Biased blind side temporary fasteners, systems and methods

A fastener removably coupling two work pieces, the fastener comprising:

• a collet body including an inner surface and having a distal portion including a plurality of flexible fingers each having a gripping portion extending radially from an outer surface;
• a case having an inner surface at least partially surrounding the collet body, a work piece contacting portion, and a distal end;
• a rod at least partially surrounded by the inner surface of the collet body and the case and having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the rod interacts with the plurality of flexible fingers to radially expand the plurality of flexible fingers when the fastener is in a clamped state;
• a plunger having a distal portion including a plurality of plunger fingers, wherein each of the plurality of plunger fingers includes a distal end and wherein the distal portion includes a plurality of slots and wherein depressing the plunger causes the distal ends of the plurality of plunger fingers to axially interact with a proximal end of the collet body to cause axial translation of the collet body with regard to the rod extending through a proximal opening of the collet body to place the fastener in an activated state in which the plurality of flexible fingers in the collet body radially converge and the distal end of the rod is retracted within the collet body and axially spaced away from the plurality of flexible fingers in the collet body and wherein releasing the plunger places the fastener in the clamped state in which the plurality of flexible fingers in the collet body are outwardly displaced by an outer surface of the rod axially extending from the collet body;
• a web element positioned at the proximal end of the rod and including a plurality of arms extending in a plurality of radial directions and a plurality of openings positioned between the plurality of arms, wherein the plurality of openings permit the plurality of plunger fingers to axially translate therethrough when the plunger is depressed and released;
• and
• a spring positioned within the case, including a proximal end bounded by the proximal end of the collet body and a distal end bounded by the distal end of the case, and exerting a restorative force on the proximal end of the collet body and the plunger when the plunger is depressed to place the fastener in the activated state.

A temporary fastener, comprising:

• a case including an inner surface, a work piece contacting portion, and a distal end;
• a collet body at least partially surrounded by the inner surface of the case, the collet body including an inner surface and a plurality of flexible fingers having gripping portions;
• a rod at least partially surrounded by the inner surface of the collet body and the case and including a distal end interacting with the plurality of flexible fingers to radially expand the plurality of flexible fingers when the fastener is in a clamped state wherein the plurality of flexible fingers are outwardly displaced;
• a plunger having a distal portion including a plurality of plunger fingers, wherein each of the plurality of plunger fingers has a partially annular shape, a distal end, and radially extends from a head at a proximal end, and wherein depressing the plunger causes the distal ends of the plurality plunger fingers to axially interact with a proximal end of the collet body to cause axial translation of the collet body with regard to the rod extending through a proximal opening of the collet body to place the fastener in an activated state in which the plurality of flexible fingers radially converge and the distal end of the rod is retracted within the collet body and axially spaced away from the plurality of flexible fingers in the collet body and wherein releasing the plunger places the temporary fastener in the clamped state in which the plurality of flexible fingers in the collet body are outwardly displaced by an outer surface of the rod axially extending from the collet body;
• a web element positioned at a proximal end of the rod and including a plurality of openings positioned between a plurality of radially aligned arms permitting the plurality of plunger fingers to axially translate therethrough when the plunger is depressed and released;
• and
• a spring positioned within the case, including a proximal end bounded by the proximal end of the collet body and a distal end bounded by the distal end of the case, partially surrounding at least a portion of the collet body and the rod, and exerting a restorative force on the proximal end of the collet body and the plunger when the plunger is depressed.