Fastener
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorJeremy Berres
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a fastener for coupling a first component to a second component. The fastener comprising a body portion, a bridge, and a shank portion. The body portion comprising a plurality of ribs arranged to form a U-bend. Each of the plurality of ribs defines a profile designed to regulate at least an insertion force of the fastener. The profile can be curved. The bridge connecting the plurality of ribs to each other at the U-bend. The shank portion extends from the body portion and includes a plurality of arms. Each arm is cantilevered at a free end of a rib from among the plurality of ribs and extends therefrom in a direction away from the body portion to be hingeable about the arm. The rib profile can be curved between the U-bend and shank portion.
Claims19
A fastener comprising:
- a body portion, the body portion comprising a plurality of ribs arranged to form a U-bend,
- wherein each of the plurality of ribs defines a curved rib profile designed to regulate at least one of an insertion force or a separation force of the fastener;
- a bridge connecting the plurality of ribs to each other at the U-bend;
- and
- a shank portion extending from the body portion, the shank portion comprising a plurality of arms,
- wherein each of the plurality of arms is cantilevered at a free end of a rib from among the plurality of ribs and extends therefrom in a direction away from the body portion to be hingeable about the arm, and
- wherein the curved rib profile is curved starting at the U-bend and ending at the shank portion.
A fastener for joining a first component and a second component, the fastener, comprising:
- a body portion, the body portion comprising a plurality of ribs arranged to form a U-bend;
- a bridge connecting the plurality of ribs to each other at the U-bend;
- a shank portion extending from the body portion, the shank portion comprising a plurality of arms,
- wherein each of the plurality of ribs defines a rib profile that is curved starting at the U-bend and ending at the shank portion that is configured to regulate at least one of an insertion force or a separation force of the fastener,
- wherein each of the plurality of arms is cantilevered at a free end of a rib from among the plurality of ribs and extends therefrom in a direction away from the body portion to be hingeable about the arm;
- and
- a plurality of mounting brackets to mount a clip tower of the second component to the fastener.
A fastening system comprising:
- a first component having an opening;
- a second component having a clip tower;
- and
- a fastener configured for insertion into the opening, wherein the fastener includes a body portion, a bridge, and a shank portion extending from the body portion,
- wherein the body portion includes a plurality of ribs arranged to form a U-bend to receive the clip tower, each of the plurality of ribs defining a curved rib profile starting at the U-bend and ending at the shank portion and configured to regulate at least one of an insertion force or a separation force of the fastener,
- wherein the bridge is configured to connect the plurality of ribs to each other at the U-bend,
- wherein the shank portion comprising a plurality of arms, and
- wherein each of the plurality of arms is cantilevered at a free end of a rib from among the plurality of ribs and extends therefrom in a direction away from the body portion to be hingeable about the arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.