US3842709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Push-in fastener
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-08-20
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A push-in fastener assembly adapted to be inserted into an aperture in a support panel, the fastener having a stud section with a first portion of a diameter to enter the aperture in the support panel and a reduced diameter portion with a radial flange at its free end, an expander with fingers outwardly flexible encircles the reduced diameter portion with a compression spring being positioned between the expander and the radial flange to normally bias the expander toward the first portion of the stud, a flanged ring encircling the expander to releasably retain the fingers thereof radially inward. When the push-in fastener is inserted into the aperture in the support panel, the flanged ring engages the front side of the support panel and becomes disengaged from the expander as the fastener is moved axially to thus allow the fingers of the expander to extend outward to engage the back side of the support panel with the spring exerting a retention force against the expander.
Inventors
- 👤 L Fuqua
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/06; F16B21/08; F16B21/086; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/913; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/34; Y10T24/3497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A push-in fastener adapted for insertion through an aperture in a support panel to secure a component thereto, said fastener including a fastener body having a head portion and a stud extending therefrom, said stud having a first portion adjacent to said head portion of a diameter to be slidably received in the aperture of the support panel and a second portion of a reduced diameter with a radial extending flange at its free end, an expander having a flanged tubular body portion slidably encircling said second portion of said stud and having flexible fingers extending axially therefrom toward said first portion and normally extending radially outward therefrom, a coil spring encircling said second portion with one end of said spring abutting against said radial extending flange and its other end abutting against said flanged tubular body portion of said expander and, a flanged retainer ring having a hub portion slidable axially on said first portion of said stud and positioned to releasably encircle and retain said flexible fingers in a radial inward position and a flange portion adapted to be in interference with the surface of the support panel as said stud of said fasteners is inserted into the aperture in the support panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A push-in fastener adapted for insertion through an aperture in a support panel to secure a component thereto, said fastener including a fastener body having a head portion and a stud extending therefrom, said stud having a first portion adjacent to said head portion of a diameter to be slidably received in the aperture of the support panel and a second portion of a reduced diameter with a radial extending flange at its free end, an expander having a flanged tubular body portion slidably encircling said second portion of said stud and having flexible fingers extending axially therefrom toward said first portion and normally extending radially outward therefrom, a coil spring encircling said second portion with one end of said spring abutting against said radial extending flange and its other end abutting against said flanged tubular body portion of said expander and, a flanged retainer ring having a hub portion slidable axially on said first portion of said stud and positioned to releasably encircle and retain said flexible fingers in a radial inward position and a flange portion adapted to be in interference with the surface of the support panel as said stud of said fasteners is inserted into the aperture in the support panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A push-in fastener according to claim 1 wherein said head portion of said fastener is an integral part of the component being secured to the support panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A push-in fastener according to claim 1 wherein said head portion is of a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of said first portion of said stud.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
225 words
A push-in fastener adapted for passage into aligned apertures in a panel and a support panel comprising a fastener body having an enlarged head portion and a stud extending therefrom, said stud having a first diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion with an intervening shoulder therebetween, said first diameter portion being adjacent said head portion and of a size to be slidably received in the apertures in the panel and support panel, said reduced diameter portion having a radial extending flange at its free end, an expander having a tubular body portion loosely encircling said reduced diameter portion and movable axially thereon and a plurality of flexible fingers extending axially from said tubular body portion toward said head portion and radially outward thereof, a coiled compression spring encircling said reduced diameter portion engaging said radiAl extending flange and said tubular body portion of said expander to bias said expander toward said head portion and, a retainer ring slidably encircling said first diameter portion and having a hub portion positioned to encircle and releasably retain said flexible fingers in a radial inward position with the free ends of said fingers in abutment against said shoulder and a radial extending portion of a diameter to be in interference relationship to the panel as said stud is inserted through the apertures in the panel and support panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
225 words
A push-in fastener adapted for passage into aligned apertures in a panel and a support panel comprising a fastener body having an enlarged head portion and a stud extending therefrom, said stud having a first diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion with an intervening shoulder therebetween, said first diameter portion being adjacent said head portion and of a size to be slidably received in the apertures in the panel and support panel, said reduced diameter portion having a radial extending flange at its free end, an expander having a tubular body portion loosely encircling said reduced diameter portion and movable axially thereon and a plurality of flexible fingers extending axially from said tubular body portion toward said head portion and radially outward thereof, a coiled compression spring encircling said reduced diameter portion engaging said radiAl extending flange and said tubular body portion of said expander to bias said expander toward said head portion and, a retainer ring slidably encircling said first diameter portion and having a hub portion positioned to encircle and releasably retain said flexible fingers in a radial inward position with the free ends of said fingers in abutment against said shoulder and a radial extending portion of a diameter to be in interference relationship to the panel as said stud is inserted through the apertures in the panel and support panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
A push-in fastener adapted to be inserted into an aperture in a support panel, said fastener including enlarged head means with a stud extending therefrom, said stud having a first portion of a diameter to permit its entry into the aperture in the support panel and a second portion of reduced diameter with a radial flange at its free end, an expander with flexible fingers normally flexed radially outward loosely encircles said second portion with said fingers directed toward said head means, a compression spring being positioned between said radial flange and said expander to bias said expander toward said head means and, a flanged ring encircling the first portion of said stud and said fingers of said expander to releasably retain said fingers radially inward, said flanged ring having a hub portion of a diameter to be slidably received in the aperture of the support panel and a flange portion adapted to engage a face surface of the support panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
161 words
A push-in fastener adapted to be inserted into an aperture in a support panel, said fastener including enlarged head means with a stud extending therefrom, said stud having a first portion of a diameter to permit its entry into the aperture in the support panel and a second portion of reduced diameter with a radial flange at its free end, an expander with flexible fingers normally flexed radially outward loosely encircles said second portion with said fingers directed toward said head means, a compression spring being positioned between said radial flange and said expander to bias said expander toward said head means and, a flanged ring encircling the first portion of said stud and said fingers of said expander to releasably retain said fingers radially inward, said flanged ring having a hub portion of a diameter to be slidably received in the aperture of the support panel and a flange portion adapted to engage a face surface of the support panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |