US 10,569,457 B2 · Two-part fastener

Abstract

A system for manufacturing a two-part fastener may include a fastener-molding housing and an actuating assembly. The fastener-molding housing may include a fastener mold having a first mold section connected to a second mold section through a flash connection mold section. The fastener mold is configured to receive fastener-forming material to form a pre-engaged fastener having a first fastener portion within the first mold section and a second fastener portion within the second mold section. The first fastener portion is temporarily secured to the second fastener portion through a flash connection portion formed within the flash connection mold section. The an actuating assembly includes a stripper plate, a connecting member, and at least one ejection member. The connecting member is configured to securely retain the first fastener portion. The stripper plate is configured to be moved relative to the connecting member in order to drive one of the first or second fastener portions into the other of the first or second fastener portions to form a fully-formed fastener. The ejection member is configured to eject the fully-formed fastener from the actuating assembly.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A fastener comprising:

a pin including a head and a collar connected to a nose by a shaft;
a grommet including an annular flange connected to a pin-retaining base that is configured to receive and retain the nose of the pin;
and
at least one flash connection that temporarily connects the pin to the grommet, wherein the at least one flash connection directly connects the nose of the pin to the annular flange of the grommet, wherein the pin is configured to engage and be secured to the grommet by the flash connection being broken, wherein one of the pin or the grommet is moved relative to the other of the pin or the grommet to break the at least one flash connection, wherein the pin and the grommet are pre-engaged when the pin and the grommet are temporarily connected by the at least one flash connection, wherein the pin is not operatively connected or engaged to the grommet when the pin and the grommet are temporarily connected by the at least one flash connection, wherein the pin is configured to be secured to a first panel retained between the head and the collar, and wherein the grommet is configured to be secured to a second panel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Two-part fastener

Life of this patent

Two-part fastener

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19