Patent US4493580A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4493580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retaining prong
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1984-06-04
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Granted: 1985-01-15
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Expires: 2004-06-04
Abstract
Abstract The disclosed invention is a plastic fastening device which can be easily manipulated into engagement with an apertured panel. The device includes a fastening means extending perpendicular from one side of a base. The fastening means has a generally hook-shaped configuration characterized by a trunk portion, a curved transition portion and a tip portion. The fastening device has a generally elongated stem which is used as a lever arm to move the fastening means from a skewed, partially engaged position with respect to the panel to a final fully engaged position.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Ruehl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/06; F16B21/08; F16B21/086; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A plastic fastener comprising: a base; a fastener means extending from one side of said base for attaching said fastener to a panel having an aperture, said fastener means having an axis perpendicular to said base, said fastener means including: a collar having one side secured to said base and symmetrically disposed relative to said axis, a trunk portion having one end extending from the other side of said collar, a V-shaped notch on said trunk for engaging one side of said aperture, first and second surfaces forming said V-shaped notch, said first surface being further from said base than said second surface, said first surface extending at an acute angle relative to said axis, a resilient curved transition portion formed at the other end of said trunk, and having an outer curved surface, a tip portion connected to said portion, said tip portion having a second notch for engaging an opposite side of said aperture, said second notch having a latching surface that extends at an acute angle to said axis, said tip portion separated from said trunk by a slot, said slot extending at an acute angle relative to said axis in the same general direction as said first surface extending from the opposite side of said base which provides a lever arm for moving said fastener from said skewed position to a final position wherein said tip is resiliently deflected and said notches engage opposite sides of said aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A plastic fastener comprising: a base; a fastener means extending from one side of said base for attaching said fastener to a panel having an aperture, said fastener means having an axis perpendicular to said base, said fastener means including: a collar having one side secured to said base and symmetrically disposed relative to said axis, a trunk portion having one end extending from the other side of said collar, a V-shaped notch on said trunk for engaging one side of said aperture, first and second surfaces forming said V-shaped notch, said first surface being further from said base than said second surface, said first surface extending at an acute angle relative to said axis, a resilient curved transition portion formed at the other end of said trunk, and having an outer curved surface, a tip portion connected to said portion, said tip portion having a second notch for engaging an opposite side of said aperture, said second notch having a latching surface that extends at an acute angle to said axis, said tip portion separated from said trunk by a slot, said slot extending at an acute angle relative to said axis in the same general direction as said first surface extending from the opposite side of said base which provides a lever arm for moving said fastener from said skewed position to a final position wherein said tip is resiliently deflected and said notches engage opposite sides of said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fastener of claim 1, wherein said first surfaces of said V-shaped and said latching surface form portions of a conical surface whereby said fastener is adapted to be retained in a rounded aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fastener of claim 1, wherein said resilient curved transition portion has a rounded curvature in two dimensions which are at ninety degree orientation with each other.
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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) | 1988-01-15 | 1988-07-16 | 1989-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-15 | 1992-07-16 | 1993-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-15 | 1996-07-16 | 1997-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |