Fastener for pre-assembling work pieces

#The present invention relates to a fastener that is constructed and arranged for pre-assembly with a first object, typically a panel or the like, that will later be secured to a second object, often a structural member of the interior of an aircraft or an automobile.

#A typical fastener used in the aircraft and automobile industries for fastening panels such as a headliner panel into the interior of an aircraft or an automobile is illustrated in FIG. 1 at 10. The prior art fastener 10 is comprised of a large, mushroom-shaped head 12 and has a shank 14 extending from the underside thereof. A shank fastener 16 is formed into the shank 14 and provides the means whereby fastener 10 may secure a first object 20 to a second object 22. The first object, in this instance a headliner panel for an aircraft or automobile, has a bore 24 formed therethrough that is sized to permit the shank 14 of the fastener 10 to pass therethrough. The shank 14 is subsequently inserted into a bore 26 formed through the second object 22, in this case the sheet metal structural member of the interior of an aircraft or automobile. The shank fastener 16 ensures that the fastener 10 cannot be removed from the bores 24 and 26. In this manner, a headliner panel for an aircraft or automobile may be rapidly and easily emplaced.

#It is often the practice that various sub-assemblies, such as the headliner panel described above, are manufactured at a location remote from that at which the aircraft or automobile is itself assembled. In this case the sub-assembly is brought to the location where the aircraft or automobile is being assembled and is emplaced at the appropriate time. To facilitate this process wherein parts are manufactured remote from a main assembly location, it is desirable to pre-assemble certain structures such as the headliner panel described above. However, fasteners 10 of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 are not susceptible of pre-assembly with a panel structure as illustrated. Specifically, the shank fastener 16 is not typically formed in a fashion that would retain the fastener 10 in the bore 24 formed in the panel 20. Consequently, the fasteners 10 would most likely work their way out of a bore 24 on their own prior to assembly. In order to permit the pre-assembly of structures such as a headliner panel, small retaining structures have been added to fasteners 10 in order to retain the fasteners in a bore 24 formed through a headliner panel 20 or the like. These retaining structures typically comprise such things as the whiskers 30 illustrated in FIG. 2a or the flexible wings 32 illustrated in FIG. 2b.

#FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art fastener;

#FIG. 2a is a prior art fastener having a pair of whiskers extending from the tip thereof;

#FIG. 2b is a prior art fastener having a pair of flexible wings extending therefrom;

#Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention, which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a fastener 50 according the present invention. Fastener 50 comprises a large, mushroom-shaped head 52 from which extends a shank 54. A shank fastener 56 functions to lock the fastener 50 into its final position as described more particularly hereinbelow. The fastener 50 also comprises one or more pre-assembly legs 58. These pre-assembly legs 58 are attached at their ends 60 to the shank 54 of the fastener 50. The lower end 62 of the pre-assembly leg 60 is attached to a lower head 64. This lower head 64 is generally of an annular shape and is constructed and arranged to be received over the shank 54, including the shank fastener 56. In FIG. 3, the lower head 64 is illustrated in its first position. While in this position, the fastener 50 may be inserted into a bore 72 formed through a first object 70.

#Throughout this specification, the terms “first object” and “second object” are used to refer generically to distinct objects that may be connected to one another through the use of a fastener 50 of the present invention. It is to be understood that while the preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted for use in the aircraft and automobile industries, specifically with regard to the installation of headliner panels in such vehicles, a fastener 50 may be readily adapted for use in diverse applications other than the aircraft or automobile industries. The present invention is therefore not to be limited to only those applications disclosed in this specification.