Patent ID: 6449814
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
In a fastener for mounting a first structure having an insertion rib with a retention slot to a second structure having a mounting opening comprising a U-shaped body having:a bight portion at an upper portion thereof with a pair of outer legs depending therefrom, each of the pair of outer legs having an outer surface adapted to receive an edge of the mounting opening to removably mount the outer legs to the second structure; and a pair of inner legs between the pair of outer legs, the pair of inner legs cooperating to define at least in part an elongated channel therebetween having opposing inner surfaces adapted to receive the insertion rib, each of the inner legs having, at a lower portion thereof, a retainer adapted to be received within the retention slot; the improvement comprising: at least one of the inner surfaces of the elongated channel having a variable curvature thereon defining at least two lines of contact with the insertion rib separated by at least one non-contact portion, wherein the variable curvature is undulating with a first radius of curvature, a second radius of curvature, a third radius of curvature and a fourth radius of curvature in alternating convex/concave relationship.