Patent ID: 8641319
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fastening assembly compressibly securing together a plurality of components, comprising: a plurality of stacked plastic components, each component having a mounting opening extending therethrough between a mounting surface of said component and an opposing side of said component; wherein said mounting openings of said stacked plastic components are axially aligned; a plurality of stacked compression limiters configured to engage axially end to end in tandem, said compression limiters each received into said mounting opening of a respective one of said stacked plastic components, each compression limiter including: an elongated compressive fastener received into said axial aligned bores of said stacked compression limiters and extend through said axially aligned mounting openings of said stacked compression limiters; wherein each of said compression limiters has a sleeve diameter sized to be received into said mounting opening of its associated stacked component; wherein when no compressive force is applied, each compression limiter has a sleeve height less than a thickness of its associated stacked component measured between opposing sides of said component along said mounting opening such that the engagement surface of the sleeve is arranged within said mounting opening and said compression limiter does not extend completely through said mounting opening of its associated stacked component, said sleeve height selected to set an upper limit on an amount of compressive force applied to said associated stacked component by said compressive fastener; wherein said compressive fastener applies a compressive force to said stacked plastic components and said compression limiters, said compressive force compressibly reducing said component thickness until said stacked compression limiters axially engage mounting said stacked components together such that the inner portion of the flange of a first compression limiter engages against said engagement surface of an adjacent axially aligned compression limiter; wherein a first portion of said compressive force compresses a thickness of said stacked plastic component until said thickness is compressed to a point where said compression limiters compressively engage; and wherein an excess second portion of said compressive force is bypassed around said stacked components through said sleeve members and flanges of said compressively engaged compression limiters; and wherein said flange includes an annular recess engaging against and positionally locking against said engagement surface of axially aligned adjacent stackable compression limiter upon application of sufficient compressive force by said compressive fastener, preventing said lockably engaged compression limiters from dislocating radially relative to each other.