FASTENING SYSTEM

Abstract: A locking device (10) includes a projecting member (12) and a retaining member (14). The projecting member (12) has a bulbous head (22) which is securely retained by the retaining member (14) which includes a body portion having a passageway or void formed therethrough. An interference defined by at least one embossment is disposed within the passageway to provide a reduced diameter portion which precludes separation of the projecting member (12) from the retainer (14). Depending on the materials of construction the interlocking relationship between the projecting member (12) and the retainer (14) can be permanent.

Description: FASTENING SYSTEM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application, Seriai No. 08/927,239, filed September 11 , 1997, for Fastening System; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION i. Fieid of the invention: The present invention pertains to fastening or iocking devices. More particuiariy, the present invention concerns fastening devices defined by cooperabie elements. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns fastening devices defined by cooperabie elements which may form a permanent interlock. il. Prior Art in the above referred to co-pending application there is disclosed therein a fastening system defined by cooperabie elements which define a plurality of interlocking grids. Each grid includes an open network or matrix of intersecting walls having a bulbous member or head surmounted the junction or intersection between the intersecting waiis which define the grid. Thus, in creating an interlocking relationship, the buibous members define an interference for compiimentary buibous members or heads produced on an associated matrix, which heads are inserted into the passageway 5 or void 5 in the matrix. Because of the configuration of the heads, depending upon the material of construction, the interlocking matrices may or may not be separable. As defined in the co-pending application the matrix is defined by piates or members. Because the plates or members are formed as integral units, oftentimes, there is insufficient space to accommodate the interlocking device thereof and thereby preclude its deployment. As discussed hereinbeiow, the present invention enabies the use of a sole or single interlock between a bulb and a void or passageway while in accordance with the principles defined in the above-referred to co-pending application. Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fastening or locking device which, generally, comprises: (a) a projection member, and (b) a receptor for the projection member, the receptor including a passageway having an interference provided therein such that the interference prevents the separation of the projection member from the receptor once the projection is urged past the interference. As contemplated by the present invention, the projection member, generally, comprises a stem having a first end and a second end. The first end is, ordinarily, affixed or secured, either directly or indirectly, to a support surface. A head, such as a bulbous member, or the like, is fixed to the stem at the second end thereof. The receptor comprises a body having a passageway or void formed therethrough which is dimensioned to receive the head of the projection member. An interference is created in the passageway. The interference may comprise any suitable means, such as an embossment or the like. The interference is sufficiently compressible such that the head of the projection member may be forced therepast. However, once therepast, the head may not be removed from the receptor in ordering use. However, if desired, the head of the projection member may be displaced therepast upon the application of a force thereto, depending on the materials of construction. Thus, the interlock achieved between the projection member and the body may be permanent or the projection member and receptor may be separable from each other. In use, the receptor further includes means for securing the body to a second support surface. Once secured thereto an interlocking relationship may be achieved between the first and second support surfaces by the insertion of the projection member into the passageway past the interference. it is contemplated in accordance herewith that the locking device hereof be defined by individual or single cooperabie units, i.e., one projection member and receptor or a series of such individual units. However, it is within the scope of the present invention that the locking device hereof may be defined by a matrix or by an elongated strip of interconnected cooperabie elements. For a more complete understanding of the present invention, references made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several view in which: Brief Description of the Drawing Figure 1 is a perspective, environmental view of a first embodiment of a locking device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptor shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the receptor hereof; Figure 4 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section showing depiagment of the present locking device; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the receptor portion of the locking device hereof; Figure 6 is a top plan view thereof; Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section showing the deployment of the locking device of the second embodiment. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Now, and with reference to the drawing, in particular Figures 1 - 4, and as above noted the present invention provides a locking device, which, generally comprises: (a) a projection member and (b) a receptor, the receptor comprising a body having a passageway formed therethrough, and an interference being disposed within the passageway such that the projection member, to prevent the removal of the projection member from the passageway, once past the interference. With more particularity, a locking device in accordance with the present invention, i.e., generally, denoted at 10. The locking device, 10, includes a projection or projecting member 12, generally, denoted at 12 and a receptor, generally, denoted at 14. The projecting member 12 includes a stem 16 having a first end 18 and a second, opposite end 18. The first end 18 may be secured to any suitable support surface 20 such as, for example, an automotive fascia, a bicycle seat, or any other suitable support surface for which interlocking with a second support surface is desired. Thus, it is to be understood that the support surface need not be deemed critical to the present invention but is identified for purposes of environment only. This, as shown in the drawing, the first support surface is a vehicle of bumper fascia. Referring again to the drawing, a head or bulbous member 22 is integrally formed with the stem and is disposed at the second end 18 thereof. The head 22 may be of any suitable material of construction such as disclosed in the above referred to co-pending application, and may be ovuiar, spherical, or the like, again, as disclosed in the co-pending application. As discussed beiow, the head 22 has a diameter sufficiently small to enable it to be inserted into the passageway of the body of the receptor but is larger than the reduced diameter of the passageway created about the interference so that the head may be prevented from removal from the passageway once past the interference. Similarly, and as shown, the head 22 is curvilinear so that it may complementariiy engage the interference in the passageway to prevent removal of the head therepast, as described below. The receptor 14 includes a body 24 which, in accordance with the first embodiment hereof, generally comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 26 having a wall 25 and a central passageway or void 27 formed therethrough. Thus, the body substantially defines a tubular conduit. At least one interference 28 is disposed in the passageway 27. The interference may be defined by any suitable means such as an embossment 30 or the like. The interference restricts or narrows the diameter of the passageway 26 such that once the head 20 of the projection member 12 is urged therepast, the head may not be separated from the receptor upon the application of a separation force thereto, depending upon the materials of construction. The interference or embossment 30 is sufficiently compressible or, alternatively, the head is sufficiently compressible to enable the head to be urged therepast. As shown in the drawing, the embossment may be of any suitable configuration and is integrally formed with the wail 25 of the housing 26 and projects inwardly into the passageway 27. The embossment terminates in a surface 31 which abuts against the curvilinear undersurface of the head, as shown, in complementary interlocking relationship. If a longer projection of the stem is associated with the projection member, the abutment will not occur. However, the inability of the head to be displaced past the interference still remains. The present invention contemplates that the receptor will be associated with a second support surface and be secured thereto either directly or indirectly. As shown in the drawing there is provided a second support surface 32 such as, for example, a fire wall, a bumper, an engine housing, etc., having an aperture 34 formed therein in which is seated the receptor 14. As shown in the drawing, the body 24 includes an annular flange 36 integral with the cylindrical wall 25. The flange seats about the aperture or opening 34 formed in the second support surface 32. The receptor further includes at least one retention member 38 integrally formed therewith and extending radially outwardly from the wall 25 of the housing 26 and is disposed beneath the flange 36. The retention member 38 cooperates with the flange 36 to lock the receptor 14 within the aperture 34 of the second support surface. Preferably, the retention member is at least one cut- out portion to cut-out from the wail 25 of the housing 26. The cut-out portion 40 provides a release such that the body 24 may be compresiveiy inserted into the aperture 34. Thus, it is to be appreciated, that the diameter of the housing 26 is siightly larger than the diameter of the aperture 34 formed in the second support surface 32 or to be substantially equai thereto so that the housing 26 can be urged there into and securely be retained therein. As shown in Figure 1 , in use, the projection member 12 is inserted into the passageway 27 such that the head 22 is urged past the terminus or undersurface 31 of the interference 30 to, thus, interlock the first support surface 20 to the second support surface 32. Depending on the materials of construction used to form the locking device hereof, once interlocking is achieved, the head cannot be urged past the lower surface of the interference to achieve a permanent lock, when a separation force is applied thereto. However, it is possible to modify the materials of construction so that the head may be compressible and may be separated therefrom upon application of an angular force or torque. Thus, the materials of construction may range from a rigid plastic, such as nylon, acrylic, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, to a flexible material such as a polyethylene foam or the like. Referring now to Figures 5 - 8, there is depicted an alternate embodiment of the locking device hereof and which is generally denoted at 110. In accordance herewith the locking device includes a projection member 112 and a receptor 114. The projection member includes an elongated stem 116 and a buibous head 118. Again, as with the first embodiment the stem 116 has a first end 120 and a second end 122, the first end contemplated as being affixed either directly or indirectly, to a first support surface 124 with the head 118 being integral with the stem 116 and disposed at the second end 122. Herein, the head 118 is shown as being ovular. According to this embodiment a locking arm 126 is integral with the projection member 112 and radially projects outwardly from the stem 116. The locking arm 126 extends between a lower surface 128 of the head 118 along a suitable extent or length thereof. The locking arm 126 is integrally formed with the stem and head as shown, to define a unitary member. The receptor 114 as shown in the drawing, generally, comprises a body member 130 of substantially rectangular configuration having a central portion 132 and at least one and preferably, a pair of opposed retention or retaining members 134 integral with the central portion 132. More particularly, the central portion comprises a substantially rectangular 1 11 111 housing 136 having intersecting walls 137, 137 , 137 , 137 , and having a passageway 138 formed therethrough. At least one, and preferably a plurality of 1 interference members 140, 140 , etc., is disposed at the junction or intersection of 1 each pair of walls of the rectangular housing, as shown. The interference 140, 140 , etc., comprises an embossment or similar protuberance 142 which extends into the passageway 138. Each embossment or protuberance is similarly constructed and comprises a curvilinear element 144 extending from approximately the top of housing to the bottom and terminating in a substantially planer portion. Preferably, an interference or protuberance is provided at each junction. A peripheral lip or flange or shoulder 146 is circumferentially disposed about the perimeter of the central portion 132 and provides an abutment surface which engages a second support surface. 1 At least one retention member 134 or 134 comprises a flexible resilient arm 46 which is integral with and which laterally and upwardly extends from the central portion, as shown. The arm 136 includes a first leg 148 which laterally projects outwardly from the bottom of the housing and an acute arm 140 or let 150 connected to and integral with the first arm 136 and angularly projecting upwardly therefrom. A third arm 152 is disposed normal to the second arm 150 at the end opposite that which joins and is united to the first arm 148. The second arm 150 has a height and width substantially equal to that of the height and width of the walls of the central portion as shown. Extending from the base of the first arm 148 and extending upwardly therefrom and disposed substantially centrally of the second arm 150 is a ramp surface 154. The ramp or ramp surface 154 has a length less than the length of the second arm such that a space or gap 156 is formed therebetween. Preferably, the space 156 is substantially equal to the height of or thickness of the second support surface such that the wall of the second support surface about the perimeter of the opening seats within the space 156. By enabling the flexure and resiliency of the retaining arm, the retention member 134 hereof can be snap fitted into an opening provided in the second support surface, as shown in Figure 8. As hereinabove noted, the bulbous head 118 has a configuration such that, and as shown in Figure 8, upon insertion of the projection member into the passageway, the configuration of the head conforms to the configuration of the lower surface of the embossment so that it can nest thereagainst. The locking arm has a diameter greater than the diameter of the restricted portion of the passageway to thus preclude separation of the projecting member from the embossment upon the application of a separation force thereagainst. In practicing the present invention, and as noted above, it is contemplated that the present locking device be defined by individual or single cooperabie projecting members and retainers. However, a plurality of such components can be used conjointly, either as individual components, or which may be joined together into distinct matrices of retainers and projecting members. Thus, it is contemplated that a strip or matrix or projecting members be provided along with a strip of retainers. Alternatively, a matrix can be provided of a plurality of projecting members and retainers-αr any other desired array. Having this described the invention what-is claimed is:

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A locking device, comprising: (a) a projecting member including a head, (b) a receptor, the receptor including a housing passageway formed therethrough, an interference disposed in the passageway to restrict the diameter thereof, the head being urgeable therethrough, and wherein, the interference prevents the removal of the head from the passageway once therepast. 2. The locking device of Claim 1 wherein the projecting member further comprises: a stem having a first end and a second end, the head being disposed at the second end, the first end being affixable to a first support surface. 3. The locking device of Claim 1 wherein the receptor further comprises: means for retaining the receptor in an opening in a second support surface. 4. A fastening system comprising: (a) a plurality of projecting members, each projecting member comprising the projection member of Claim 1 , and (b) a plurality of receptors each receptor comprising the receptor of Claim 1. 5. The locking device of Claim 1 which further comprises: at least one embossment disposed in the passageway, the embossment defining the interference. 6. The locking device of Claim 5 which further comprises: at least a pair of opposed embossments, the embossments defining the interference. 7. The locking device of Claim 3 wherein: the housing comprises a cylindrical wall having at least one cut-out portion enabling flexure of the wall, the cut-out comprising the means for retaining. 8. The locking device of Claim 3 wherein: the housing is a rectangular housing having intersecting adjacent walls, a paw of adjacent wall, intersecting at a junction, the device further comprising at least one embossment disposed in the passageway at one junction, the embossment defining the interference. 9. The locking device of Claim 8 which further comprises: at least a pair of diametrically opposed embossments. 10. The locking device of Claim 8 wherein: the rectangular member has an upper end and a lower end, the means for retaining comprising at: (a) a first wall extending outwardly from the member at the lower end thereof, (b) a second wall integral with and angular upwardly projecting from the first wall, (c) a third wall projecting outwardly from the second wail, and (d) a ramp disposed on the second wall and having a length less than that of the second wail to define a space between the upper edge of the ramp and the lower wall. 11. The fastener of Claim 2 wherein: The embossment is a curvilinear embossment, the terminus of which geometrically substantially conforms to the geometric configuration of the head. 12. The fastener of Claim 2 wherein: The first end of the stem is secured to a first support surface, the receptor member is affixed to a second support surface, and wherein the projection member with the retention member to lock the first support surface to the second support surface.

Applicants: GERSHENSON FAMILY PATENT LIMIT, GERSHENSON FAMILY PATENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F16B13
IPC codes: F16B5, F16B13, F16B21