Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
Apparatus for fixing a panel upon a support material, comprising a plurality of pin assemblies, wherein each pin assembly individually and separately comprises: a pin, having a shank portion and a head portion, to be inserted through said panel and into said support material for fixing said panel upon said support material; a washer disposed about said shank portion of said pin at a position beneath said head portion of said pin so as to be interposed between said head portion of said pin and said panel such that an upper surface portion of said washer is engaged with said head portion of said pin and an undersurface portion of said washer is engaged with said panel when said pin is inserted through said panel and into said support material in order to fix said panel upon said support material; and cylindrical guide tube means disposed about said shank portion of said pin, at a position beneath said washer, for forming a through-bore within said panel within which said cylindrical guide tube will be fixedly disposed for guiding said shank portion of said pin through said panel and into said support material when said pin is inserted through said panel and into said support material, and for engaging said support material at one end thereof and said undersurface portion of said washer at another end thereof so as to limit the penetration depth of said washer and said pin within said panel, as a result of said engagement between said cylindrical guide tube means and said support material, and between said cylindrical guide tube means and said washer, and between said washer and said head portion of said pin, in order to prevent damage to said panel as said pin is inserted through said panel and into said support material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
Apparatus for fixing a panel upon a support material, comprising a plurality of pin assemblies, wherein each pin assembly individually and separately comprises: a pin, having a shank portion and a head portion, to be inserted through said panel and into said support material for fixing said panel upon said support material; a washer disposed about said shank portion of said pin at a position beneath said head portion of said pin so as to be interposed between said head portion of said pin and said panel such that an upper surface portion of said washer is engaged with said head portion of said pin and an undersurface portion of said washer is engaged with said panel when said pin is inserted through said panel and into said support material in order to fix said panel upon said support material; and cylindrical guide tube means disposed about said shank portion of said pin, at a position beneath said washer, for forming a through-bore within said panel within which said cylindrical guide tube will be fixedly disposed for guiding said shank portion of said pin through said panel and into said support material when said pin is inserted through said panel and into said support material, and for engaging said support material at one end thereof and said undersurface portion of said washer at another end thereof so as to limit the penetration depth of said washer and said pin within said panel, as a result of said engagement between said cylindrical guide tube means and said support material, and between said cylindrical guide tube means and said washer, and between said washer and said head portion of said pin, in order to prevent damage to said panel as said pin is inserted through said panel and into said support material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cylindrical guide tube means comprises an axially split guide tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cylindrical guide tube means has radially inwardly projecting boss means provided within an upper end portion of said cylindrical guide tube means for frictionally retaining said shank portion of said pin within said upper end portion of said cylindrical guide tube means prior to insertion of said pin through said panel and into said support material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cylindrical guide tube means is radially deformed within an upper end portion of said cylindrical guide tube means for frictionally engaging said shank portion of said pin within said upper end portion of said cylindrical guide tube means prior to insertion of said pin through said panel and into said support material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said washer and said cylindrical guide tube means are integrally fixed together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said washer and said cylindrical guide tube means comprise a single-piece component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said shank portion of said pin has a lowermost end portion, which has a diametrical extent smaller than that of a remaining portion of said shank portion, for insertion within said support material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said remaining portion of said shank portion of said pin has an axial length which is substantially the same as the thickness of said panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said remaining portion of said shank portion of said pin has an axial length which is substantially the same as the axial length of said cylindrical tube guide means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the axial length of said cylindrical tube guide means is substantially the same as the thickness of said panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A pin assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the axial length of said cylindrical tube guide means is slightly less than the thickness of said panel such that when said pin is inserted through said panel and into said support material, said washer is recessed within an outer surface portion of said panel.