Patent ID: 7798740
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: F16B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fixing element fixing a first and second panel to one another, said fixing element comprising: a body having opposing first and second insertion ends along a longitudinal axis of said fixing element and facing away from one another for insertion in a complementary cut-out in each panel; a radially extending first body portion at said first insertion end having a first bearing surface defined by a first radially extending shoulder of said first body portion, and a first snap-fit projection portion radially projecting from said first shoulder between said first bearing surface and said first insertion end for snap-fitting within said complementary cut-out of said first panel; a radially extending second body portion at said second insertion end having a second bearing surface defined by a second radially extending shoulder of said second body portion, and a second snap-fit projection portion radially projecting from said second shoulder between said second bearing surface and said second insertion end for snap-fitting within said complementary cut-out of said second panel; said first and second body portions being connected along said longitudinal axis at said first and second bearing surfaces; said second bearing surface facing in a first longitudinal direction for clamping said first panel between said second bearing surface and said first snap-fit projection portion, and said first bearing surface facing in a second longitudinal direction, opposite said first longitudinal direction, for clamping said second panel between said first bearing surface and said second snap-fit projection portion; and wherein said first and second bearing surfaces lie in the same plane and said first and second shoulders radially extend from said longitudinal axis in angularly offset positions with respect to each other, so that said first and second panels are fixed to one another with said fixing element and are in direct contact with one another.