Fastener retainer
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsLarry A. Walton, Baden Michael Powell, Gurdeep Singh, Mohammad A. Khorrami
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fastener retainer is provided capable of retaining a fastener to a part prior to and during assembly. A first portion engages a fastener flange while leaving a fastener head exposed for assembly tool access. A second portion has flanges that engage the edges of the part.
Claims27
A device for retaining a fastener in an aperture of a part, the fastener having a flange, the device comprising:
- a first portion having a hole extending therethrough, wherein a diameter of the hole is smaller than a diameter of the flange of the fastener;
- a second portion having a first member configured to couple the device to the part;
- and
- a first arm connected at one end to the first portion and connected at an opposite end to the second portion, and
- wherein the first portion retains the flange of the fastener to the part.
A fastener retainer assembly located on a part, the fastener retainer assembly comprising:
- a fastener having a first end portion at least partially located within the part, a second end portion located at least partially outside the part, and a radial flange located between the first end portion and the second end portion and in contact with the part, wherein the flange has a dimension that is greater than a dimension of the head and a dimension of the shank;
- a fastener retainer comprising:
- a first portion having a hole extending therethrough, wherein the hole has a dimension that is smaller than the dimension of the flange;
- a second portion having a first member configured to couple the fastener retainer to the part;
- and
- a first arm connected at one end to the first portion and connected at an opposite end to the second portion, the first arm angled with respect to both the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion is located above the flange of the fastener and the hole is aligned with the head, and
- wherein the flange contacts the first portion of the fastener retainer when the first end portion is still at least partially located within the part thereby preventing the fastener from being completely removed from the part.
A fastener retainer assembly located on a part, the fastener retainer assembly comprising:
- a fastener having a first end portion at least partially located within the part, a second end portion located at least partially outside the part, and a radial flange located between the first end portion and the second end portion and in contact with the part, wherein the flange has a dimension that is greater than a dimension of the head and a dimension of the shank;
- a fastener retainer comprising:
- a first portion having a hole extending therethrough, wherein the hole has a dimension that is smaller than the dimension of the flange;
- a second portion having a first member configured to couple the fastener retainer to the part;
- a first arm connected at one end to the first portion and connected at an opposite end to the second portion, the first arm angled with respect to both the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion is located above the flange of the fastener and the hole is aligned with the head;
- a second arm connected at one end thereof to the first portion, and
- wherein the flange contacts the first portion of the fastener retainer when the first end portion is still at least partially located within the part thereby preventing the fastener from being completely removed from the part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.