Multiple engagement joint tethered fastener
AssigneeNewfrey LLC
InventorsRosalind Nessel, Steven Benedetti, Jeff Slobodecki, Joshua Giddings, Charles Fischer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastener first member connects to a second member by a flexible tether. A third member having multiple deflectable wings slides onto the second member. A first member male pin extends through a third member aperture to engage second member biasing elements, joining the first, second and third members. The first member also includes a hooked end.
Claims39
A releasable fastener, comprising:
- a first member having first and second substantially planar portions, the first planar portion having a male pin and the second planar portion having a hooked end;
- a second member having a receptacle and at least one biasing element operable to releasably engage the male pin;
- and
- a third member releasably engageable with the second member, the third member having a clearance aperture alignable with the receptacle of the second member;
- wherein the male pin is displaceable through the clearance aperture and into the receptacle to releasably join the first, second and third members.
A releasable fastener, comprising:
- a first member having first and second portions, the first portion having an elongated member and the second portion having a hook-shaped end;
- a second member having a receiving aperture and at least one resilient element operable to releasably engage the male pin;
- a flexible strap integrally connecting the second member to the first member;
- and
- a third member releasably engageable with the second member, the third member having a clearance aperture alignable with the receiving aperture of the second member and a plurality of deflectable wings including a first, a second and a third deflectable wing, the first deflectable wing opposing both the second and the third deflectable wings;
- wherein the elongated member is displaceable through the clearance aperture and into the receiving aperture to releasably join the first, second and third members.
A fastener system, comprising:
- a fastener, including:
- a substantially U-shaped first member having first and second planar portions, the first planar portion having a male pin and the second planar portion having a hooked end;
- a second member having a deflectable tab;
- and
- a third member defining a channel and an extending portion, the channel slidably engageable with the second member via the deflectable tab;
- a vehicle component engageable with the U-shaped member and releasably retainable by the hooked end;
- a vehicle panel having an aperture operable to receive the extending portion of the third member;
- and
- a plurality of connections releasable in a sequential order.
A method for fastening component parts of an automobile assembly using a multiple part fastener, the multiple part fastener including a first part having a male pin and a hooked end, a second part connected to the first part by a flexible element, the second part having a receiving aperture, and a third part having a plurality of deflectable wings, the method comprising:
- inserting the male pin of the first part into the receiving aperture of the second part to releasably engage the first and second parts operably creating a first releasable joint;
- releasably engaging the third part to the second part operably creating a second releasable joint;
- and
- connecting the deflectable wings of the third part with a vehicle body panel to operably create a third releasable joint;
- wherein each of the first, second and third releasable joints are releasable in a sequential order defining the first releasable joint, the second releasable joint, and the third releasable joint.
A method for manufacturing a fastener assembly, the fastener assembly including a first part having a male extending pin and a hooked end;
- the first part integrally connectable to a second part using a tether element, the second part having a receiving aperture;
- and a third part having a plurality of deflectable members, the method comprising:
- molding a subassembly including the first part, the second part and the tether element;
- configuring the receiving aperture as a deflectable joint operable to receive and releasably engage the male extending pin of the first part;
- integrally molding a deflectable tab and a pair of posts of the second part operable to releasably engage the third part between the deflectable tab and the posts;
- forming a channel within the third part operable to releasably receive the second part;
- and
- inserting the second part with the deflectable tab into the channel to releasably engage the second part and the third part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.