# US 5,699,601 A · Snap tab fastener and disassembly tool therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,601 A - Document ID: US5699601A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/521,506 - Filed: 1995-08-30 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1995-08-30 - Assignees: Ford Motor Company - Inventors: Peter H. Gilliam; David William Lumley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699601A ## CPC - B25B 27/00: Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for (machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects B23P19/00) - F16B 5/0012: {a tongue on the edge of one sheet, plate or panel co-operating with a groove in the edge of another sheet, plate or panel} - F16B 5/0016: {with snap action} - H05K 5/15: assembled by resilient members - F16B 2200/50: Flanged connections - Y10T 29/53909: Means comprising hand manipulatable tool - Y10T 29/53943: Hand gripper for direct push or pull - Y10T 403/606: Leaf spring - Y10T 403/7045: Interdigitated ends - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - 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) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A snap tab fastener connects first and second ventilation system housing members together. The fastener includes a tongue and groove assembly and a tab and loop assembly. The tongue and groove have a bit of flexibility so that an air tight connection is maintained during minor separation of the two. The tab engages the loop to lock the two components together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A snap tab fastener for connecting first and second housing members together, comprising: a tongue extending from an end portion of said first housing member defining a first space below said tongue and a second space above said tongue; a loop on the end portion of said first housing member above said tongue having an opening in communication with said second space, said loop having a central portion and a center; a first groove member extending from said second housing member; a second groove member, spaced from said first groove member, extending from said second housing member defining a groove between said first and second groove members for receiving said tongue; and a tab extending from said second groove member in a direction toward said tongue and engageable with said loop to lock said first and second housing members together, said tab having a locking member that protrudes through said loop, said loop snapping into position over said tab locking said housing members together, said locking member having a horizontally extending raised curved portion that curves vertically upward to contact said central portion of said loop to expand said loop from said center horizontally outward during insertion of said locking member in said loop. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tongue is bifurcated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tongue has first and second flanges, said first flange enjoying sealing engagement with said first groove member and said second flange enjoying sealing engagement with said second groove member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tongue has first and second flanges spaced from one another a first preselected distance, said flanges contacting said groove members and compressing towards one another so that they are spaced from one another a second preselected distance that is less than said first preselected distance, said first flange exerting a first sealing force against said first groove member and said second flange exerting a second sealing force against said second groove member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second groove members are biased towards one another. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said groove members converge towards one another at an open mouth of said groove. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, including longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs on said first housing member near said loop. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, including longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs on said second housing member near said tab. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said ribs has an end forming an acute angle with said second housing member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, including an alignment pin on one of said first and second housing members alignable with a locator loop on the other of said first and second housing members. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said loop is about 10 mm wider than said tab to act as a bow to snap onto said locking member during insertion of said tab in said loop. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said loop defines a gap of predetermined thickness and wherein a thickness of said tab between said groove and a raised curved portion of said tab is greater than said thickness of said gap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A snap tab fastener, as set forth in claim 1, including a disassembly tool having a handle with first and second spaced apart, tapered fingers extending from said handle for insertion between said loop and tab to unlock said first and second housing members. ### Claim 14 A snap tab fastener for connecting first and second housing members together, comprising: a tongue extending from an end portion of said first housing member defining a first space below said tongue and a second space above said tongue; a loop on the end portion of said first housing member above said tongue having a central portion with a center and an opening in communication with said second space; a first groove member extending from said second housing member; a second groove member, spaced from said first groove member, extending from said second housing member defining a groove between said first and second groove members for receiving said tongue, said tongue and groove members enjoying sealing engagement during minor separation of said first and second housing members; and a tab having a locking member and extending from said second groove member in a direction toward said tongue, said locking member having a horizontally extending raised curved portion that curves vertically upward to contact said central portion of said loop to expand said loop from said center horizontally outward during insertion of said locking member into said loop, said locking member protruding through said loop when said first and second housing members are assembled to lock said first and second housing members together when said loop snaps into position over said locking member. ### Claim 15 A snap tab fastener for connecting first and second housing members together, comprising: a tongue extending from an end portion of said first housing member defining a first space below said tongue and a second space above said tongue; a loop on the end portion of said first housing member above said tongue having a central portion with a center and an opening in communication with said second space; longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs on said first housing member near said loop; a first groove member extending from said second housing member; a second groove member, spaced from said first groove member, extending from said second housing member defining a groove between said first and second groove members for receiving said tongue, said tongue and groove members enjoying sealing engagement during minor separation of said first and second housing members; a tab having a locking member and extending from said second groove member in a direction toward said tongue, said locking member having a horizontally extending raised curved portion that curves vertically upward to contact said central portion of said loop to expand said loop from said center horizontally outward during insertion of said locking member into said loop, said locking member protruding through said loop when said first and second housing members are assembled to lock said first and second housing members together when said loop snaps into position over said locking member; longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs on said second housing member near said tab; and an alignment pin on one of said first and second housing members alignable with a locator loop on the other of said first and second housing members.