Fastener assembly
AssigneeVSI Corporation
InventorsAlbert K. Yamamoto, Frank J. Cosenza, James R. Potter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastener assembly for securing a first panel member to a second panel member in a spaced-apart relationship. The fastener comprises a tubular shank portion having first and second end portions, a cavity being formed in the shank portion. A first spring member is secured on the outside of the shank portion and has openings near the first end of the shank portion to enable steel ball members to protrude therefrom. Inside the shank portion cavity is a stepped pin member that is spring loaded and held in place by a combination of the shank portion spring ball retention feature and step angles formed on the pin member.
Claims18
A push button type fastener comprising:
- an elongated shank having a first end terminating in a second end spaced from said first end;
- means defining an aperture extending inwardly from said second end of said elongated shank along the longitudinal axis of said elongated shank;
- means defining an opening in said elongated shank that connects said aperture to the outside surface of said elongated shank;
- a retention member, having first and second surface portion, positioned in said opening;
- a first spring positioned about the outside surface of said elongated shank, wherein said first spring has a first portion positioned in contact with said first surface portion of said retention member;
- a pin positioned within said aperture;
- a second spring applying a compressive force to said pin, wherein said pin has an end facing said second end of said elongated shank and is in contact with said second surface portion of said retention member.
A push button type fastener comprising:
- an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and means defining an aperture extending into said elongated shank from the second end along the longitudinal axis of said elongated shank,
- means defining an opening in said elongated shank, near the second end of said elongated shank, that extends through said elongated shank to the aperture;
- a retention member positioned in said opening, wherein said retention member is movable between a locked position and retracted position;
- first spring means encircling said elongated shank and having a first portion disposed adjacent to the second end of said elongated shank and a second portion opposite the first portion, wherein said first spring means is movable between a compressed position and an expanded position;
- holding means disposed adjacent to the first portion of said first spring means for holding said retention member in the retracted position when said first spring means is in the expanded position;
- a pin axially positioned within the aperture in contact with said retention member, wherein said pin is axially movable between a retracted position in which said first spring means is in the expanded position and said holding means is holding said retention member in the retracted position, and a forward position in which said first spring means is in the compressed position and said retention member is in the locked position;
- and
- second spring means for biasing said pin to the forward position and wherein said holding means and said first spring means is a single coil spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.