# US 2013/0276293 A1 · Panel assembly retainer and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0276293 A1 - Document ID: US20130276293A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/449,849 - Filed: 2012-04-18 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-18 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Israel Solano Soriano - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130276293A1 ## CPC - B32B 27/12: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 27/306: {comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers} - F16B 5/02: by means of fastening members using screw-thread ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00) - F16B 5/0225: {allowing for adjustment parallel to the plane of the plates} - F16B 37/041: {Releasable devices (F16B37/044, F16B37/045 take precedence)} - F16B 41/002: {Measures against loss of bolts, nuts or pins (devices for fastening nuts to surfaces F16B37/04)} - B32B 2262/0253: Polyolefin fibres - B32B 2262/0276: Polyester fibres - B32B 2262/101: Glass fibres - B32B 2262/14: Mixture of at least two fibres made of different materials - B32B 2605/00: Vehicles - F16B 37/067: {the material of the nut being deformed by a threaded member generating axial movement of the threaded part of the nut, e.g. blind rivet type} - Y10T 29/49963: Threaded fastener - Y10T 403/46: Rod end to transverse side of member - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A panel assembly includes a retainer, a first panel, and a second panel. A weld stud extends from the first panel. The second panel is positioned adjacent to the first panel and defines a hole that circumscribes the weld stud. The retainer includes a base and a nut. The base includes an annular cap and a cylindrical guide feature. The nut has radial fins, one of which is beveled. The cylindrical guide feature is positioned within the hole and circumscribes the weld stud. One of the radial fins is positioned adjacent to an upper surface of the cap, while the radial fin having the beveled surface is received within a slot defined by the cap to secure the nut to the base and the stud. Tabs may be arranged on an inner bore of the nut. A method of using the retainer in a panel assembly is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A panel assembly comprising: a first panel; a weld stud that extends from the first panel; a second panel positioned adjacent to the first panel, wherein the second panel defines a hole that circumscribes the weld stud; and a retainer having: a base that includes an annular cap and a cylindrical guide feature, wherein the cylindrical guide feature is arranged orthogonally with respect to the annular cap; and a nut having a pair of radial fins: wherein: the annular cap defines a slot; the cylindrical guide feature is positioned within the hole of the second panel and circumscribes the weld stud; one of the radial fins is positioned adjacent to a surface of the annular cap; and the other radial fin is beveled, and is received within the slot of the annular cap to thereby secure the nut to the base and stud. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the second panel includes a subpanel and an insulator positioned adjacent to the subpanel, and wherein an underside of the base is affixed to the insulator such that the insulator is positioned between the subpanel and the base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the insulator is constructed of ethylene vinyl acetate and the subpanel is constructed of textile fibers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The panel assembly of claim 3, wherein the first panel and the second panel form a vehicle back panel assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut includes a plurality of radially-inwardly projecting locator tabs arranged on a center bore of the nut. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a damper that is positioned adjacent to the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the beveled radial fin has a surface that forms a calibrated angle of 10 to 20 degrees with respect to the horizontal when the nut is connected to the base, and wherein the calibrated angle is sufficient to guide the nut toward the weld stud when the beveled radial fin contacts the weld stud. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The panel assembly of claim 7, wherein the calibrated angle is about 15 degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot at least partially separates the annular cap into an upper and a lower tier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The panel assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper tier defines a pair of inwardly-extending radial tabs which engage the nut. ### Claim 11 A retainer for a panel assembly having a pair of panels that are joined via a weld stud, wherein one of the panels defines a hole, the retainer comprising: a base that includes: an annular cap that defines a slot; and a cylindrical guide feature having an outer diameter that is less than a diameter of the hole, and an inner diameter that is larger than a diameter of the weld stud; and a nut that includes a pair of radial fins, wherein one of the radial fins has a beveled surface; wherein: the radial fin having the beveled surface is received within a slot defined by the annular cap to thereby secure the nut to the base; and the other radial fin is positioned adjacent to a surface of the annular cap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The retainer of claim 11, wherein the nut includes a plurality of radially-inwardly projecting tabs arranged on a center bore of the nut. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The retainer of claim 11, further comprising: a damper that is positioned adjacent to a surface of the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The retainer of claim 11, wherein the beveled surface forms a calibrated angle of 10 to 20 degrees with respect to the horizontal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The retainer of claim 14, wherein the calibrated angle is about 15 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The retainer of claim 11, wherein: the slot at least partially separates the annular cap into an upper and a lower tier; and the upper tier defines a pair of inwardly-extending radial tabs which engage the nut. ### Claim 17 A method of using a retainer in a panel assembly, the method comprising: providing the retainer, wherein the provided retainer includes a base that defines an annular cap and a cylindrical guide feature, and a nut that includes a radial fin with a flat surface and a radial fin with a beveled surface; positioning the cylindrical guide feature within a hole defined by a panel of the panel assembly; inserting the radial fin having the flat surface adjacent to a surface of the annular cap; and inserting the radial fin having the beveled undersurface into a slot defined by the cap to thereby secure the nut to the base. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: gluing an underside of the annular cap to a surface of the panel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: providing another panel having an attached weld stud; and inserting the weld stud through the hole, the cylindrical guide member, and the nut. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: engaging the weld stud using a plurality of tabs each disposed on an inner bore of the nut.