Quarter turn fastener
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorJames S. Tisol, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quarter turn fastener includes a deflectable head and part in assembly legs for securing the fastener in a subassembly with one component positioned between the deflectable head and the part in assembly legs. Cooperating lock arms on the fastener and lock ribs on the component secure the fastener against unintended rotation for loosening. Stop ribs on the component limit the distance the fastener can be rotated. Main body legs are provided for securing a second component with the subassembly. Cooperating structures of the fastener and the components limit the fastener to rotate only in the lock direction from the unlocked position and in the unlock direction from the locked position.
Claims20
A fastener for securing first and second components to one another in an assembly, said fastener comprising:
- a main head;
- a turn tab projecting outwardly from a surface of said main head, said turn tab configured for manual manipulation when turning the fastener;
- a pedestal projecting from a surface of said main head opposite from of said turn tab;
- a first deflectable leg projecting from said pedestal and having a ledge defining a first distance from said main head;
- and
- a first main body leg projecting from said pedestal and having an upper surface defining a second distance from said main head, said second distance being greater than said first distance.
A fastener subassembly, comprising:
- a fastener having:
- a main head;
- a turn tab projecting outwardly from a surface of said main head, said turn tab configured for manual manipulation when turning the fastener;
- a pedestal projecting from a surface of said head opposite from of said turn tab;
- a first deflectable leg projecting from said pedestal and having a ledge defining a first distance from said main head;
- a flexible head at a proximal end of said pedestal, between said main head and said ledge;
- and
- a first main body leg projecting from said pedestal and having an upper surface defining a second distance from said head, said second distance being greater than said first distance;
- and
- an assembly component defining an assembly component hole extending from an outer surface thereof to an other surface thereof, said pedestal extending through said hole, said deflectable head engaging said outer surface adjacent said hole, and said ledge engaging said other surface adjacent said hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.