Patent ID: 7377735
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: F16B

Abstract:
1. The fastener assembly comprising: a fastener including an elongated shaft having an exterior surface defining at least two longitudinally-oriented slots terminated short of the end of said shaft, at least two axially-oriented slots extending to the end of said shaft and circumferentially spaced from said longitudinally-oriented slots, said end of said fastener having a taper at an angle of about 70° and a depth of about 0.035-0.040 inches from said end; a continuous retaining ring having a main body and a plurality of substantially t-shaped internal tabs, said tabs are about twice as thick as the exterior of said main body of said ring and adapted to snap onto said elongated shaft, with the tabs projecting into said slots, the thickness of the tabs providing freer axial travel through the longitudinally-oriented slots of the fastener and preventing the retaining ring from being damaged by gouging during installation; and at least two circumferentially-oriented cross-over slots interconnecting said longitudinally-oriented and said axially-oriented slots; wherein said tabs are wider than said crossover slots substantially reducing the possibility of said tabs from entering said crossover slots.