Double Arm Blind Hole Fastener
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsHarrison Sanders, Eric Kato, Lovisa Rodriguez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fastener assembly designed to attach two components together by inserting it into an opening in the second component. The fastener assembly includes a fastener and a collar with two surfaces. Extending from one surface of the collar of the fastener assembly are two upper arms and two lower arms, each of which can flex inward during installation. When the fastener is fully inserted, the ends of the upper and lower arms within a pair make contact with each other to give the user a physical or audible indication that installation is complete.
Claims20
A fastener assembly to couple a first component to a second component via an opening associated with the second component, the fastener assembly comprising:
- a fastener configured to secure with the second component via the opening;
- a collar coupled to the fastener and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
- a pair of upper verification arms extending from the second surface of the collar, each upper verification arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a pair of lower verification arms extending from the second surface of the collar, each lower verification arm having a proximal end and a distal end,
- wherein each of the pair of upper verification arms and the pair of lower verification arms are resiliently deflectable during insertion of the fastener into the opening, and
- wherein the distal ends of the lower verification arms are configured to move toward and mechanically engage the distal ends of the upper verification arms to provide feedback to a user upon full insertion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.