Fastener

Claim 2

A molded one-piece fastener adapted to receive a threaded member and adapted for insertion into and toggle action self anchoring with the opposite side of an apertured panel, said fastener being molded in two joined, substantially crosssectionally semicircular complementary sections adapted to be manually folded over upon the other, concave-surface-to-concave surface, to form an axially extending hollow body having an axially extending threaded member receiving cavity therethrough, said body having an internally threaded driven end and a distal flange end, each of said complementary sections comprising: a driven end portion for insertion through a panel aperture, said driven end portion having molded threads on the concave surface thereof; at least one convexly extending loop; and one concave loop-receiving cavity for each loop extended from said complementary section, said loop-receiving cavity receiving the loop extending from the other complementary portion in a resilient interference fit relation when said sections are folded over upon one another to maintain said sections in said folded relation, said loops partially defining said axially extending threaded member receiving cavity.

Claim 3

The fastener of claim 1 wherein said loops and said loop-receiving cavities define a loop portion, said loop portion being axially adjacent said internally-threaded driven end.

Claim 4

The fastener of claim 1 wherein said molded threads in each complementary section are positioned to cooperate with the other complementary section molded threads to form a substantially continuous thread when said sections are in a folded position.

Claim 5

The fastener of claim 1 wherein said sections are joined driven-end-to-driven-end by a plurality of web means.

Claim 6

The fastener of claim 2 wherein said complementary sections additionally comprise a toggle action rib section interposed said flange end and said loop portion, each of said rib sections comprising a plurality of axially-extending strips separated by axially-extending slits.

Claim 7

The fastener of claim 5 wherein said strips are weakened at an intermediate point by a reduction in material.

Claim 8

The fastener of claim 6 wherein said strips are radially outwardly flared at said intermediate point.

Claim 9

The fastener of claim 5 wherein said strips are adapted to extend radially outwardly at equal circumferential intervals upon self-anchoring of said fastener to the apertured panel.

Claim 10

The fastener of claim 8 wherein the number of toggle action ribs is dependent upon the number of axial slits in each complementary section.

Claim 11

The fastener of claim 2 wherein the concave surface of each loop carries at least a partial molded thread.

Claim 12

The fastener of claim 5 wherein said flange portion comprises a radially outwardly extending flange adapted to engage the apertured panel upon proper axial insertion of said driven end through said panel aperture.

Claim 13

The fastener of claim 11 wherein said flange portion additionally comprises a plurality of radially outwardly extending members adapted to engage said panel and maintain said fastener rotationally fixed to said panel.

Claim 14

A molded one-piece fastener adapted to receive a threaded member and adapted for toggle action self-anchoring in an apertured panel; said fastener being molded in two joined, substantially cross-sectionally semicircular complementary sections adapted to be manually folded over upon the other, concave-surface-to-concave-surface, to form an axially extending hollow body having an axially extending threaded member receiving cavity therethrough, said body having an internally threaded driven end and a distal flange end, each of said complementary sections comprising: a driven end portion having molded threads on the concave surface thereof, the molded threads of each section adapted to cooperate with the molded threads of the other section to form a continuous thread upon folding of the sections; a loop portion adjacent said driven end, said loop portion comprising at least one convexly extending loop, said convexly extending loop having a molded thread on the interior surface thereof, and one concave loop receiving cavity for each loop of the other complementary section, said loop receiving cavity receiving the loop extending from the other complementary section in a resilient interference fit relation when said sections are folded over upon one another to maintain said sections in a folded relation; said loops partially defining said axially extending threaded member receiving cavity; a toggle action rib portion interposed said loops and said flange end, siaid toggle action rib section comprising a plurality of axially extending strips separated by axially extending slits, said axially extending strips weakened at an intermediate point by the reduction of material thereat, said strips being radially outwardly flared at said intermediate point; and a flange end comprising a radially outwardly extending flange adapted to engage the apertured panel upon proper axial insertion of said driven end through said aperture.

Claim 15

A molded one-piece fastener adapted to receive a threaded member and adapted for toggle action self-anchoring in an apertured panel; said fastener being molded in two joined, substantially cross-sectionally semicircular complementary sections adapted to be manually folded over upon the other, concave-surface-to-concave-surface, to form an axially extending hollow body having an axially extending threaded member receiving cavity therethrough, said body having an internally threaded driven end and a distal flange end, each of said complementary sections comprising: a driven end portion having molded threads on the concave surface thereof, the molded threads of each section adapted to cooperate with the molded threads of the other section to form a continuous thread upon folding of the sections; a loop portion adjacent said driven end, said loop portion comprising at least one convexly extending loop, said convexly extending loop having a molded thread on the interior surface thereof, and one concave loop receiving cavity for each loop of the other complementary section, said loop receiving cavity receiving the loop extending from the other complementary section in a resilient interference fit relation when said sections are folded over upon one another to maintain said sections in a folded relation; said loops partially defining said axially extending threaded member receiving cavity; a toggle action rib portion interposed said loops and said flange end, siaid toggle action rib section comprising a plurality of axially extending strips separated by axially extending slits, said axially extending strips weakened at an intermediate point by the reduction of material thereat, said strips being radially outwardly flared at said intermediate point; and a flange end comprising a radially outwardly extending flange adapted to engage the apertured panel upon proper axial insertion of said driven end through said aperture.

Claim 16

The fastener of claim 13 wherein said complementary sections are joined driven end-to-driven-end by means of at least one flexible member extending therebetween.

Claim 17

The fastener of claim 13 wherein said complementary sections are joined side-by-side by means of at least one flexible member extending therebetween.

Claim 18

The fastener of claim 13 wherein said complementary sections are joined flange-end-to-flange-end by means of at least one flexible member extending therebetween.

Claim 19

A molded one-piece axially extending toggle action self-anchoring fastener formed from two joined axially-extending complementary sections and having an axially extending threaded member receiving cavity therethrough, said fastener comprising: an internally threaded driven end; at least one loop extending from each section, said loop resiliently engaging said other section when said sections are manually folded over upon one another, said loops partially defining said threaded member receiving cavity; a flange end; and a toggle action rib section interposed between said loops and said flange end.

Claim 20

A molded one-piece axially extending toggle action self-anchoring fastener formed from two joined axially-extending complementary sections and having an axially extending threaded member receiving cavity therethrough, said fastener comprising: an internally threaded driven end; at least one loop extending from each section, said loop resiliently engaging said other section when said sections are manually folded over upon one another, said loops partially defining said threaded member receiving cavity; a flange end; and a toggle action rib section interposed between said loops and said flange end.

Claim 21

The fastener of claim 17 additionally comprising a plurality of flexible webs joining said sections at the driven ends thereof.

Claim 22

The fastener of claim 18 wherein said loops have a partial thread molded on the interior thereof.

Claim 23

The fastener of claim 19 wherein said flange end includes radially outwardly extending antirotation means.

Claim 24

The fastener of claim 18 wherein said toggle action rib section comprises a plurality of axially extending strips separated by axially extending slits, said strips weakened at an intermediate point by a relative reduction of material thereat.

Claim 25

The fastener of claim 21 wherein said strips are radially outwardly flared at said intermediate point.