Abstract:
A fastener including a body and a locking pin is disclosed. The fastener body includes an apertured base and conjoined flexible arms extending from the base and defining a passage therebetween. The locking pin is arranged for movement relative to the fastener body along a predetermined path of travel and within the aperture and the passage defined by the flexible arms. The locking pin has a predriven position and an extended driven position. A resilient lock is provided in conjunction with the fastener body and resiliently extends into the predetermined path of travel of the pin, when said locking or drive pin is in the predriven position, thereby inhibiting movement of said locking pin toward said driven position. The lock remains in position to inhibit inadvertent linear shifting of the driving pin until the flexible arms are inserted through an opening in an article with which the fastener is arranged in operable association. When the flexible arms of the fastener are passed through the opening in the article, the lock is automatically deflected and removed from the path of travel of and permits the locking pin to be moved toward the driven position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to fasteners insertable into an opening in an article and, more particularly, to a fastener having a body including a base and a flexible elongated portion which is insertable through the opening in the article, with a drive pin of the fastener being movable into operable association with the flexible elongated portion to maintain the fastener in fixed relation relative to the article.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Fasteners are typically utilized to secure two articles together, such as two panels or the like, and include a body and a drive pin. The body of the fastener includes a base and an elongated portion which is insertable through an opening in the article to be secured. The elongated portion of the fastener typically includes flexible arms which extend from the body and define a passage therebetween. After the arms of the elongated portion of the fastener are inserted through the openings in the article to be secured, the drive pin is moved through the passage and between the arms to a driven position wherein the elongated portion of the fastener is expanded and cannot collapse upon itself even if a removal force is applied to the drive pin. As will be appreciated, the expansion of the elongated portion of the fastener opposes removal of the fastener from the holes and thereby secures the panels to each other. Of course, it is desirable to secure the drive pin in a driven position under a relative high retention force.  
           [0003]    The drive pins for such fasteners have been known to be predriven into the fastener body and to be frictionally retained therein prior to installation of the fastener into the opening in the article. During shipping and handling of the fasteners, however, the drive pins either become separated from the body of the fastener or inadvertently move to a driven position whereat the drive pin is moved between the flexible arms on the elongated portion of the fastener. As will be appreciated, neither separation of the drive pin from the fastener body nor inadvertent movement of the drive pin to the driven position is acceptable. Moreover, and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, low pin insertion forces, such as less than ten pounds, are advantageous for ergonomic reasons. Accordingly, simply increasing the holding force between the drive pin and the body of the fastener to overcome separation therebetween or inadvertent movement of the drive pin is also unacceptable because of the attendant increase in the pin insertion force required to move the pin from the predriven position to a driven position.  
           [0004]    Prior art fasteners which require a twisting motion during installation are ergonomically unsound. Moreover, threaded fasteners require expensive and sometimes hazardous installation tools.  
           [0005]    Thus, there is a need and continuing desire for a fastener wherein the drive pin is maintained in a predriven position while maintaining a relative low pin insertion force for the drive pin and while concurrently imparting a relative high retention force on the drive pin after the drive pin is moved to a driven position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In view of the above, and in accordance with the present invention there is provided a fastener including a body and drive or locking pin. The fastener body includes an apertured base and conjoined flexible arms extending from the base and defining a passage therebetween. At a proximal end thereof, the conjoined arms define an outer surface of a predetermined size. The drive or locking pin defines a longitudinal axis and is arranged for movement relative to said body along a predetermined path of travel and within the aperture and the passage defined by the flexible arms. The locking pin has a predriven position and a driven position. In the driven position a lengthwise portion of the pin extends into the passage between the flexible arms to limit movement of the arms inwardly toward the axis of the drive pin. In a preferred embodiment, the drive or locking pin and the body of the fastener are initially formed as a single piece of molded plastic or the like.  
           [0007]    A salient feature of the present invention relates to the provision of a resilient lock provided on the fastener body. When the drive pin is in the predriven position, the lock projects into the predetermined path of travel of the pin thereby inhibiting movement of the locking pin toward said driven position. The lock remains in position to inhibit inadvertent linear shifting of the driving pin until the fastener is inserted through an opening in the article with which the fastener is arranged in operable association. In response to the flexible arms of the fastener passing through the opening in the article, the lock to automatically and resiliently deflected from the path of travel of and permits the locking pin to move toward the driven position.  
           [0008]    The opening in the fastener body through which the fastener traverses is preferably configured to generally correspond to the cross-section of the drive pin. As such, the drive pin is inhibited from twisting or rotating about its axis and relative to the fastener body as the drive pin is pushed between predriven and driven positions.  
           [0009]    In one form, the lock for releasably maintaining the drive pin in a predriven position relative to the fastener body includes a resilient free ended arm connected at one end to the fastener body and extending toward the fastener body base. The drive or locking pin is configured, toward a lower end thereof, with a channel or recess for accommodating the deflected free ended arm to an extent allowing the locking pin to move past the lock and move to the driven position. Preferably, the free end of the lock or arm is configured to promote movement of said locking pin therepast and toward the driven position after the resilient lock is deflected.  
           [0010]    In a preferred form, the fastener is configured such that the drive or locking pin is maintained in the driven position with a relatively high retention force. Preferably, the locking pin is provided with a stop linearly spaced from that end of the locking pin inserted into the aperture in the base of the fastener body. Moreover, the resilient arm on the lock is configured with a tab or projection which engages the stop on said locking pin, after the locking pin moves to the driven position, to retain the locking pin in the driven position with a relatively high retention force.  
           [0011]    Preferably, the fastener is configured such that the predriven pin is inhibited from being inadvertently or otherwise pulled from the fastener body during shipping or handling of the fastener. In one form, the locking pin includes a predrive retention protrusion extending from the locking pin and engagable with predrive retention structure on the fastener body base to retain the locking pin in the predriven position and to inhibit the predriven locking pin from being inadvertently pulled or otherwise separated from the fastener body during shipping or handling.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which is adapted to be arranged in operable combination with an article defining an opening through which at least a portion of said fastener extends, and wherein a relatively low insertion force is required for installation.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which is adapted to be arranged in operable combination with an article defining an opening through which at least a portion of said fastener extends, and wherein a relatively low insertion force is required to move a drive pin into operable association with an elongated flexible portion of the fastener.  
           [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener with high retention forces subsequent to installation.  
           [0015]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fastener which inhibits inadvertent shifting of a drive pin from a predriven position to a driven position during shipping and handling of the fastener.  
           [0016]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fastener in which a driven pin is retained within the body of the fastener with a relatively high retention force.  
           [0017]    A further object of the present invention is provide a fastener in which a predriven pin is inhibited from inadvertently being pulled or otherwise separated from the body of the fastener with a relatively high retention force.  
           [0018]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which eliminates any twisting or turning movements required for installation.  
           [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which has relatively low manufacturing costs.  
           [0020]    These and other aims, objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated and more fully understood from the following detailed description, detail drawings, and the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is an enlarged elevational view showing a fastener according to the present invention, with a drive pin of the fastener in a predriven state or condition and prior to insertion within apertured panels;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the fastener illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is an enlarged partially sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 2;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 3;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectioned view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the fastener after being inserted within the apertured panels;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectioned view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the fastener after being inserted within the apertured panels;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the fastener after being inserted within the apertured panels and having the drive pin moved top a driven position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary partially sectioned view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the drive pin for the fastener moved to a driven position;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a lock forming part of the fastener of the present invention; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a frangible portion of the fastener in that embodiment wherein a fastener body and drive pin are integrally molded as a one-piece product. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding the present disclosure is to be considered as setting forth an exemplification of the invention which is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated and described.  
         [0034]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a fastener, generally identified by reference numeral  10 , which embodies principals of the present invention. Fastener  10  includes a body  12  which defines an elongated axis  14  and includes a base  16  having a double tapered elongated portion  18  extending from one side or surface of base  16  and a locking or drive pin  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, fastener  10  is arranged in operable combination with and serves to secure two members, such as panels or articles  22  and  24 . More specifically, the elongated portion  18  of fastener  10  is insertable into and through aligned holes, apertures or slots  26  and  28  provided in panels  22  and  24 , respectively, until side or surface  19  abuts one of the panels  22 ,  24 .  
         [0035]    The base  16  and elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  are preferably integrally molded to each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, base  18  of fastener body  12  defines an aperture or opening  30  which opens at opposite end thereof and which accommodates and guides the drive pin  20  along a predetermined path of travel.  
         [0036]    The elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  has a closed tapered nose  32  to facilitate insertion of the elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  into holes or openings  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , respectively. At its widest point, the elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  has a configuration which exceeds the size of the holes or openings  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , respectively. The elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  defines a blind slot or passage  34  arranged in general axial alignment with the aperture or opening  30  defined in the base  16  of the fastener body  12 . Notably, the blind slot or passage  34  does not extend through the closed nose  32  of the elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12 .  
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, the elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  includes two diametrically opposed flexible conjoined arms  36  and  38  which define the passage or slot  34  therebetween. Notably, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, proximal ends  39  of the arms  36 ,  38 , where they join to the base  16 , define an outer surface  40  of a predetermined size. Preferably, the predetermined size of the outer surface  40  defined by the proximal ends of flexible arms  36 ,  38  is generally equal to the size of the openings  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 .  
         [0038]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conjoined arms  36  and  38  define angled or tapered portions  42  and  44 , respectively, which splay outwardly slightly from the axis  14 . As will be appreciated, the combined or widest distance across the outer surfaces of the tapered portions  42 ,  44  is greater than the openings  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal ends of the outwardly tapered portions  42 ,  44  of the conjoined and flexible arms  36  and  38  are connected to inwardly tapered portions  46 ,  48 , respectively, which slant toward axis  14  and are joined at the pointed nose or tip  32  of the elongated portion of fastener body  12 .  
         [0039]    The drive or locking pin  20  is arranged for movement relative to the fastener body  12  along a predetermined path of travel and within the aperture or opening  30  defined by the base  16  of fastener body  12  and within the passage  34  defined by the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drive pin  20  has a head portion  50  integrally molded to an elongated shank portion  52  defining an axis  54  which is generally aligned with the axis  14  of fastener body  12 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and for a major portion of the length thereof, the cross-section of the shank portion  52  of drive pin  20  corresponds to the cross-section of the opening  30  in the base  16  of the fastener body  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shank portion  52  of the drive pin  20  has a generally rectangular cross-section with laterally spaced, generally planar and parallel sides  56  and  58  disposed on opposed sides of axis  54 .  
         [0040]    Preferably, the shank portion  52  of locking pin  20  further defines alignment wings  60  and  62  extending in opposed directions relative to each other and away from axis  54  of pin  20 . As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the base  16  of and the opening or aperture  30  defined by the fastener body  12  combine to provide mating surfaces  70  and  72  which serve to guide the alignment wings  60  and  62 , respectively, and thereby the drive pin  20  along its predetermined path of travel as the drive pin  20  traverses between the predriven position, wherein a lengthwise portion of the drive pin  20  is inserted into the opening  30  in the fastener body  12  (FIGS. 1 and 2), and a driven position, wherein the a major lengthwise portion of the drive pin  20  is accommodated within the passage  34  defined by the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12  (FIGS. 9 and 10). As will be appreciated, the alignment wings  60 ,  62  on shank portion  52  of locking pin  20  and the mating surfaces  70 ,  72  on the fastener body base  16  also cooperate relative to each other to inhibit twisting or turning movements of the shank portion  52  of locking pin  20  and pin  20  moves between the predriven position and driven position.  
         [0041]    As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and  4 , the shank portion  52  of drive pin  20  is provided, toward that end opposite from the head or cap portion  50 , with an engagement member or projection  74  which linearly extends from that end of the shank portion  52  inserted into the opening  30  in the fastener body  12  and toward the head or cap portion  52  of the drive pin  20 . Notably, an as illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6, an open sided recess or channel  76  is provided between the engagement member or projection  74  and the axis  54  of the shank portion  52  of drive pin  20 .  
         [0042]    A salient feature of the present invention relates to the provision of a resilient or flexible lock  80  on the fastener body  12  for restricting the drive pin  20  from being overdriven (during predrive or in a shipping condition) until the fastener  10  is installed or inserted within the panels  22 ,  24 . That is, prior to installation of the fastener  10  into operable association with the panels  22 , 24  (FIG. 1), at least a portion of the resilient lock  80  extends into the predetermined path of travel of the drive pin  20  thereby restricting movement of the drive pin  20  from the predriven position to the driven position.  
         [0043]    The lock  80  for fastener  10  is preferably disposed between the flexible arms  36 , 38  of the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, lock  80  includes a free ended arm  82  which is connected toward one end to one of the flexible arms  36 ,  38  of the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12 . Preferably, arm  82  has a cantilevered design wherein the arm  82  is flexibly connected toward one end to the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12  to allow for flexing movement of the free end of the arm  82  toward and away from axis  14  of the fastener body  12 . Notably, the connection of arm  82  to the fastener body  18  is such that arm  82  has a natural tendency to automatically return or spring outwardly to the position illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and  6  after being inwardly deflected. From its connection location with the elongated portion  18 , arm  82  extends toward the fastener body base  16 .  
         [0044]    As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and  6 , an engagement projection  84  arranged toward the free end of the arm  82  extends into the path of travel of the engagement projection  74  on the shank portion  52  of the drive pin  20  when the drive pin  20  is in a predriven condition or position and the elongated portion  18  of fastener  10  is not yet fully inserted through the openings  26 ,  28  and into operable association with the panels  22 ,  24 . As such, the drive pin  20  in restricted from moving past the lock  80  from the predriven position to the driven position.  
         [0045]    Another salient feature of the present invention relates to the provision of a lock  80  for restricting the drive pin  20  of the fastener  10  from being overdriven (during predrive or in a shipping condition), and wherein the lock  80  is automatically and timely removed from restricting movement of fastener drive pin  20  from the predriven condition in response to insertion of the elongated portion  18  of the fastener  10  being inserted into operable association with the panels  22 ,  24 .  
         [0046]    As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and  6 , the lock  80  is configured such that a portion thereof projects radially outward away from the axis  14  of the fastener body  12  and beyond the predetermined size of the outer surface  40  defined toward the proximal end of the flexible arms  34 ,  36  of the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lock arm  82  is configured with a camming surface  86  for automatically and timely removing the lock  80  from restricting the fastener drive pin  20  from moving from the predriven condition in response to insertion of the elongated portion  18  of the fastener  10  being inserted into operable association with the panels  22 ,  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the camming surface  86  extends along a lengthwise portion of the flexible arm  82  disposed for engagement with the openings  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , respectively.  
         [0047]    Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, and as the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12  is inserted through the openings or holes  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , respectively, the camming surface  86  on the lock arm  82  engages with the margin or edges of the openings or holes  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , respectively, thus, causing the lock arm  82  to resiliently deflect. In the illustrated embodiment, and after the elongated portion  18  is operably inserted within the apertures or openings  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , the arm  82  is resiliently deflected to such an extent that the free end of arm  82  is substantially within the predetermined size of the outer surface  40  of the flexible arms  36 ,  38  of the elongated portion  18  of the fastener body  12 . As will be appreciated from an understanding of the present invention, the deflection of arm  82  effectively removes the lock  80  from the predetermined path of travel or movement of the drive pin  20 .  
         [0048]    With the illustrated embodiment, resilient deflection of the arm  82  effectively removes the engagement projection  84  on the lock  80  from the path of travel of the engagement projection  74  on the drive pin  20  and into operable alignment with the passage or channel  76  on the drive pin  20 . As will be appreciated, after the engagement projection  84  on lock  80  is removed from the path of the travel of the engagement projection  74  on the drive pin  20  and into general alignment with the channel or passage  76 , the locking relationship between drive pin  20  and lock  80  is operably released and the engagement projection  84  is permitted to traverse through channel  74  as drive pin  20  moves from the predriven position to the driven position.  
         [0049]    In a preferred embodiment, the drive pin  20  is positively retained in the driven position by a stop  90 . As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 9 and  10 , stop  90  includes a projection  92  provided on the shank portion  52  of drive pin  20  in linearly spaced relation from the engagement projection  74  and in linearly spaced relation from that end of the drive pin  20  inserted into the aperture or opening  30  in the base  16  of the fastener body  12 . As shown in FIG. 10, an open sided recess or channel  96  is provided between the projection  92  and the axis  54  of the drive pin shank portion  52  to allow for sliding movement of the free end or engagement projection  84  on the free end of locking arm  82  past stop  90  as the drive or locking pin  20  moves from the predriven position to the driven position.  
         [0050]    As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, after the drive or locking pin  20  is moved to the driven position, the lock  80  restricts movement of the stop  90  on the drive pin  20  therepast. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the engagement projection  84  on the free end of the locking arm  82  is disposed to inhibit retracted movement of the stop  90  and, thus, the driving pin  20 , from the driven position toward the predriven position thereby maintaining the fastener  10  in operable fastened engagement with the panels  22 ,  24 .  
         [0051]    As shown in FIG. 10, the projection  92  on the stop  90  is provided with a chamfered or cam surface  94  for promoting movement of the free end of the lock  80  therepast as the drive or locking pin  20  is moved from the predriven position to the driven position. As illustrated, the chamfer or cam surface  94  is provided along that edge of the projection  92  disposed closest to the free end of pin  20  and adjacent to the channel  96 . As such, and as pin  20  moves from the predriven position toward the driven position, cam  94  engages the free end of the locking arm  82  thereby resiliently deflecting locking arm  82  toward and into the channel  96  to promote movement of the stop  90  and, thus, the pin  20  therepast.  
         [0052]    As illustrated in FIG. 11, the free end of locking arm  82  is configured to with a camming surface  98 . As will be appreciated, the purpose of the camming surface  98  is to facilitate movement of the drive or locking pin  20  past the lock  80  when the lock  80  is released from engagement with the drive pin  20  and is moved between predriven and driven positions.  
         [0053]    Preferably, fastener  10  is furthermore configured to inhibit the drive or locking pin  20  from dislodging from the fastener body  12  after the pin  20  is in a predriven condition or position. Returning to FIGS. 3 through 5, shank portion  52  of pin  20  is provided with a projection  100  linearly spaced from that end of the pin  20  which is insertable into the opening or aperture  30  in the base  16  of the fastener body  12 . As shown in FIG. 3, projection  100  is preferably formed on a side of the alignment wing  60  opposite from side  56  of pin  20  and projects away from the axis  54  of the pin  20 . As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pin retention tab  102  is defined on the base  16  of the fastener body  12  for operable engagement with the projection  100  on the drive pin  20 . The projection  100  and pin retention tab  102  define chamfered sections  104  and  106 , respectively, for facilitating sliding linear movement of the drive or locking pin  20  toward a predriven position. As shown in FIG. 5, the projection  100  on the drive or locking pin  20  defines a surface  108  which is configured to engage and abut against a confronting surface  110  defined on the pin retention tab  102  in a manner resisting subsequent withdrawal of the locking or drive pin  20  from the predriven condition or position.  
         [0054]    The fastener body  12  and drive pin  20  can be molded separately if so required by design constraints. Preferably, however, the fastener body  12  and drive pin  20  are integrally molded as one piece. If molded as one piece, and as schematically illustrated in FIG. 12, the fastener body  12  and drive pin  20  are interconnected by interstices, gates or other forms of a frangible portion  120 . Preferably, the gates or interstices  120  connect that portion of the fastener body  12  arranged about the opening or aperture  30  in base  16  with a distal end of the drive pin  20 . Preferably, the fastener body  12  and drive pin  20  are molded from plastic, but the particular material can vary.  
         [0055]    To use fastener  10 , the installer typically either receives fastener  10  in the predriven state or predrives fastener  10  by inserting the locking pin  20  into the aperture  30  of the fastener body  12  with sufficient effort so that the frangible portion  120  breaks and the drive pin  20  is moved to the predriven position where the lock  80  limits further movement of pin  20  toward a driven position. Moreover, and after pin  20  is moved to a predriven condition or state, the projection  100  on the shank portion  52  of pin  20  and the pin retention tab  102 , defined on the fastener body base  16 , combine to inhibit the drive or locking pin  20  from dislodging from the fastener body  12 .  
         [0056]    The installer then pushes the pointed nose  32  of the double tapered elongated portion  18  of fastener  10  through the openings, slots, or holes  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , respectively. As long as the drive or locking pin  20  is in a predriven position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot or passage  34  in the elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  to deflect inward toward axis  14  thereby promoting insertion of the elongated portion  18  through the holes or slots  26 ,  28  in the panels  22 ,  24 , respectively. As will be appreciated from an understanding of the present invention, and until the elongated portion  18  of fastener  10  is arranged in operable association with the panels  22 ,  24 , the lock  80  maintains the drive or locking pin  20  in the predriven state or condition thereby promoting collapse of the elongated portion  18 , thus, promoting insertion of the fastener  10  into operable association with the panels  22 ,  24 .  
         [0057]    Once the elongated portion  18  of fastener body  12  is inserted through the holes or slots  26 ,  28  and into operable relation with panels  22 ,  24 , respectively, the lock  80  is automatically removed from restricting travel of the drive or locking pin  20  between the predriven and driven positions. Accordingly, the pin  20  is movable from the predriven position to the driven state or position, illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, whereby the pin  20  fills the passage  34  and inhibits the inward or collapsing movement of the elongated body  18  of the fastener  10 . The cross-sections of the elongated body  18  and shank portion  52  of pin  20  are such that aq substantially solid member is formed when pin  20  is fully inserted into the fastener body  12 . The arms  38  and  40  are thereby prevented from collapsing, thus, opposing extraction of the fastener  10  from the panels  22 ,  24 . Afer being moved to the driven position, the stop  90  combines with the lock  80  to prevent the fastener  10  from vibrating loose.  
         [0058]    As will be appreciated from above, the fastener  10  of the present invention has many applications. In addition to being used as a fastener as described above, it can be used in routing clips, brackets, hole plugs, and decorative or functional covers. The high retention force makes the apparatus of the present invention an ideal replacement for threaded covers.  
         [0059]    From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing or detracting from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is intended to set forth an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modification and colorful variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.