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US 2003/0156917 A1Published application
Self-locking rivet fastener
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsChad E. Heflin, George Siragusa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rivet-type fastener is disclosed, suitable for panel fasteners and other applications in which retention in a hole is required. The act of inserting the fastener expands fastener arms to secure the fastener in the hole, and positions locking protrusions of a post within notches of the arms, to lock the fastener within the hole. In some embodiments the fastener can be released, for removal and re-use.
Claims20
A fastener for a work piece, comprising:
- a base;
- first and second arms attached to said base and extending outwardly therefrom, said first and second arms each including proximal segments facing each other in spaced relation and distal segments conjoined at ends thereof,
- a post extending inwardly between said arms, from said conjoined distal segments toward said base;
- said arms and said post having cooperating structures for spreading said arms and locking said arms in a spread position, as relative axial movement occurs between said arms and said post.
1 more element
A fastener comprising:
- a base having a surface defining a channel;
- opposed arms joined to said base in spaced relation on opposite sides of said channel, said arms including distal segments;
- a post joined to said distal segments of said arms and extending between said arms towards said base, said post including a transverse bar between said arms and aligned with said channel;
- lateral protrusions extending outwardly from said post, said protrusions having tips;
- and
- notches in said arms for engaging said tips of said lateral protrusions in a locked position.
3 more elements
A rivet fastener to be secured in a hole of a work piece, the hole having a hole width, said fastener comprising:
- a base having a surface defining a channel, said base being larger than the hole in the work piece;
- first and second opposed arms joined to said surface of said base in spaced relation to each other, and on opposite sides of said channel, said arms including relatively thicker proximal segments and relatively thinner distal segments, said arms having an unlocked configuration in which said arms can be inserted through the hole of the work piece;
- a post joined to said distal segments and extending between said arms towards said base, said post including a transverse bar between said arms and aligned with said channel, said bar having a length greater than the width of the hole;
- lateral protrusions extending outwardly from said post, said protrusions having wedge surfaces ending at protrusion tips;
- and
- notches in said proximal segments for engaging said tips of said lateral protrusions, and ramp surface on said arms directing said tips from the unlocked position to a locked position in which said tips are engaged by said notches, and said arms are deflected outwardly.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.