The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 2002
Filed:
May. 31, 2000
John D. Fischer, Whitmore Lake, MI (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
A U-nut type fastener, for forming a vertically stacked or nested array of such fasteners, comprises an annular hoop member or retainer ring formed upon a lower arm member of the fastener, and an upstanding sleeve member or internally threaded nut is formed upon an upper arm member of the fastener. When the fasteners are stacked or nested in a vertical array, the annular hoop member or retainer ring of an upper one of the fasteners will engage and be seated upon the sleeve or nut member of a lower one of the fasteners. A latch member formed upon a forward end portion of the lower fastener also engages a forward recessed or cut-out region of the upper fastener so as to prevent relative rotation of the fasteners within the stacked or nested array as well as to maintain the forward ends of the fasteners vertically spaced and parallel, and in a similar manner, a dimple is provided upon a rear end portion of the upper arm member of each fastener for engaging an undersurface portion of an upper fastener so as to maintain rear portions of the fasteners vertically spaced and parallel.