US4878791A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expanding plastic fastener
Assignee: Nifco Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-19
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A coupler for coupling together plates includes a male member having a head and a pin-like portion having male threads and depending from the lower surface of the head and a female member having a flange facing the head of the male member, a leg portion depending from the lower end of the flange and a bore extending from the upper surface of the flange into the leg portion and capable of receiving the pin-like portion of the male member. An upper portion of the inner periphery of the bore is provided with a helical ridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazumasa Kurihara
- 👤 Seiji Takahashi
- 👤 Yoshio Kaneko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B29/00; F16B19/00; F16B19/04; F16B19/08; F16B19/10; F16B19/1027; F16B19/1036; F16B19/1081; F16B33/00; F16B33/006; F16B5/00; F16B5/06; F16B5/0607; F16B5/0621; F16B5/0642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A plastic fastener, comprising a male member having a head and a pin-like portion having male threads, said pin-like portion depending from the lower surface of said head, and a female member having a flange facing said head of said male member, a leg portion depending from the lower end of said flange and a bore extending from the upper surface of said flange into said leg portion and capable of receiving said pin-like portion of said male member, said pin-like portion having a diametrically penetrating axial slot which extends in its intermediate portion, said leg portion of said female member having a plurality of axial grooves radially spaced apart around said bore and a plurality of spreadable portions each defined between adjacent ones of said axial grooves and having an upper end connected to the lower surface of said flange and a lower end connected to the lower ends of the other spreadable portions by hinge portions, said spreadable portions being adapted to be spread with the insertion of said pin-like portion into said bore, an upper portion of the inner periphery of said bore being formed with a helical ridge which makes a complete revolution along the inner periphery of said bore and is received in a thread groove defined between the male threads of said pin-like portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A plastic fastener, comprising a male member having a head and a pin-like portion having male threads, said pin-like portion depending from the lower surface of said head, and a female member having a flange facing said head of said male member, a leg portion depending from the lower end of said flange and a bore extending from the upper surface of said flange into said leg portion and capable of receiving said pin-like portion of said male member, said pin-like portion having a diametrically penetrating axial slot which extends in its intermediate portion, said leg portion of said female member having a plurality of axial grooves radially spaced apart around said bore and a plurality of spreadable portions each defined between adjacent ones of said axial grooves and having an upper end connected to the lower surface of said flange and a lower end connected to the lower ends of the other spreadable portions by hinge portions, said spreadable portions being adapted to be spread with the insertion of said pin-like portion into said bore, an upper portion of the inner periphery of said bore being formed with a helical ridge which makes a complete revolution along the inner periphery of said bore and is received in a thread groove defined between the male threads of said pin-like portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
266 words
A plastic fastener, comprising a male member having a head and a pin-like portion having male threads, said pin-like portion depending from the lower surface of said head, and a female member having a flange facing said head of said male member, a leg portion depending from the lower end of said flange and a bore extending from the upper surface of said flange into said leg portion and capable of receiving said pin-like portion of said male portion, said pin-like portion having a diametrically penetrating axial slot which extends in its intermediate portion, said leg portion of said female member having a plurality of axial grooves radially spaced apart around said bore and a plurality of spreadable portions each defined between adjacent ones of said axial grooves and having an upper end connected to the lower surface of said flange and a lower end connected to the lower ends of the other spreadable portions by hinge portions, said spreadable portions being adapted to be spread with the insertion of said pin-like portion into said bore, an upper portion of the inner periphery of said bore being formed with a helical ridge which makes a complete revolution along the inner periphery of said bore and is received in a thread groove defined between the male threads of said pin-like portion, whereby, when said pin-like portion is inserted into said bore, an outer diameter of said pin-like portion slightly contracts, thereby minimizing deformation of the helical ridge by the threads of said pin-like portion and reducing the force necessary to insert said pin-like portion into said bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
266 words
A plastic fastener, comprising a male member having a head and a pin-like portion having male threads, said pin-like portion depending from the lower surface of said head, and a female member having a flange facing said head of said male member, a leg portion depending from the lower end of said flange and a bore extending from the upper surface of said flange into said leg portion and capable of receiving said pin-like portion of said male portion, said pin-like portion having a diametrically penetrating axial slot which extends in its intermediate portion, said leg portion of said female member having a plurality of axial grooves radially spaced apart around said bore and a plurality of spreadable portions each defined between adjacent ones of said axial grooves and having an upper end connected to the lower surface of said flange and a lower end connected to the lower ends of the other spreadable portions by hinge portions, said spreadable portions being adapted to be spread with the insertion of said pin-like portion into said bore, an upper portion of the inner periphery of said bore being formed with a helical ridge which makes a complete revolution along the inner periphery of said bore and is received in a thread groove defined between the male threads of said pin-like portion, whereby, when said pin-like portion is inserted into said bore, an outer diameter of said pin-like portion slightly contracts, thereby minimizing deformation of the helical ridge by the threads of said pin-like portion and reducing the force necessary to insert said pin-like portion into said bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The coupler according to claim 1, wherein said flange of said female member is provided with a plurality of notches radially spaced apart around said bore, open at the top surface and communicating with said axial grooves of said leg portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupler according to claim 1, wherein said spreadable portions are each provided with a groove having a substantially v-shaped sectional profile.
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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) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |