and an annular planar die surface extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the die member. The method of installation includes coining and deforming the barrel portion axially and radially eliminating cracking of the barrel, frictional resistance and hoop-stress.

Method of attaching a self-attaching fastener to a panel

A two component line clip for fixing a line therein includes a body defining an aperture. The body is formed from a material having a first hardness. The aperture is defined in part by a rib. An insert is secured within the aperture. The insert is formed from a material having a second hardness less than the first hardness. The insert includes a feature that cooperates with the rib to secure the insert within the aperture. The insert is adapted to fix the line therein.

Two component fuel and brake line clip

Apparatus and method for holding a piece in a bore

The disclosed fastener includes a body having a cavity therein and a wall at least partially surrounding said cavity. The fastener additionally includes a finger having a first member extending from the wall. The first member is attached to a second member having at least one engagement mechanism on its distal end adapted to cooperate with a second engagement mechanism on the stud to retain the fastener on the stud. The first member extends outwardly from the wall and the second member extends inwardly into the cavity. A plurality of fingers each include a lower surface angled upwardly toward the center of the cavity such that a stud contacting the lower surface will be moved toward the center of the cavity.

Fastener for variously sized studs

A first device is attached to a second device, particularly first and second radiators, using a retainer and a cooperable button. The retainer has a base and a stem projecting from one side thereof with an elongated ratchet for engaging at least one pawl in an axial opening of the button. The button, preferably a single piece, has a hub with an axial opening in which the pawl is located and has a resilient rim. In one embodiment, side-by-side devices are embraced between the base and the button. In another embodiment, one device is embraced between the base and the button, and the base has a superstructure for engaging the other device.

Radiator attachment assemblies, apparatus components, and methods

A device for holding a piece in a bore comprises a cylindrical sleeve constructed to be inserted into the bore and held therein by engagement of its outer surface with an inner surface of the bore, and an annular bead extending circumferentially and inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve, the bead being disposed to engage an outer surface of a piece inserted into the sleeve. The sleeve and the bead are integrally formed of resilient flexible plastic.

Device, assembly, and method for holding a piece in a bore

A device for holding a piece in a bore comprises a cylindrical sleeve constructed to be inserted into the bore and held therein by engagement of its outer surface with an inner surface of the bore, and a series of fins extending longitudinally of an inner surface of the sleeve and projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve, the fins being spaced from each other circumferentially of the sleeve with tips disposed to engage an outer surface of a piece inserted into the sleeve. The sleeve and the fins are integrally formed of resilient flexible plastic, and the fins are skewed in a same circumferential direction relative to radial planes of the sleeve. The flexibility of the fins is such that the fins can be readily deflected when engaged by an inserted piece.

Sleeve device with internal fins for holding a piece such as a bolt in a bore

Washer

A retaining device for securing insulation to sheet metal has a flange, an articulated structure and a push plate having an aperture therethrough such that when the retainer, except for the flange, is inserted in a hole in the insulation layer it allows a push plate to be pushed towards the flange, causing a pair of locking fingers to pivot and press up against the underside of the insulation in a locked position. The retaining device is then frictionally fitted over a stud member on the sheet metal to which the insulation layer is to be secured.

Insulation retainer

A fastener for releasably securing first and second panels together includes a pin for being secured in an opening of a first panel, and a grommet for being secured in an opening of the second panel and for releasably receiving a shank of the pin to thereby releasably secure the first and second panels together. The pin includes a shank having a plurality of spaced apart circumferential grooves thereon, and a pair of spaced apart flanges connected to an end of the shank for securing the pin in the opening of the first panel. The grommet includes a tubular body defining a passageway for receiving the shank and has at least one longitudinal slot opening outwardly to an end thereof to define a radially pliant portion of the tubular body. A flange may be connected to the tubular body adjacent an end thereof opposite the longitudinal slot and cooperates with a plurality of tabs connected to the tubular body to secure the grommet within the opening of the second panel. At least one inwardly extending projection is provided on an interior surface of the radially pliant portion of the tubular body for engaging one of the grooves of the shank for releasably securing the pin and grommet together.

Growing community of inventors

Chesterfield, MI, United States of America

Zdravko Kovac