Fastener device

Claim 2

A unitary fastener mounting a plurality of panels having like-sized apertures through which said fastener extends in spaced, generally-superposed relation, said fastener comprising: an elongated body member of polymeric material having a plurality of elongated, axially-extending spaced slots extending therethrough; a set of protuberances for each slot extending from the surface of said member and axially-extending a distance less than that of said slots; each set having at least two protuberances with one protuberance spaced on one side of said slot and the other protuberance on the other side of said slot and each protuberance in each set axially-spaced from one another a distance corresponding to the thickness of said plates whereby said panels are mounted by the fastener; and said body member having a cross-sectional configuration between said protuberance sets generally conforming to said apertures in said panels.

Claim 3

The fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein each protuberance includes an outwardly-tapered ramp-like surface and a cam-like surface extending inwardly from said ramplike surface toward said body member, the intersection of said ramp-like surface with said cam-like surface defining the maximum height of each protuberance, said maximum height being not less than one-third the width of said slot.

Claim 4

The fastener as defined in claim 2 wherein said maximum height is not greater than said slot width.

Claim 5

The fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein each axial end of said body member coincides with an end of a protuberance set to define bifurcated axial-end portion constructions in said elongated member.

Claim 6

A unitary fastener for mounting a plurality of panels having like-sized apertures through which said fastener extends in spaced, generally-superposed relation, said fastener comprising: an elongated body member of polymeric material having a plurality of elongated, axially-extending slots extending there-through, said slots spaced to define bifurcated axial end portion constructions in said elongated member with at least one slot interposed said end portions; a set of protuberances for each slot extending from the surface of said member and axially-extending a distance less than that of said slots; each set defined by a first pair of aligned protuberances disposed on opposite sides of said slot, a second pair of aligned protuberances disposed on opposite sides of said slot, said first and second pairs spaced apart a predetermined distance for mounting a panel between said pairs; and each protuberance defined by an outwardly-tapered ramp-like surface and a cam-like surface extending inwardly from said ramp-like surface toward said body member.

Claim 7

A unitary fastener for mounting a plurality of panels having like-sized apertures through which said fastener extends in spaced, generally-superposed relation, said fastener comprising: an elongated body member of polymeric material having a plurality of elongated, axially-extending slots extending there-through, said slots spaced to define bifurcated axial end portion constructions in said elongated member with at least one slot interposed said end portions; a set of protuberances for each slot extending from the surface of said member and axially-extending a distance less than that of said slots; each set defined by a first pair of aligned protuberances disposed on opposite sides of said slot, a second pair of aligned protuberances disposed on opposite sides of said slot, said first and second pairs spaced apart a predetermined distance for mounting a panel between said pairs; and each protuberance defined by an outwardly-tapered ramp-like surface and a cam-like surface extending inwardly from said ramp-like surface toward said body member.