US4402640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clinch nut for plastic panels
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1980-10-17
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2000-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A sheet metal clinch nut configured to be attached to a plastic panel. A portion of the plastic panel is extruded into a toothed aperture without puncturing the plastic to axially and rotationally fix the clinch nut to the panel. A plurality of embodiments are disclosed as is the method of assembling these clinch nuts to the plastic panel. Also a method of feeding an interconnected strip of clinch nuts and breaking off the lead nut at the staking station is described.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis C. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B37/00; F16B37/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A sheet metal clinch nut for use with a plastic panel and a threaded fastener said clinch nut comprising a first generally planar arm member positionable adjacent the plastic panel; a first aperture in said generally planar arm member for receiving an extruded, unpunctured portion of said plastic panel; means for engaging the extruded plastic portion to prevent rotational and axial displacement of the clinch nut relative to said plastic panel; a substantially convex section displaced outwardly from the generally planar arm member to form an extrusion-receiving recess, said section adapted to direct the flow of extruded plastic of said panel into engagement with said means, said section having a second aperture adapted to receive and threadingly engage the shank of the threaded fastener after a leading end of said fastener has punctured the plastic extrusion and passed into said second aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A sheet metal clinch nut for use with a plastic panel and a threaded fastener said clinch nut comprising a first generally planar arm member positionable adjacent the plastic panel; a first aperture in said generally planar arm member for receiving an extruded, unpunctured portion of said plastic panel; means for engaging the extruded plastic portion to prevent rotational and axial displacement of the clinch nut relative to said plastic panel; a substantially convex section displaced outwardly from the generally planar arm member to form an extrusion-receiving recess, said section adapted to direct the flow of extruded plastic of said panel into engagement with said means, said section having a second aperture adapted to receive and threadingly engage the shank of the threaded fastener after a leading end of said fastener has punctured the plastic extrusion and passed into said second aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The clinch nut of claim 1 wherein said second aperture is formed in a second generally planar arm member extending generally parallel to, and which is interconnected with, said first generally planar arm member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The clinch nut of claim 2 wherein said first and second generally planar arms are spacially separated and said clinch nut includes means to maintain that spacial separation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The clinch nut of claim 1 wherein the first aperture is formed between two co-planar, non-intersecting portions which comprise the first arm member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The clinch nut of claim 1 wherein the means for engaging the extruded plastic portion comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting teeth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The clinch nut of claim 5 wherein the second aperture is formed by displacing a portion of the first generally planar arm outwardly in a helical configuration and said teeth are formed by projections which remain generally in the plane of said first generally planar arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The clinch nut of claim 1 wherein said second aperture is formed between two non-intersecting arms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2775917A
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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) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |