Panel aligning fastening system

An apparatus, comprising in combination:

• a panel having a hole which has a cylindrical portion;
• a substructure having a hole which generally aligns with the hole in the panel;
• a fastener having a head at one end, a smooth cylindrical upper section, the upper section having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel, a smooth cylindrical central section of smaller diameter than the upper section, an integral tapered section interconnecting the upper and central sections, and an integral threaded section extending from the central section;
• a receptacle having a sleeve which extends into the substructure hole, the sleeve having a bore with a smooth cylindrical upper section having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the upper section of the fastener, a smooth cylindrical central section substantially equal in diameter to the diameter of the central section of the fastener, a tapered section located between the upper section and the central section, a threaded section extending below the central section, and a flange on a lower end of the sleeve;
• and
• wherein the dimensions of the holes in the panel and the receptacle are selected such that the cylindrical central section of the fastener begins to engage the cylindrical central section of the bore of the receptacle before the tapered section of the fastener contacts the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel.

A method for aligning and securing a panel to a substructure, the panel and substructure having holes which generally align, the hole in the panel having a cylindrical portion, the method comprising:

• providing a fastener having a head at one end, a smooth cylindrical upper section, the upper section having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel, a smooth cylindrical central section of smaller diameter than the upper section, an integral tapered section interconnecting the upper and central sections, and an integral threaded section extending from the central section;
• installing on the substructure a receptacle having a sleeve which extends into the hole in the substructure, the sleeve having a bore with a smooth cylindrical upper section having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the upper section of the fastener, a smooth cylindrical central section substantially equal in diameter to the diameter of the central section of the fastener, a tapered section located between the upper section and the central section, and a threaded section extending below the central section;
• inserting the fastener threaded section into the receptacle threaded section and rotating the fastener, which causes the central section of the fastener to engage the central section of the receptacle before the tapered section of the fastener contacts the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel, and continuing to rotate the fastener to cause the tapered section on the fastener to enter the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel, exerting a lateral force on the panel to align the hole in the panel with the bore in the receptacle.