# US 2016/0355147 A1 · Trim dampening fastener > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0355147 A1 - Document ID: US20160355147A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/729,352 - Filed: 2015-06-03 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-03 - Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Inventors: Eric J. Zielinski; Allan A. Pett; Eric M. Ehlert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355147A1 ## CPC - B60R 13/08: Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation {(sound insulating linings for trains B61D17/185; drivers' cabs for load-carrying vehicles insulated against vibrations or noise B62D33/0604; thermal or acoustic insulation of engines F02B77/11; damping of sounds using compensation by electro-acoustic methods G10K11/178)} - B60R 13/02: {Internal} Trim mouldings {; Internal} Ledges; Wall liners {for passenger compartments}; Roof liners (B60R13/01 takes precedence {; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18}) - B60R 13/0206: {Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings (devices for fastening or securing F16B)} - F16B 1/00: Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts - F16B 39/26: with spring washers fastened to the nut or bolt-head - B60R 2013/0287: {integrating other functions or accessories} - B60R 2013/0807: {Arrangements of fasteners or clips specially adapted therefore} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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) ## Abstract A fastener with an dampener is provided. The dampener is integrated with the fastener thus eliminating the need for an additional dampener installation. The fastener includes a shaft, a head connected to the shaft, and a dampener connected to the head. The dampener includes a piston and a compression chamber that is adapted to reduce vibration and noise when installed between two panels. The dampener is mounted to the underside of the head of a bolt, or to a trim piece. In other embodiments, the dampener is connected to the head of a clip. The dampener is adapted to rest between the head of a bolt and an adjacent panel thereby slightly spacing out the bolt head from the panel, such as sheet metal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fastener assembly comprising: a head having an underside; a shaft extending downwardly from the underside of the head; and an annular dampener connected to the head, the annular dampener including a piston assembly, the annual dampener extending coaxially with the shaft; wherein the annual dampener is adapted to reduce vibration an noise between two panels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the annular dampener is integrally connected with the head of the fastener assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the head of the fastener assembly is integrally formed and a part of a trim panel, the shaft of the fastener assembly extending away from an underside portion of the trim panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fastener assembly of claim 3 wherein the annual dampener is adapted to space apart the trim panel from a body panel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the piston assembly includes a piston, a piston rod and a compression chamber, the compression chamber filled with a compressible fluid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein the faster assembly is adapted to connect a trim panel to a body panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fastener assembly of claim 6 wherein the dampener is adapted to space apart the trim panel from the body panel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein an inner surface of the dampener is spaced apart from an outer surface of the shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1 wherein a housing is provided around the piston assembly of the dampener, the housing being an elastomeric material. ### Claim 10 A fastener assembly comprising: a shaft; a head connected to the shaft; and a dampener connected to the head, the dampener being annular and including a spring positioned around the shaft, the spring adapted to be positioned between the head of the shaft and a panel, the dampener adapted to reduce vibration an noise. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 wherein a housing is provided around the spring of the dampener, the housing being an elastomeric material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 wherein the head of the fastener assembly is integrally formed and a part of a trim panel, the shaft of the fastener assembly extending away from an underside portion of the trim panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fastener assembly of claim 12 wherein the dampener is adapted to space apart the trim panel from a second panel ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 wherein the faster assembly is adapted to connect a trim panel to a body panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The fastener assembly of claim 10 wherein an inner surface of the dampener is spaced apart from an outer surface of the shaft. ### Claim 16 A trim panel assembly having a trim panel, the trim panel assembly comprising: a fastener integrally connected to an underside of the trim panel, the fastener assembly including a shaft; and a dampener positioned around the shaft of the fastener, the dampener being annular, the dampener fixedly connected to the underside of the trim panel; wherein the dampener is adapted to reduce vibration between the trim panel and a body panel when the trim panel is connected to the body panel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The trim panel assembly of claim 16 wherein the dampener is adapted to space apart the trim panel from the body panel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The trim panel assembly of claim 16 wherein the dampener includes a piston. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The trim panel assembly of claim 16 wherein the dampener includes a spring. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The trim panel assembly of claim 16 wherein a housing is provided around the dampener, the housing being an elastomeric material.