# US 4,396,326 A · Self sealing J nut

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- Number: US 4,396,326 A
- Document ID: US4396326A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/202,399
- Filed: 1980-10-30
- Granted: 1983-08-02
- Earliest claimed: 1980-10-30
- Assignees: Ford Motor Company
- Inventors: Wm. Michael McKinnie, III; Chester Sokol
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396326A

## CPC

- F16B 37/041: {Releasable devices (F16B37/044, F16B37/045 take precedence)}
- F16B 33/004: {Sealing; Insulation (by means of washers F16B43/001)}
- 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

FIG. 1 shows fastener, sealer member 100 mounted to fastening member 102 through access opening 106. Fastener sealer member 100 has flap member 300 mounted to unitary fastener member 200 seals fastening opening 104; flap 300 with areas 302 and 304 seals access opening 106.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A article of manufacture, which comprises:
a first fastener member of an elongated, generally U-shaped configuration and having first and second prongs (i) integrated together at respective first curved ends to form a rearward portion of said U-shaped configuration and (ii) perforated at respective second, free ends, forward of said rearward portion, for permitting operative engagement of a second fastener member to means to secure said second fastener member carried by said first fastener member and; a sealing member carried by said first prong and having a flap portion (i) comprising a flap extending rearward a substantial distance of said rearward portion and (ii) having a width dimension, measured in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of said first fastener member, that exceeds a so measured width dimension of said second prong.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first fastener carries said sealing member on a surface portion of said first prong opposite said second prong.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

An article in accordance with claim 2, wherein said flap portion has a plane that tips toward said second prong.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2, 3)

An article in accordance with claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said flap portion comprises an elastomer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

An article in accordance with claim 4, wherein said sealing member has a recess conforming to a surface portion of said first prong.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An article in accordance with claim 5, wherein said first fastener member is unitary.

### Claim 7

An article of manufacture for fastening a first fastenable member to a second at an isolated fastening opening of said first, which comprises:
a first fastener member of an elongated, generally U-shaped configuration and having first and second prongs (i) integrated together at respective first curved ends to form a rearward portion of said U-shaped configuration and (ii) perforated at respective second, free ends, forward of said rearward portion, for operatively engaging a second fastener member at means to secure said second fastener member carried by said second prong and;
a sealing member mounted on a surface portion of said first prong opposite said second prong and having a flap portion (i) comprising a relatively thin flap extending rearward a substantial distance of said rearward portion and (ii) having a width dimension, measured in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of said first fastener member, that exceeds a so measured width dimension of said second prong.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

An article in accordance with claim 7, wherein said sealing member comprises an elastomer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

An article in accordance with claim 8, wherein said elastomer tips from said first prong toward said second prong.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

An article in accordance with claim 8, wherein said elastomer comprises polyvinylchloride.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7, 8, 9, 10)

An article in accordance with claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein said first end of said first prong has a width dimension, measured perpendicular to the long axis of said first fastener, that exceeds a correspondingly measured dimension of said fastening opening.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

An article in accordance with claim 11, wherein said flap portion of said sealing member has a recess conforming to a surface portion of said first prong.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

An article in accordance with claim 12, wherein a rearward portion of said flap portion of said sealing member has a location in a plane that (i) intersects said rearward curved portion and (ii) is between said first and second prongs.