Patent ID: 6049952
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
A one piece fastener for securing an energy absorbing panel to an interior support structure in an automotive vehicle, comprising:a main body formed with a flattened, generally rectilinear and laterally extending back portion and a discrete lower edge portion turned outwardly at a predetermined angle from a laterally extending bight of said back portion to a terminal lower edge, a pair of laterally spaced and rounded hinging shoulders extending upwardly and from an upper portion of said back portion and reversibly curved over in front of said back portion, a pair of laterally spaced spring front arm portions spaced from and extending downwardly in front of said back portion; each of said laterally spaced spring arms being formed with a lower edge portion turned outwardly from a laterally extending bight that interfaces with the bight of said back portion that extends to a terminal edge, a neck portion extending upwardly from said back portion and from a location between said shoulders, a head portion extending at an angle from an upper end of said neck portion and a pair of spring like and laterally extending retention ears depending from opposite sides of said head portion and aligned with said back portion adapted to be pinched inwardly by side walls of a retention slot in the support structure.