US4377358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expansion fastner
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1980-12-29
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Granted: 1983-03-22
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Expires: 2000-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A one-piece, plastic fastener for lockable engagement in an opening in a panel, comprising a stem having an inner and an outer end. A pair of legs is formed integrally with and extends from the inner end, the legs being in parallelism with one another and in general axial alignment with the stem. Each of the legs has integrally formed therewith at a juncture an elongated arm positioned at an acute angle relative to its leg. The arms each have a free end which terminates in an integrally formed head portion, and the head portions are cooperatively engageable with one another and swingable about the juncture and with their respective arm towards one another to form a complete head having an orifice embracing the stem. The stem and arms are drivable into the opening in the panel to locate the head against an outer side of the panel. Serration means are provided between the head and the stem to maintain the fastener in lockable engagement with the panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Burnell J. Wollar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:14
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/06; F16B5/0607; F16B5/0621; F16B5/0642; F16B13/00; F16B13/04; F16B13/06; F16B13/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A one-piece, plastic fastener for lockable engagement in an opening in a panel, said fastener comprising a stem having an inner end and an outer end, a pair of legs formed integrally with and extending from said inner end in parallelism with one another and in general axial alignment with said stem, each of said legs having an elongated arm integrally formed therewith at a juncture, said arm positioned at an acute angle relative to its leg, said arms each having a free end which terminates in an integrally formed head portion, said head portions being cooperatively engageable with one another along a plurality of bevelled edges, said bevelled edges oriented in a non-radial manner along said head portions, said head portions being swingable about said juncture and with their respective arm towards one another to form a complete head having an orifice embracing said stem, said stem and arms being drivable into said opening in said panel to locate said head against an outer side of said panel, and serration means between said head and said stem to maintain said fastener in said lockable engagement with said panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A one-piece, plastic fastener for lockable engagement in an opening in a panel, said fastener comprising a stem having an inner end and an outer end, a pair of legs formed integrally with and extending from said inner end in parallelism with one another and in general axial alignment with said stem, each of said legs having an elongated arm integrally formed therewith at a juncture, said arm positioned at an acute angle relative to its leg, said arms each having a free end which terminates in an integrally formed head portion, said head portions being cooperatively engageable with one another along a plurality of bevelled edges, said bevelled edges oriented in a non-radial manner along said head portions, said head portions being swingable about said juncture and with their respective arm towards one another to form a complete head having an orifice embracing said stem, said stem and arms being drivable into said opening in said panel to locate said head against an outer side of said panel, and serration means between said head and said stem to maintain said fastener in said lockable engagement with said panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fastener set forth in claim 1, wherein said serration means are attached to said stem and extend through said orifice and engage said head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fastener set forth in claim 1, wherein said arms include a plurality of spaced-apart indentations for permitting bending of said arms in a predetermined manner when said stem is driven into said opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
232 words
A one-piece, plastic fastener for lockable engagement in an opening in a panel, said fastener comprising a stem having an inner end and an outer end, a pair of legs formed integrally with and extending from said inner end in parallelism with one another and in general axial alignment with said stem, each of said legs having an elongated arm integrally formed therewith at a juncture, said arm positioned at an acute angle relative to its leg, said arms each having a free end which terminates in an integrally formed head portion, said head portions being cooperatively engageable with one another along a plurality of bevelled edges, said bevelled edges oriented in a non-radial manner along said head portions, said head portions being swingable about said juncture and with their respective arm towards one another to form a complete head having an orifice embracing said stem, said stem and arms being drivable into said opening in said panel to locate said head against an outer side of said panel, said arms including a plurality of spaced-apart indentations for permitting bending of said arms in a predetermined manner when said stem is driven into said opening, the size of said indentations decreases as their distance from said head and along said arm increases, and serration means between said head and said stem to maintain said fastener in said lockable engagement with said panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
232 words
A one-piece, plastic fastener for lockable engagement in an opening in a panel, said fastener comprising a stem having an inner end and an outer end, a pair of legs formed integrally with and extending from said inner end in parallelism with one another and in general axial alignment with said stem, each of said legs having an elongated arm integrally formed therewith at a juncture, said arm positioned at an acute angle relative to its leg, said arms each having a free end which terminates in an integrally formed head portion, said head portions being cooperatively engageable with one another along a plurality of bevelled edges, said bevelled edges oriented in a non-radial manner along said head portions, said head portions being swingable about said juncture and with their respective arm towards one another to form a complete head having an orifice embracing said stem, said stem and arms being drivable into said opening in said panel to locate said head against an outer side of said panel, said arms including a plurality of spaced-apart indentations for permitting bending of said arms in a predetermined manner when said stem is driven into said opening, the size of said indentations decreases as their distance from said head and along said arm increases, and serration means between said head and said stem to maintain said fastener in said lockable engagement with said panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fastener set forth in claim 4, wherein said serration means are attached to said stem and extend through said orifice and engage said head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-21 | 1986-09-20 | 1987-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-21 | 1990-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-09-20 | 1995-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |