# US 2025/0092897 A1 · Sealed Fastener Assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0092897 A1 - Document ID: US20250092897A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/823,955 - Filed: 2024-09-04 - Published: 2025-03-20 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-18 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Mark A. Beyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250092897A1 ## CPC - F16B 5/0258: {using resiliently deformable sleeves, grommets or inserts (F16B43/001 takes precedence)} - F16B 5/0241: {with the possibility for the connection to absorb deformation, e.g. thermal or vibrational} - F16B 33/004: {Sealing; Insulation (by means of washers F16B43/001)} - F16B 43/001: {for sealing or insulation} - F16B 37/044: {Nut cages} - 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 Described is a sealed fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a second component via a male fastener having a head and a shank. The sealed fastener assembly includes a seal and a retainer clip. The seal has a generally planar surface and a seal opening. The retainer clip has a body portion comprising a first plate that is resiliently connected to a second plate via a clip sidewall to define a channel. The second plate comprises a recessed seal pocket configured to receive at least a portion of the seal. The retainer clip is configured to receive at least a portion of the first component via the channel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sealed fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a second component via a male fastener having a head and a shank, the sealed fastener assembly comprising: a seal having a generally planar surface and a seal opening; and a retainer clip having a body portion comprising a first plate that is resiliently connected to a second plate via a clip sidewall to define a channel, wherein the second plate comprises a recessed seal pocket configured to receive at least a portion of the seal, and wherein the retainer clip is configured to receive at least a portion of the first component via the channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate comprises a recessed fastener pocket with a first opening formed therein. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the recessed fastener pocket is configured to receive the head of the male fastener and to mitigate rotation of the head. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the recessed seal pocket defines a second opening that aligns with the first opening to define a fastener hole configured to receive at least a portion of the shank. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the recessed fastener pocket and the recessed seal pocket are configured to interact with each other to maintain a distance between the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the recessed seal pocket is configured to extend from the second plate toward the first plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the recessed seal pocket defines a circular perimeter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the generally planar surface of the seal comprises one or more annular rings are configured to compress or deform during assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 8, wherein the seal opening is concentric with the one or more annular rings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal defines a second generally planar surface that is opposed to the generally planar surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 10, wherein the second generally planar surface comprises one or more annular rings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal defines an annular portion that defines the generally planar surface and a collar portion that extends perpendicularly from the annular portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate defines a set of planar wings that is generally parallel to the first plate and offset relative to the first plate by a distance. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate comprises a collar having an internally-threaded bore configured to threadedly engage the shank. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer clip is a stamped-metal component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The sealed fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plate or the second plate defines one or more retainer tabs configured to retain the male fastener as a part-in-assembly (PIA). ### Claim 17 A retainer clip for attaching a first component to a second component via a male fastener having a head and a shank, the retainer clip comprising: a first plate having a recessed fastener pocket with a first opening formed therein, wherein the recessed fastener pocket is configured to receive the head of the male fastener and to mitigate rotation of the head; and a second plate having a recessed seal pocket with a second opening formed therein, wherein the second plate is resiliently connected to the first plate via a clip sidewall to define a channel, wherein the recessed seal pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of a seal, wherein the retainer clip is configured to receive at least a portion of the first component via the channel, and wherein the recessed fastener pocket and the recessed seal pocket are configured to interact with each other to maintain a distance between the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The retainer clip of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first plate or the second plate defines one or more retainer tabs configured to retain the male fastener as a part-in-assembly (PIA). ### Claim 19 A retainer clip for attaching a first component to a second component via a male fastener having a head and a shank, the retainer clip comprising: a first plate having a collar with an internally-threaded bore configured to threadedly engage the shank; and a second plate having a recessed seal pocket with a second opening formed therein, wherein the second plate is resiliently connected to the first plate via a clip sidewall to define a channel, wherein the recessed seal pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of a seal, wherein the retainer clip is configured to receive at least a portion of the first component via the channel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The retainer clip of claim 19, wherein the collar is configured to maintain a distance between the first plate and the second plate.