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US 5,575,601 AGranted
Helix fastener assembly
AssigneeHeelix Fasteners, Inc.
InventorsJames Skufca, Matthew R. Skufca, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fastener assembly formed of molded plastic components and comprising helically grooved studs interference fitted into smooth walled cylindrical bores.
Claims10
A fastener assembly particularly suited for joining first and second molded plastic components comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical bores formed to extend inwardly from an outer surface of the first component;
- and,
- a plurality of stud members molded integral with and extending outwardly from an outer surface of the second component and each said stud engaged in a separate one of the said cylindrical bores in the first component, at least one of the stud members having at least one rib extending outwardly of the stud member and interference fitted in the respective bore by being axially and non-rotatively driven thereinto, the said at least one rib extending helically about the stud at a helix angle in the range above 45.degree. said at least one rib having a crest formed by a curved surface and a planar surface that intersect at substantially 90.degree..
A method of joining first and second molded plastic components comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a first cylindrical bore to extend inwardly from an outer surface of the first component;
- b) integrally molding a first plastic stud member on the second component to extend outwardly from a surface thereof to a terminal stud end, the first stud being formed with a helical rib extending radially outwardly thereof to a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the said first bore formed in first component, the helical rib having a crest formed by a curved first surface on a first side of the rib and an intersecting generally planar second surface on a second side of the rib, said first and second surfaces intersecting at a sharp corner;
- c) positioning the said first stud member and the said bore in axial alignment and non-rotatively driving the first and second components toward each other to interference fit the first stud member in the first bore;
- and,
- d) providing interengaging surfaces the first and second components to prevent relative rotary movement therebetween in directions about the axis of the first stud member.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.