Compliant Stud Retainer
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsThomas A. Benoit, Paul D. Barkauski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stud-retention assembly for securing a fastener to a stud includes a hinged ring clip and a retainer insert. The retainer insert attaches to the stud and is captured within the hinged ring clip, which allows the insert to move slightly both rotationally and linearly. This design provides compliance to accommodate misaligned studs, permits interchangeable retainer inserts for different stud sizes, and enables easy servicing or replacement without removing the clip.
Claims20
A stud-retention assembly for securing a fastener to a stud of a component, the assembly comprising:
- a hinged ring clip defining a pocket with an annular slot;
- and
- a retainer insert configured to be movably retained within the pocket of the hinged ring clip, the retainer insert comprising one or more stud-engagement features configured to fixedly couple the retainer insert to the stud,
- wherein the hinged ring clip comprises a first portion joined to a second portion via a hinge, the first and second portions pivotable between an open position and a closed position configured to capture the retainer insert within the pocket.
A compliant fastener assembly for securing one or more components to a first component having a stud, the compliant fastener assembly comprising:
- a carrier portion configured to receive one or more second components;
- and
- a fastener portion coupled to the carrier portion via a spacer portion, the fastener portion comprising a stud-retention assembly having
- a hinged ring clip defining a pocket with an annular slot;
- and
- a retainer insert configured to be movably retained within the pocket of the hinged ring clip, the retainer insert comprising one or more stud-engagement features configured to fixedly couple the retainer insert to the stud,
- wherein the hinged ring clip comprises a first portion joined to a second portion via a hinge, the first and second portions pivotable between an open position and a closed position configured to capture the retainer insert within the pocket, and
- wherein the spacer portion is configured to accommodate a length of the stud extending beyond the retainer insert.
A stud-retention assembly for securing a fastener to a stud of a component, the assembly comprising:
- a hinged ring clip comprising a first portion and a second portion joined via a hinge, the first and second portions pivotable between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a retainer insert movably retained within a pocket defined by the hinged ring clip, the retainer insert comprising one or more stud-engagement features configured to fixedly couple the retainer insert to the stud,
- wherein, in the closed position of the hinged ring clip, the retainer insert is captured within the pocket but permitted to move rotationally and linearly within the pocket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.