Snap engaging fastener system for providing rotary motion

Claim 1

A two part fastener system, comprising: a male member; and a female member; said male member including a shank having an end and having serially along its axis toward said end a first generally cylindrical portion; a first generally frustoconical portion; a second generally cylindrical portion of less diametrical extent than that of said first cylindrical portion; a third generally cylindrical portion having a diameter which is substantially equal to that of said first cylindrical portion and defining a radial shoulder, extending substantially perpendicular with respect to said axis of said shank, along with said second cylindrical portion; and a second generally frustoconical portion; a groove also extending axially inwardly from said shank end so as to bifurcate at least said first and second frustoconical portions and said third and second cylindrical portions; said female member including a bore having a series of internal surfaces including a frustoconical surface for biasing said bifurcated shank end radially inwardly, and a surface defining a radial shoulder, extending substantially perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of said bore of said female member, for operative cooperation with said shank shoulder, the axial and radial dimensions of said second cylindrical shank portion and said first frustoconical shank portion of said male member relative to the dimensions of said frustoconical and shoulder surfaces of said female bore being such that when said male and female members axially assembled together, a locking snap action connection between said male and female members is achieved wherein said operative cooperating radial, axial, and frustoconical surfaces permit only rotary movement of said male and female members relative to each other while substantial axial movement of said male and female members with respect to each other is effectively prevented.