US3944107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closure fastening means
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1975-01-13
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Granted: 1976-03-16
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Expires: 1995-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A plug or closure for closing and substantially sealing an aperture in a vehicle body panel. The plug comprises a plate portion and a resilient spring element carrying a plurality of resilient snap-engaging legs. The plate portion and the spring are separate and can be formed from different materials. The plate portion has an undersurface and one or more bosses in the undersurface defining a plurality of side walls. The spring has a body integral with the legs defining a plurality of edges and the spring is attached to the plate by forcing the body of the spring between or over the bosses or boss respectively so that the edges of the body of the spring frictionally engage the side walls of the boss or bosses. The plug may be provided with a ring of sealing material on the periphery of the undersurface of the plate.
Inventors
- 👤 John Bernard Wallace
- 👤 Frederick William Ballard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:53
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A plug for closing an aperture in a panel comprising a generally flat metal plate adapted to cover the aperture in the panel, an undersurface on the plate, at least one boss in the undersurface of the plate defining at least two spaced sidewall portions, a resilient metal spring comprising a body portion attached to the undersurface of the plate and at least two resilient legs depending from the undersurface of the plate and adapted for snapengagement through the aperture in the panel, wherein the body portion is provided with at least two spaced edge portions in frictional engagement with the said at least two spaced sidewall portions of the boss to retain the spring and the plate together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A plug for closing an aperture in a panel comprising a generally flat metal plate adapted to cover the aperture in the panel, an undersurface on the plate, at least one boss in the undersurface of the plate defining at least two spaced sidewall portions, a resilient metal spring comprising a body portion attached to the undersurface of the plate and at least two resilient legs depending from the undersurface of the plate and adapted for snapengagement through the aperture in the panel, wherein the body portion is provided with at least two spaced edge portions in frictional engagement with the said at least two spaced sidewall portions of the boss to retain the spring and the plate together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is formed with a single boss defining the said two sidewall portions, the body portion of the spring is formed with an aperture of substantially the same shape as the boss and defining the said two spaced edge portions, the spring being attached to the plate with the boss extending through the aperture and the said edge portions frictionally engaging the said sidewall portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A plug as claimed in claim 2, wherein a ring of plastics sealing material is provided on the periphery of the undersurface of the plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A plug as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ring of plastics material comprises a resilient ring which is sprung onto the edge of the plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A plug as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sealing material is a plastics, heat softenable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A plug as claimed in claim 2, wherein the boss in the plate and the aperture in the body portion of the spring are circular and the spring includes at least three legs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is formed with a plurality of said bosses which are spaced apart, the body portion of the spring is formed with a plurality of outer edge portions, the body of the spring is located between the bosses on the plate and the said edge portions are frictionally engaged with the side wall portions of the bosses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A plug as claimed in claim 7, wherein a ring of plastics sealing material is provided on the periphery of the undersurface of the plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A plug as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ring of plastics material comprises a resilient ring which is sprung onto the edge of the plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A plug as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sealing material is a plastics, heat softenable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plug as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plate and the spring are formed from materials of different thickness.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2626080A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-16 | 1979-09-15 | 1980-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-16 | 1983-09-15 | 1984-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-16 | 1987-09-15 | 1988-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |