Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A fastener for attaching first and second members by means of substantially aligned first and second openings in the respective members to provide acoustic isolation between the members, each opening having a predefined depth and peripheral shape, said fastener comprising: a longitudinal shaft portion having first and second segments, said first and second segments having a cross-sectional shape substantially conforming to the a predefined peripheral shape of the first and second openings, respectively, said first and second segments having a longitudinal length substantially conforming to the depth of the first and second openings, respectively; a cap member integrally disposed longitudinally at a first end of said shaft portion adjacent and outside of said first segment, said cap member having an outer periphery larger than the first opening to inhibit passage of said cap member therethrough; a spacer member positioned longitudinally on said shaft portion between said first and second segments thereof having an outer periphery larger than the first and second openings to inhibit passage therethrough so as to secure the first member on said first segment of said shaft portion between said cap member and said spacer member and to space the first and second members a predetermined distance from each other corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of said spacer member; and an abutment member positioned longitudinally on a second end of said shaft portion adjacent and outside of said second segment having an outer periphery larger than the second opening to inhibit passage of said abutment member therethrough so as to secure the second member on said second segment of said shaft portion between said spacer member and said abutment member, said spacer member and said abutment member each having at least one slot therein to permit circumferential compression thereof so as to allow passage of said spacer member and said abutment member through the first and second openings, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A fastener for attaching first and second members by means of substantially aligned first and second openings in the respective members to provide acoustic isolation between the members, each opening having a predefined depth and peripheral shape, said fastener comprising: a longitudinal shaft portion having first and second segments, said first and second segments having a cross-sectional shape substantially conforming to the a predefined peripheral shape of the first and second openings, respectively, said first and second segments having a longitudinal length substantially conforming to the depth of the first and second openings, respectively; a cap member integrally disposed longitudinally at a first end of said shaft portion adjacent and outside of said first segment, said cap member having an outer periphery larger than the first opening to inhibit passage of said cap member therethrough; a spacer member positioned longitudinally on said shaft portion between said first and second segments thereof having an outer periphery larger than the first and second openings to inhibit passage therethrough so as to secure the first member on said first segment of said shaft portion between said cap member and said spacer member and to space the first and second members a predetermined distance from each other corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of said spacer member; and an abutment member positioned longitudinally on a second end of said shaft portion adjacent and outside of said second segment having an outer periphery larger than the second opening to inhibit passage of said abutment member therethrough so as to secure the second member on said second segment of said shaft portion between said spacer member and said abutment member, said spacer member and said abutment member each having at least one slot therein to permit circumferential compression thereof so as to allow passage of said spacer member and said abutment member through the first and second openings, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft portion is comprised of an elastomeric cylindrical shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fastener as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an axial deformation slot incorporated into said fastener comprising said at least one slot of said spacer member and of said abutment member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fastener as claimed in claim 3 wherein said deformation slot is further radially incorporated into said second segment of said shaft portion extending from said spacer member to said abutment member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 1 further comprising grip means integral with said second end of said shaft portion to facilitate engagement with an assembly tool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 5 wherein said grip means comprises an annular pull cone having relatively larger and smaller ends each sized to pass through the first and second openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft portion is comprised of an elastomeric rectangular shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said abutment member comprises an annular locking cone having relatively larger and smaller ends, said smaller end being positioned outside of said larger end and having an outer periphery sized smaller than the first and second openings to allow passage therethrough, said larger end being having an outer periphery sized larger than the second opening to inhibit passage therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 8 wherein said shaft portion is comprised of a one-piece elastomeric cylindrical shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an axial deformation slot incorporated into said shaft portion, said slot comprising said at least one slot of said spacer member and of said abutment member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An acoustic isolation fastener as claimed in claim 10 wherein said deformation slot is further radially incorporated into said second segment of said shaft portion, extending from said spacer member to said annular locking cone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A fastener as claimed in claim 1, the first member having a plurality of first openings, the second member having a corresponding plurality of second openings, wherein said fastener comprises a plurality of substantially identical fasteners corresponding to the number of said plurality of first openings, the first openings spaced a predetermined distance apart to support the second member to the first member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fastener as claimed in claim 12 wherein said plurality of substantially identical fasteners comprises four substantially identical fasteners.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second members are substantially planar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fastener as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first and second members are positioned in substantially parallel juxtaposition.