US3700135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hole plug
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-22
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1990-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A plug assembly for closing preformed apertures in panels, or for closing holes resulting from removal of so-called knock-outs, and the like; and which includes a hole-closing shallow cup-like or dished formation with outward peripheral flange means and a spring disk fixed to the bottom of the cup-like formation by riveting, welding or the like and extending slightly outwardly beyond the cup-like formation for disposition in spaced relation to the flange means; and the spring disk being slit radially inwardly or provided with a cut-out portion with the adjacent portion being deflected downwardly to provide a leading ramp or cam surface so that insertion of the leading edge of the ramp through the panel aperture and wedging placement thereof under the blind face of the panel with subsequent rotation of the plug assembly in the direction of the leading edge of the ramp will effect progressive downward flexing of the trailing peripheral portions of the spring disk to underlie the blind face of the panel with the flange means engaging the accessible face of the panel and with the cup-like formation plugging the aperture in the panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J Collier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:42
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D51/00; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A plug assembly for closing panel apertures and the like, and comprising a body member presenting a generally horizontally disposed peripheral flange portion dimensioned to overlie an exposed panel face around the aperture, and a spring disk secured to the underside of the body member and dimensioned to underlie the blind face of the panel around the aperture and spaced from the body member by a distance approximately the thickness of the panel; and said spring disk having a portion of the peripheral edge continuity thereof interrupted with a portion proximate to the interruption deflected away from the body member to provide a leading inclined ramp surface insertable through the panel aperture to engage beneath the blind face of the panel such that rotation of the plug assembly in the leading direction of the ramp surface will effect progressive flexing of the trailing peripheral edge portions of the spring disk away from the body member with ultimate positioning and engagement thereof against the blind face of the panel around the aperture to hold the body flange portion in engagement with the exposed panel face around the aperture wherein the body member includes a dished central portion within the flange portion to snugly fit within the panel aperture when closed by the plug assembly, the spring disk being secured to the underside of the dished portion in order to space the spring disc axially from the horizontal flange portion for snugly receiving the edge of the panel aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A plug assembly for closing panel apertures and the like, and comprising a body member presenting a generally horizontally disposed peripheral flange portion dimensioned to overlie an exposed panel face around the aperture, and a spring disk secured to the underside of the body member and dimensioned to underlie the blind face of the panel around the aperture and spaced from the body member by a distance approximately the thickness of the panel; and said spring disk having a portion of the peripheral edge continuity thereof interrupted with a portion proximate to the interruption deflected away from the body member to provide a leading inclined ramp surface insertable through the panel aperture to engage beneath the blind face of the panel such that rotation of the plug assembly in the leading direction of the ramp surface will effect progressive flexing of the trailing peripheral edge portions of the spring disk away from the body member with ultimate positioning and engagement thereof against the blind face of the panel around the aperture to hold the body flange portion in engagement with the exposed panel face around the aperture wherein the body member includes a dished central portion within the flange portion to snugly fit within the panel aperture when closed by the plug assembly, the spring disk being secured to the underside of the dished portion in order to space the spring disc axially from the horizontal flange portion for snugly receiving the edge of the panel aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A plug assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge portion of the spring disk projects radially slightly beyond the peripheral edge of the dished central portion and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the panel aperture, to provide with the body flange portion a laterally open peripheral recess receiving the edge of the panel around the aperture when closed by the plug assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A plug assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body flange portion is provided with upstanding spaced lugs at the periphery thereof to serve as finger grip members for rotating the plug assembly to aperture closing position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A plug assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge portion of the spring disk is interrupted by an inwardLy extending cut-out with an adjacent portion of the disk reflected out of the plane thereof to provide the ramp surface with a leading edge for initial placement beneath the blind face of the panel in position for rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A plug assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cut-out portion is along a spiral edge presenting a leading pointed end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A plug assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the dished portion is of a depth less than the panel thickness for maintaining the peripheral edge portion of the spring disk in stressed resilient engagement with the blind face of the panel around the aperture when the plug assembly is in aperture closing position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A plug assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the outer edge of the dished portion fits snugly with the panel aperture when the plug assembly is in aperture closing position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A plug assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the body flange portion is provided with peripherally spaced upstanding lug means for rotating the plug assembly to aperture closing position.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |