Abstract:
A fastener connects a first object to a second object and includes an anchor securable to the second object and configured to have a portion thereof pass through a hole in the first object. A latch is connectable to the anchor on a side of the first object opposite the second object. The latch is connectable without tools, and provides clamping force for securing the objects to each other.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present regular United States Patent Application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/566,236 filed on Apr. 29, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to fasteners for detachably, yet securely connecting one object to another object, and, more particularly, to fasteners used to attach assemblies to frames, such as door module assemblies to motor vehicle door panels. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Different types of fastener configurations are used to connect subassemblies to each other and to frames of machines in which they operate. In the automotive industry, for example, it is known to assemble various subassemblies and thereafter to install the subassemblies in the automobile. It is known to assemble a door module to include the lock and handle mechanisms, and thereafter to fasten the door module to an inner sheet metal component using metal bolts and weld nuts. Attachment may require the use of ten or twelve such fasteners at selected locations within the module to securely affix the module in the proper location. 
   The process of connecting door modules to the door frame using metal bolts and weld nuts is both time consuming and expensive. One or more hand or power tools need to be available, and must be used efficiently and properly, including the proper engagement of the tool with the fastener. Even a slight delay while engaging the tool with the fastener or while operating the tool to tighten the fastener projected over the large number of fasteners used can substantially increase the assembly time required. Conversely, a relatively small change in efficiency per fastener projected over the large number of fasteners used increases the production efficiency significantly. 
   Fasteners for securing door modules or other subassemblies in place must be strong and secure, yet desirably are detachable so that the subassembly can be removed for servicing or repair. Bolt-like fasteners can be difficult to disengage after having remained in position for an extended period of time. Threads of threaded fasteners can become distorted, and corrosion can cause the fastener to be difficult to operate. Once detached, many fasteners are not suitable for re-use, increasing the expensive for servicing and repair. 
   What is needed is a fastener that is strong and secure, is reusable and provides sufficient clamping force for securing relatively large objects in place. Preferably, the fastener can be operated without the use of tools. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a fastener having an anchor that can be pre-assembled to one object, and a latch attachable to the anchor to secure a second object to the first object. The latch can be engaged without the use of tools, and provides a clamping force sufficient to secure objects together. 
   In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a fastener for securing a first object having a hole therethrough to a second object. The fastener has an anchor for attachment to the second object. The anchor includes a base configured for attachment to the second object, a post projecting from the base and an enlargement at the distal end of the post. The post is configured for inserting in the hole of the first object. A latch is configured for selective engagement with and disengagement from the base. The latch includes a body having an end face and first and second adjacent faces extending away from opposite edges of the end face. The body defines a cavity configured for receiving and holding the enlargement. The cavity extends from the first adjacent face to the second adjacent face and has an opening in the first adjacent face sufficiently large for the enlargement to enter the cavity. A restriction in the cavity prevents the enlargement from passing there past to the second adjacent face. A channel is open to the cavity, to the end face and to the first and second adjacent faces. The channel is of sufficient width for the post to pass therethrough and of insufficient width at least adjacent the cavity for the enlargement to enter the channel. 
   In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a fastener for securing a first object having a hole therethrough to a second object. The fastener has an anchor connectable to the second object. The anchor includes a base configured for attachment to the second object, a post projecting from the base; and an enlargement on a distal end of the post. The enlargement is configured to pass through the hole. A latch includes a body having an end face and first and second faces adjacent opposite edges of the end face. A generally keyhole shaped slot extends into the body between the first face and the second face, the slot including a cavity having an opening in the first face of sufficient size for the enlargement to enter therethrough. The cavity has a restriction therein between the first and second faces for preventing the enlargement from passing there past. The slot includes a channel open to the cavity and extending through the body between the first face and the second face, and between the cavity and the end face. The channel is of sufficient width for the post to move therethrough and is sufficiently narrow adjacent the cavity to prevent the enlargement from entering the channel. 
   In a still further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a fastener for securing a first object having a hole therethrough to a second object. The fastener has an anchor connectable to the second object. The anchor includes a base configured for attachment to the second object, a post projecting from the base; and an enlargement on a distal end of the post. The enlargement is configured to pass through the hole. A latch includes a body having a slot for disengageable receiving and engaging the post and the enlargement in a first position. The latch is configured for tilting to a second position to lock the post and enlargement into the latch and to compress the first and second objects toward each other. 
   Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a fastener in accordance with the present invention, and two objects to be secured to each other; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment for an anchor for a fastener in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the anchor; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a latch for a fastener in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the latch shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of the latch; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the fastener depicting the latch in a position for completing connection to the anchor; and 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the fastener in an assembled condition. 
   

   Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to  FIG. 1  in particular, numeral  10  designates a fastener in accordance with the present invention. Fastener  10  includes an anchor  12  and a latch  14 . Fastener  10  is used to secure a first object  16  to a second object  18 . 
   First object  16  and second object  18  are depicted in the drawings as plate-like structures for purposes of simplicity. However, it should be understood that first and second objects  16  and  18  can be of a variety of different forms and constructions. For example, first object  16  can be a door module in an automobile, and may include door handle and lock mechanisms and the like (not shown). Second object  18  can be a sheet panel in the door, or frame-like structure of the door. Other examples of structures for which fastener  10  can be used include, but are not limited to fuse boxes and covers, air filter housings and covers, jack stowage compartments and covers, etc. It should be further understood that depending on the size, shape and construction of first and second objects  16  and  18 , a plurality of fasteners  10  can be used to secure first object  16  to second object  18 . For example, eight to twelve fasteners  10  may be required around a door module provided as first object  16 , to secure the module to a door panel provided as second object  18 . Objects  16  and  18  can be of a variety of materials including metals and plastic. Objects  16  and  18  define therein holes  20 ,  22  respectively, one set of holes  20 ,  22  for each fastener  10  being used. 
   Anchor  12  and latch  14  also can be of a variety of materials, such as metal or plastics. For example, acetal is a suitable material for anchor  12  and for latch  14 . Forming anchor  12  and latch  14  can be by molding or other suitable and efficient forming techniques, as those skilled in the art will understand readily. 
   Anchor  12  includes a base  24 , a post  26  extending axially from base  24  and an enlargement  28  on a distal end of post  26 , opposite base  24 . Anchor  12  including base  24 , post  26  and enlargement  28  can be formed as a monolithic body of cast material, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. 
   Base  24  is configured for attaching anchor  12  to second object  18 , and in the embodiment illustrated is configured specifically for attaching anchor  12  in hole  22  of second object  18 . Base  24  thereby includes a central elongation  30  and one or more lateral members  32  extending outwardly from elongation  30 . Elongation  30  can be a substantially cylindrical hollow body, with lateral members  32  being deflectable portions thereof. In the embodiment illustrated, two lateral members  32  are shown substantially diametrically opposed to each other on elongation  30 . However, those skilled in the art will understand that one, or more than two lateral members also can be used, and lateral members  32  may take other shapes and forms than that shown. Lateral members  32  define an outer perimeter larger in diameter than hole  22  of second object  18 . Lateral members  32  deflect radially inwardly toward and/or into elongation  30 , as base  24  is inserted in hole  22 . Lateral members  32  spring outwardly as the lateral members  32  are pushed completely through hole  22  of second object  18 . Elongation  30  may include a tapered end  34  to facilitate insertion of base  24  in hole  22  by allowing easy alignment thereof in hole  22 . 
   A circumferential flange  36  is provided at the transition between base  24  and post  26 , and may be formed also monolithically with base  24  and post  26 . Flange  36  is of greater diameter than hole  22  so that flange  36  cannot pass through hole  22 . Flange  36  and ends of lateral members  32  are spaced from each other by a distance substantially similar to a thickness dimension of second object  18  immediately adjacent hole  22 . Second object  18  is securely held in the space between lateral members  32  and flange  36  when base  24  is fully inserted in hole  22 , with lateral member  32  and flange  36  confronting opposite faces  38 ,  40  of second object  18 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   Anchor  12  can be pre-installed in second object  18  at any time convenient to the assembly process. Installation of anchor  12  can occur when first object  16  is to be attached thereto, or can be performed at any time prior to the time at which first object  16  is to be connected thereto. When first and second objects  16  and  18  are separately assembled and later brought together, anchor  12  can be installed in second object  18  while other components of second object  18  are being installed, during a phase of the assembly of second object  18  when the installation of anchor  12  is convenient and easy. 
   Flange  36  can be provided with a resilient layer  42  thereon against which first object  16  is compressed when latch  10  is connected. Resilient layer  42  can be made of material sufficient to provide a weather-tight seal when such is desirable or simply to facilitate secure mounting of first object  16  on anchor  12 . In one embodiment, resilient layer  42  is an elastomer formed as an over-molding on anchor  12 . Discrete washers also can be used. Santoprene is a suitable material for layer  42  when a seal resistant to moisture intrusion is desired. 
   Post  26  and enlargement  28  are configured to pass through hole  20  of first object  16  so that first object  16  can be inserted on anchor  12  to rest against flange  36  and/or resilient layer  42 . It is noted that in an alternative arrangement, flange  36  can be smaller than hole  20  so as to enable the user to install anchor  12  after first object  16  is positioned against second object  18 . This arrangement may be desirable when a seal or more secure mounting assembly is not required. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate further embodiments of anchor  12 . Post  12  is provided with one or more angular wing  44  that will center and/or wedge within hole  20  of first object  16 . A domed cap  46  can be used in place of the flatter flange  36  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Other variations are possible, to accommodate desired design objectives for strength, rigidity, sealing and the like. 
   Latch  14  includes a main body  50  having an end face  52  and first and second adjacent faces  54 ,  56 , respectively, extending from generally opposite edges of end face  52 . A keyhole-shaped slot  58  extends through body  50  from first face  54  to second face  56 . Keyhole-shaped slot  58  includes a cavity  60  and a channel  62 , each opening in first face  54 . Cavity  60  is of sufficient size for enlargement  28  to enter therein, and channel  62  is of sufficient size for post  26  to enter therein. A restriction  64  is provided in cavity  60 , to prevent enlargement  28  from passing completely through body  12  from first face  54  thereof to second face  56  thereof. Channel  62  extends between cavity  60  and end face  52 . Channel  62  further extends completely through body  50  from first face  54  thereof to second face  56  thereof. Channel  62  is of sufficient width through out to allow post  26  to move therethrough. Channel  62   t  is sufficiently narrow adjacent cavity  60  that enlargement  28  cannot enter channel  62 . 
   Channel  62  substantially bisects end face  52  into first and second sides  66 ,  68 . Curved transitions  70 ,  72 , respectively, are provided between first and second sides  66 ,  68  and the adjacent portions of second face  56 . 
   A thickness dimension of body  50  between first adjacent face  54  and second adjacent face  56  is greater nearest end face  52  and becomes less farther from end face  52 . Thus, body  52  gets progressively narrower in the dimension between first face  54  and second face  56  further from end face  52 . 
   A handle  74  projects from body  50  substantially opposite end face  52 , substantially along first adjacent face  54 . 
   In the use of fastener  10 , anchor  12  is secured to second object  18  by inserting elongation  30  into hole  22  of second object  18 , with anchor  20  being forced therein until lateral members  32  are pushed through hole  22 . Lateral members  32  deflect inwardly to allow insertion of base  24  in hole  22 , and spring outwardly when pushed past face  38 . 
   First object  16  is positioned to slide hole  20  over enlargement  28  and around and along post  26 . First object  16  is pushed along post  26  until first object  16  rests against flange  36  and/or resilient layer  42 . 
   Latch  14  is positioned substantially as shown in  FIG. 7 , with end face  52  against first object  16  and first adjacent face  54  approaching and confronting a distal end portion of post  26  and enlargement  28 . Enlargement  28  and post  26  enter slot  58  as latch  14  is slid forward, with adjacent face  54  sliding past post  16 . Latch  14  is slid there along until enlargement  18  confronts restriction  64  in cavity  60 . By pressing on handle  74 , an installer causes latch  14  to tilt, rotating on curved transitions  70 ,  72  so that end face  52  is elevated away from first object  16  and second adjacent face  56  is moved toward first object  16 . Enlargement  28  is held in cavity  60  by restriction  64  and by the narrowness of channel  62  adjacent cavity  60 . Thus, enlargement  28  slides along surfaces of cavity  60  as latch  14  is tilted from the position shown in  FIG. 7  to that shown in  FIG. 8 . Post  26  swings through channel  62  until it projects outwardly from cavity  60  in second adjacent face  56 . 
   Since body  50  is of greater thickness between first face  54  and second face  56  nearer end face  52  than further from end face  52 , slightly more than 90° rotation is required along curved transitions  70  and  72 . In the affixed position, handle  74  angles downwardly toward first object  16  from end face  52  to the distal end of handle  74 . 
   By providing controlled relative dimensions of channel  62 , a compressive force is applied as latch  14  is rotated and secured. To achieve the compressive force, the dimension of channel  62  between cavity  60  and end face  52  is less than the dimension between restriction  64  and second face  56 . As latch  14  is moved from having end face  52  against first object  16  to having second adjacent face  56  against first object  16 , first object  16  is forced downwardly against flange  36  and/or resilient layer  42 . By controlling the dimensions of channel  62 , the desired degree of compressive force can be applied. Since body  50  becomes thinner away from end face  52 , as latch  14  is moved to the tightened position, second adjacent face  56  snaps against first object  16 , indicating the fastener is secured properly. Both visual and audible indications of a completed connection can be provided. The length and position of handle  74  provides a mechanical advantage so that rotation of latch  14  can be completed without the use of tools, even when significant compressive force is applied by the completion of the connection of latch  14  to anchor  12 . 
   First object  16  can be provided with a compressive seal  76  to create a further moisture-tight seal between first object  16  and second object  18 , as compressive force is applied by fastener  10 . While depicted in the drawings as surrounding fastener  10 , seal  76  can be provided at relevant contact points between first object  16  and second object  18 . Again, by way of example, when first object  16  is a door module, and second object  18  is a primary door panel, and a plurality of fasteners  10  are used to secure the module to the panel, seal  76  can be provided around the perimeter of the door module. 
   Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
   Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.