Pre-captured push retainer
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsChad M. Clark, Michael Fullerton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a push retainer. The push retainer includes an annular body, flexible tabs, and legs. The annular body has a topside surface and an underside surface. The annular body defines an opening. The flexible tabs are coupled to the annular body and canted upwardly away from the topside surface at a first angle. The flexible tabs are configured to engage a post of the second panel. The legs extend downwardly away from the underside surface at a second angle. The legs are configured to engage the first panel to form a part-in-assembly (PIA) component when inserted through the opening.
Claims20
A push retainer to couple a first panel to a second panel via a post associated with the second panel, the push retainer comprising:
- an annular body having a topside surface and an underside surface, wherein the annular body defines an opening;
- one or more flexible tabs coupled to the annular body and canted upwardly away from the topside surface at a first angle,
- wherein the one or more flexible tabs are configured to engage the post;
- and one or more legs extending downwardly away from the underside surface at a second angle,
- wherein at least one of the one or more legs are configured to engage the first panel via an engagement feature having a tab formed therein that extends outwardly from the at least one of the one or more legs.
A method of manufacturing a push retainer to couple a first panel to a second panel via a post associated with the second panel, the method comprising:
- stamping a sheet of metal to form a die cutout for the push retainer, wherein the die cutout resides in a plane and is shaped to define an annular body, one or more flexible tabs, and one or more legs;
- bending, in a first direction, each of the one or more flexible tabs to a first angle relative to the plane, wherein each of the one or more flexible tabs is configured to engage the post;
- bending, in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, each of the one or more legs to a second angle relative to the plane, wherein each of the one or more legs is configured to engage the first panel via an engagement feature having a tab;
- and
- stamping each of the one or more legs to form the tab and bending the tab away from the respective one or more legs.
A part-in-assembly (PIA) component configured to engage a post of a second panel, the PIA component comprising:
- a first panel having a panel opening;
- and
- a push retainer having an annular body, one or more flexible tabs, and one or more legs,
- wherein the annular body defines an opening and has a topside surface and an underside surface,
- wherein the one or more flexible tabs are coupled to the annular body and are canted upwardly away from the topside surface at a first angle,
- wherein the one or more legs extend downwardly away from the underside surface at a second angle, and
- wherein the one or more legs are configured to maintain a gap distance between the first panel and the second panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.