Patent ID: 7021876
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: F16B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A captive panel fastener assembly comprising: a) a fastener having a head at a proximal end, a shank extending distally from the head, and an externally threaded portion extending distally from said shank, said externally threaded portion having external threads and having a distal unthreaded end portion; b) the shank having an outer diameter comparable to or greater than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the fastener; c) the distal end of the fastener having a central opening, the opening having inwardly extending threads; d) the shank of the fastener and the threaded portion having a plurality of longitudinally extending slots each having a radially inner bottom and an open distal end; e) a first washer having radially inwardly extending prongs for fitting into the longitudinally extending slots, the first washer being relatively inflexible; f) a retention mating screw or bolt having a head at a proximal end and a threaded portion extending distally from the head threadably mounted into the threaded central opening, the head of the retention mating screw or bolt having a diameter substantially less than a radially outer diameter of the external threads of the fastener; and g) a small second washer having an outer diameter greater than a diameter formed by the bottom of the slots, the small second washer being retained on the distal unthreaded end portion of the fastener by the head of the retention mating screw or bolt between the open distal ends of the slots and the head of the retention mating screw or bolt, wherein the head of the retention mating screw or bolt removably blocks the open distal ends of the slots indirectly by holding the small second washer in place, and removably retains the first washer onto the fastener by preventing the prongs of the first washer from sliding off the distal unthreaded end of the fastener, to thereby hold the fastener captive in a desired location.