Fastener having a flexible base
AssigneeYKK Corporation of America
InventorsChuck G. LeCompte, Chad A. Clark, Rodney H. Helwig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fasteners comprising male and female assemblies. At least one of the male or female assembly may comprise a flexible base that flexes to conform to a non-planar mounting surface. The flexible base is bonded to the stud and/or the socket using techniques that provide a high degree of strength to withstand repeated engagement and disengagement of the fastener. Moreover, in certain embodiments the bonding techniques eliminate the need for mechanical means (for example, threads) to secure the stud to the flexible base. Mechanical tests show that the male assembly according to certain embodiments has 62% more strength than known male assemblies.
Claims22
A male assembly for a fastener, the male assembly comprising:
- a stud comprising at least one protrusion defined by a hollow sidewall and at least one pocket defined by an inner surface of the hollow sidewall;
- and
- a flexible base bonded to the stud, the flexible base comprising at least one extension that fits within and bonds to the at least one pocket of the stud,
- wherein the flexible base can flex to conform to a non-planar mounting surface, and
- wherein the hollow sidewall has an approximately U-shaped cross-section and defines the at least one pocket inside the U-shaped cross-section.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A female assembly for a fastener, the female assembly comprising:
- a socket comprising a base portion and a receiving portion extending from the base portion, wherein a corner is defined between the base portion and the receiving portion;
- and
- a flexible base bonded to the socket, wherein the flexible base contacts the base portion, the corner, and at least a portion of the receiving portion,
- wherein the flexible base is flexible to conform to a non-planar mounting surface, and
- wherein the receiving portion is larger than the base portion so as to extend from the base portion and is defined by a sidewall, and
- wherein the corner is formed at a position where the base portion and the receiving portion meet so that the flexible base contacts the base portion, the corner, and at least the portion of the receiving portion.
(canceled)
A fastener comprising:
- a male assembly comprising a stud and a mounting member bonded to the stud, the stud comprising at least one protrusion defined by a hollow sidewall and at least one pocket defined by an inner surface of the hollow sidewall, wherein a portion of the mounting member fits within and bonds to the at least one pocket of the stud;
- and
- a female assembly comprising a socket and a mounting member bonded to the socket, the socket comprising a receiving portion to receive the protrusion of the stud and thereby engage the female assembly to the male assembly,
- wherein the mounting member of the male assembly is flexible to conform to a non-planar mounting surface, and
- wherein the hollow sidewall has an approximately U-shaped cross-section and defines the at least one pocket inside the U-shaped cross-section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.