# US 9,435,363 B2 · Device for securing a panel to a mounting stud > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,363 B2 - Document ID: US9435363B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/549,598 - Filed: 2014-11-21 - Published: 2015-03-19 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-20 - Assignees: Alpha Stamping Compay - Applicants: Alpha Stamping Company - Inventors: Robert E. Stewart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435363B2 ## CPC - F16B 5/0258: {using resiliently deformable sleeves, grommets or inserts (F16B43/001 takes precedence)} - F16B 5/0208: {using panel fasteners, i.e. permanent attachments allowing for quick assembly} - F16B 5/065: {the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance} - F16B 29/00: Screwed connection with deformation of nut or auxiliary member while fastening ({Nuts fastened to surfaces by riveting F16B37/065}; members deformed for locking screws, bolts or nuts F16B39/22) - F16B 37/02: made of thin sheet material (fastening to surfaces F16B37/04 {; used as lock-nuts F16B39/14}) - F16B 37/043: {with snap action} - F16B 41/002: {Measures against loss of bolts, nuts or pins (devices for fastening nuts to surfaces F16B37/04)} - F16B 5/0664: {at least one of the sheets or plates having integrally formed or integrally connected snap-in-features} - F16B 5/08: by means of welds or the like (welding B23K) - F16B 37/0857: {with the threaded portions of the nut engaging the thread of the bolt by the action of one or more springs or resilient retaining members (F16B37/0821 and F16B37/0835 take precedence)} - 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 A device for securing a panel to a mounting stud with external teeth. An annular first body has an inner periphery, a plurality of lock fingers extending from the inner periphery, and a plurality of stop fingers extending from the inner periphery and circumferentially spaced from the plurality of lock fingers. An annular second body has a center opening, a plurality of lock openings spaced from the center opening for receiving the plurality of lock fingers to lock the first and second bodies together, and a plurality of legs extending inwardly overlying the center opening for engaging external teeth on the mounting stud. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for securing a panel to a mounting stud with external teeth, said device including: an annular first body having an inner periphery, a plurality of lock fingers extending from said inner periphery, and a plurality of stop fingers extending from said inner periphery and circumferentially spaced from said plurality of lock fingers, and an annular second body having a center opening, a plurality of lock openings spaced from said center opening for receiving said plurality of lock fingers to lock said first and second bodies together, and a plurality of legs extending inwardly overlying said center opening for engaging external teeth on the mounting stud. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said second body is securable to said first body such that said center opening is positionable over mounting stud and said legs are engageable with the teeth on the mounting stud to prevent removal of said bodies and a panel therebetween from the mounting stud. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of lock fingers includes a pair of diametrically opposed parallel lock fingers extending from said inner periphery of said first body, and said plurality of lock openings includes a pair of diametrically spaced lock openings for receiving said fingers to lock said bodies to each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device set forth in claim 3 wherein said plurality of stop fingers includes a pair of diametrically opposed stop fingers extending from said inner periphery at 90 degree spacing from said lock fingers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said lock fingers and said stop fingers are on a common circle around said inner periphery. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs includes a pair of diametrically opposed legs extending inwardly and overlying said center opening at an acute angle to an axis of said center opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said first body is substantially flat and said second body has a substantially flat periphery. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said bodies has at least one tooth for digging into the panel and preventing rotation of said bodies with respect to the panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second bodies include recesses in outer edges thereof and aligned with said openings to facilitate correct alignment of said fingers with said openings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said second body has a domed contour. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device set forth in claim 10 wherein said first and second bodies are metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device set forth in claim 10 wherein said lock fingers extend through said domed contour of said second body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said lock fingers has a reverse-angle end to lock said fingers in said lock openings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device set forth in claim 1 wherein wherein said plurality of legs of said second body includes diametrically opposed legs extending inwardly and overlying said center opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device set forth in claim 14 wherein said legs are at an acute angle to an axis of said center opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device set forth in claim 15 wherein said legs have concave arcuate ends. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A product including: a panel having an opening therein, a mounting stud extending through said opening of said panel and having external teeth, and the device set forth in claim 1 with the annular first body disposed on a side of said panel, and the annular second body disposed on an opposite side of said panel, wherein said opening in said panel has a diameter that is greater than spacing between said lock fingers such that said bodies float with respect to said panel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The product set forth in claim 17 wherein said stud has a base flange, and wherein said inner periphery of said first body is of sufficient diameter for receipt over said base flange. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The product set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and second bodies include recesses in outer edges thereof and aligned with said openings to facilitate correct alignment of said fingers with said openings.