Multi-purpose two-piece plastic fastener

Abstract

A two-piece molded plastic fastener comprises a hollow body and a pin insertable thereinto. The body has a head and a bore defined by a resiliently deformable grooved bore wall. The pin has a pin head and a serrated pin shank. When fully installed in an aperture in a workpiece (which comprises one or more panels), the serrated pin shank is frictionally engaged with and digs into the resilient grooved bore wall (i.e., is 'set'), and the two heads bear against opposite sides of the workpiece. Depending on fastener design, the heads either apply a predetermined pressure on the workpiece (depending on the setting force) or are maintained at a predetermined distance from each other when set. Either the body or pin or both may embody features (such as holes, screw threads, hooks, snap fasteners) which enable objects to be secured thereto. In addition, the pin may have an axial bore therethrough to enable the fastener to serve as a bushing. The body and pin may be installed separately in the aperture from opposite sides of the workpiece and then set, either manually or with a known tool which engages and then detaches a breakaway extension on the pin shank projecting from the bore. Alternately, a pre-assembled body and pin (with breakaway extension) may be installed and set from one side of the workpiece, if the workpiece aperture and both fastener heads are appropriately shaped.