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. 10, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 19, 2011
Brian J. Jutila, Richmond, MI (US);
David K. Rock, Washington, MI (US);
Ronald J. Wojciechowski, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Srinivasa A. Mandadapu, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Michael J. Clark, Wixom, MI (US);
Vanessa Menezes Oliveira, Sao Paulo, BR;
Brian J. Jutila, Richmond, MI (US);
David K. Rock, Washington, MI (US);
Ronald J. Wojciechowski, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Srinivasa A. Mandadapu, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Michael J. Clark, Wixom, MI (US);
Vanessa Menezes Oliveira, Sao Paulo, BR;
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A tie-down assembly for attachment to and detachment from a structure, such as a vehicle pick-up bed, includes a female fastener configured to collapse during insertion of the tie-down assembly into the structure. The female fastener is also configured to expand following the insertion for retention of the tie-down assembly on the structure. The tie-down assembly also includes a male fastener configured to threadably engage the female fastener. Additionally, the tie-down assembly includes a holder configured to retain and rotatably restrain the female fastener when the male fastener is being threaded into the female fastener and when the male fastener is being threaded out of the female fastener. The holder includes an aperture and the male fastener is configured to be inserted into the aperture. The holder is also configured to guide the female fastener to a fixed position for removal of the tie-down assembly from the structure.