# US 11,078,943 B2 · Fastener assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,078,943 B2 - Document ID: US11078943B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/695,919 - Filed: 2019-11-26 - Published: 2021-05-27 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-26 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Hector Alberto Martinez Vite - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078943B2 ## CPC - F16B 21/02: Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation (with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08) - F16B 13/0808: {by a toggle-mechanism} - H01M 50/394: {Gas-pervious parts or elements} - H01M 2220/20: Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A fastener assembly according to the present disclosure includes a fastener head, a shank depending from the fastener head, and at least one wing member pivotably coupled to the shank. The shank extends along a central axis, and the wing member is pivotable about a pivot axis extending parallel to the central axis. The wing member is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wing member has a fork configured to receive a workpiece therein when in the deployed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fastener assembly comprising: a fastener head; a shank depending from the fastener head, the shank extending along a central axis; and at least one wing member pivotably coupled to the shank, the wing member being pivotable about a pivot axis extending parallel to the central axis, the wing member being pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the wing member having a fork configured to receive a workpiece therein when in the deployed position, wherein the at least one wing member comprises at least one inner leg, a first outer leg, and a second outer leg, the at least one inner leg being disposed proximate the shank, a respective inner leg of the at least one inner leg being pivotably coupled to the shank, the fork being defined by a junction between the first outer leg and the second outer leg. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one wing member comprises at least two wing members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shank has an outer periphery provided with at least one pocket, the pocket having a planar surface, the wing member being coupled to the planar surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wing member is provided with a living hinge proximate the shank, wherein the wing member is pivotably coupled to the shank via the living hinge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener head and the shank have a bore extending therethrough, the bore extending along the central axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a flange disposed between the fastener head and the shank, the flange extending radially outboard of the shank. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The assembly of claim 6, further comprising a seal member disposed at a lower surface of the flange. ### Claim 8 A fastener assembly comprising: a fastener head; a shank depending from the fastener head, the shank extending along a central axis; and at least one wing member pivotably coupled to the shank, the wing member being pivotable about a pivot axis extending parallel to the central axis, the wing member being pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the wing member having a fork configured to receive a workpiece therein when in the deployed position; wherein the wing member is provided with a living hinge proximate the shank, wherein the wing member is pivotably coupled to the shank via the living hinge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one wing member comprises at least two wing members. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein the shank has an outer periphery provided with at least one pocket, the pocket having a planar surface, the wing member being coupled to the planar surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein the fastener head and the shank have a bore extending therethrough, the bore extending along the central axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a flange disposed between the fastener head and the shank, the flange extending radially outboard of the shank. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a seal member disposed at a lower surface of the flange. ### Claim 14 A fastener assembly comprising: a fastener head; a shank depending from the fastener head, the shank extending along a central axis; at least one wing member pivotably coupled to the shank, the wing member being pivotable about a pivot axis extending parallel to the central axis, the wing member being pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the wing member having a fork configured to receive a workpiece therein when in the deployed position; a flange disposed between the fastener head and the shank, the flange extending radially outboard of the shank; and a seal member disposed at a lower surface of the flange. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one wing member comprises at least two wing members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein the shank has an outer periphery provided with at least one pocket, the pocket having a planar surface, the wing member being coupled to the planar surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein the fastener head and the shank have a bore extending therethrough, the bore extending along the central axis.