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:
May. 24, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 09, 2008
Roman Mudel, Novi, MI (US);
Robert J. Moran, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Thomas Richard Durkin, Oxford, MI (US);
Iain J. Read, Warren, MI (US);
Roman Mudel, Novi, MI (US);
Robert J. Moran, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Thomas Richard Durkin, Oxford, MI (US);
Iain J. Read, Warren, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An assembly for connecting a component having a base to a surface includes a fastener and a retainer having a clamp portion for capturing a shank of the fastener, and for aligning the fastener and an optional gasket with the base. The retainer automatically separates from the fastener when the fastener is tightened, and may include a recovery feature to allow recovery of the retainer after separation. A method for facilitating connection of a component and gasket to a surface includes inserting a threaded fastener into a base of the component, capturing the fastener within a clamp portion of a retainer, and positioning a surface of the retainer adjacent to the base. A tab portion of a gasket or the base can be inserted into a slot in the retainer to thereby secure the retainer to the base prior to connecting the component to the surface.