Quick release fastener

Claim 1

A quick release fastener useful in releasably connecting two members together which comprises: a fastener receptacle provided with a base portion for mounting it on one of said members and having an aperture extending therethrough with a tubular cluster of leaf springs surrounding the aperture and projecting outwardly from the base portion and terminating in an inwardly turned end portion with an inner camming surface and an outer locking edge; a fastener stud assembly including means for mounting it on the other of said members with a stud carried by said mounting means for axial reciprocation and formed with an operating head and a shank portion projecting therefrom for engagement between the tubular cluster of leaf springs in the receptacle, the shank portion terminating in an enlarged knob at the end thereof formed with a rounded camming outer surface to engage the inner camming surface of the leaf sPrings to spread them apart as the stud is projected into the receptacle and also with a locking shoulder on the inner edge of the knob for engagement with the locking edge of the leaf springs after the knob has been projected therethrough, the shank portion also having a flange projecting outwardly therefrom located between the head of the stud and the knob; and, a collar slideably mounted on the shank between the flange and knob and being shorter in length than the distance between the knob and flange so that it can slide with respect thereto, the outside diameter of such collar being at least approximately as great as the diameter of such knob so that when the knob is locked beyond the locking edge of the leaf springs and the stud is projected further inwardly to cause the flange to shift the collar to a position between the inwardly turned end portions of the leaf springs, the knob is released from engagement with the locking edge of the leaf springs to permit withdrawal of the fastener stud from the receptacle.