Fastener anchor formed in thermoplastic sheet
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorRoger C. Turner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A recess-type, screw-receiving fastener is formed directly into a thermoplastic sheet, preferably during the same operation which forms the plastic sheet into a useful configuration, such as a refrigerator inner liner. The fastener, when viewed from the rear side, resembles a plurality of "pinches" forming gusset-like folds. From the front side, it comprises a central recess in communication with side recesses formed by the interiors of the gusset-like folds. The central recess is adapted for receiving a male fastener such as a screw and the gusset-like folds distribute the load into a sufficient surrounding area of the plastic sheet.
Claims7
A recess-type fastener formed in a plastic component vacuum-formed from a thermoplastic sheet:
- said fastener integrally formed in said component;
- said fastener adapted for receiving a male fastener and comprising:
- a central portion, said central portion including a central recess in the interior thereof;
- and
- a gusset-like fold extending from said fastener central portion to a portion of the plastic sheet surrounding said central portion, said gusset-like fold forming a side recess in communication with said central recess and distributing a load exerted by the male fastener over a large area of the plastic component surrounding said recess.
A recess-type fastener formed in a refrigerator liner vacuum-formed from a thermoplastic sheet:
- said fastener integrally formed in said liner;
- said fastener adapted for receiving a male fastener to attach an article to the liner and comprising:
- a central portion, said central portion including a central recess in the interior thereof;
- a plurality of gusset-like folds extending from said fastener central portion to a portion of the plastic liner surrounding said central portion;
- said gusste-like folds forming side recesses in communication with said central recess and distributing a load exerted by the male fastener over a large area of the liner surrounding said central recess;
- and
- the intersections of adjacent side recesses providing surfaces for engaging the male fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.