Spring Fastener with Highly Improved Removal to Insertion Ratio
AssigneeTermax Corporation
InventorsDaniel James Dickenson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Paul Lester Clements
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastener comprises two engagement springs on opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an elongated rib. The elongated ribs may have a substantially rectangular shape, or any suitable shape, and they may protrude away from the opposite side of the fastener. Additionally, the elongated ribs may have same or different slopes at each end of the ribs. According to one embodiment, the elongated rib increases the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio when the engagement springs do not have the elongated rib.
Claims25
A fastener comprising:
- a first side;
- a second side opposite the first side, the first side connected to the second side thereby forming a U-shaped structure;
- a bottom portion wherein the first side and the second side are connected;
- a first engagement spring connected to the first side in the vicinity of the bottom portion, the first engagement spring comprising a first elongated rib;
- and
- a second engagement spring connected to the second side in the vicinity of the bottom portion, the second engagement spring comprising a second elongated rib.
An assembly comprising:
- a panel;
- a fastener operatively coupled to the panel comprising:
- a first side;
- a second side opposite the first side, the first side connected to the second side thereby forming a U-shaped structure;
- a bottom portion wherein the first side and the second side are connected;
- a first engagement spring connected to the first side in the vicinity of the bottom portion, the first engagement spring comprising a first elongated rib;
- and
- a second engagement spring connected to the second side in the vicinity of the bottom portion, the second engagement spring comprising a second elongated rib.
A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle chassis;
- a fastener operatively coupled to the vehicle chassis comprising:
- a first side;
- a second side opposite the first side, the first side connected to the second side thereby forming a U-shaped structure;
- a bottom portion wherein the first side and the second side are connected;
- a first engagement spring connected to the first side in the vicinity of the bottom portion, the first engagement spring comprising a first elongated rib;
- and
- a second engagement spring connected to the second side in the vicinity of the bottom portion, the second engagement spring comprising a second elongated rib.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.