US3574899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap fastener
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-04
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1989-09-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to one-piece fasteners of the type having a central longitudinal aperture for a worksupporting screw member and adapted to be snapped into association with a noncircular workpiece aperture. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes an elongate, substantially rigid or firm shank section having a longitudinal screw-accommodating aperture and laterally flexible shank sections superimposing the opposite sides of the rigid shank section. As the fastener is snapped into position within a work aperture, these flexible shank sections yield inwardly to facilitate initial insertion, peripheral shoulders intermediate the extremities of the flexible shank sections automatically flex outwardly as an incident to the movement of the shank sections for securing the fastener against axial movement in one direction and other shoulder means secure the fastener against movement in the opposite direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Julian V Fisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/068; B60Q1/0683; F; F16; F16B; F16B37/00; F16B37/04; F16B37/041; F16B37/043; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/913; Y10S411/955; Y10S411/965; Y10S411/97
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener for application to an apertured workpiece including an elongate, substantially rigid shank section having a central longitudinal screw accommodating aperture, longitudinal, laterally flexible shank sections superimposing and normally spaced from opposite sides of said rigid shank section, each of said laterally flexible sections being integrally connected at opposed extremities to said rigid section, said shank sections in combined cross section presenting an outer periphery of noncircular shape defining a crosssectional area which is reduced toward the entering extremity of the fastener to facilitate initial insertion thereof within a complementary work aperture, peripheral shoulder means intermediate the extremities of said flexible shank sections and adapted to shift radially inwardly upon initial insertion within a workpiece aperture and automatically to spring outwardly into interlocking relation with a marginal surface area adjacent said aperture when insertion is completed, and second shoulder means spaced axially from said first shoulder means toward the trailing end of the fastener for interlocking with the opposite marginal work surface area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener for application to an apertured workpiece including an elongate, substantially rigid shank section having a central longitudinal screw accommodating aperture, longitudinal, laterally flexible shank sections superimposing and normally spaced from opposite sides of said rigid shank section, each of said laterally flexible sections being integrally connected at opposed extremities to said rigid section, said shank sections in combined cross section presenting an outer periphery of noncircular shape defining a crosssectional area which is reduced toward the entering extremity of the fastener to facilitate initial insertion thereof within a complementary work aperture, peripheral shoulder means intermediate the extremities of said flexible shank sections and adapted to shift radially inwardly upon initial insertion within a workpiece aperture and automatically to spring outwardly into interlocking relation with a marginal surface area adjacent said aperture when insertion is completed, and second shoulder means spaced axially from said first shoulder means toward the trailing end of the fastener for interlocking with the opposite marginal work surface area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the oppositely disposed peripheral surfaces defined by the laterally flexible shank sections are inclined from the vicinity of the peripheral shoulder means thereof toward the entering extremity to facilitate initial insertion within a work aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the peripheral shoulder means associated with the flexible shank sections are disposed at 90* with respect to the second shoulder means spaced axially therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second shoulder means extends radially outwardly from opposite peripheral surfaces of the substantially rigid shank section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 4, wherein the oppositely disposed peripheral surfaces of the substantially rigid shank section from which the second shoulder means extend are substantially parallel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 4, wherein the oppositely disposed peripheral surfaces of the substantially rigid shank section from which the second shoulder means extend are separated from each other by a distance substantially equal to the width of the flexible shank sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the peripheral surfaces defined by the laterally flexible shank sections are inclined toward each other in the vicinity of the shoulder means thereof, and the width of said laterally flexible shank sections is uniform throughout substantially the entire axial extent thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 7, wherein the oppositely disposed edges of the flexible shank members and the adjacent peripheral surfaces of the rigid shank member are positioned within a common plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second shoulder means is axially yieldable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second shoulder means includes oppositely disposed, laterally flexible arms, the free extremities of which provide work-engaging surface areas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A one-piece plastic snapin-type fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second shoulder means includes a pair oF axially spaced shoulder members on one side of the fastener and a pair of oppositely disposed shoulder members on the opposite side of the fastener.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |