Patent Publication Number: US-2005123372-A1

Title: Fastener

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to an improvement in an industrial fastener referred also to as a resin rivet or a push rivet, and more particularly, to a fastener structure which allows very easy engagement/coupling of two parts in sheet form, for example, irrespective of their material.  
     BACKGROUND ART  
      Various kinds of products have hitherto been proposed as this type of fastener. However, many are accompanied by difficulty when being removed by releasing their engagement/coupling, even though their engagement/coupling is possible by, for example, a single push or strike action. While it is, of course, necessary for fasteners to provide high impact and vibration resistances without getting loosened by receiving impact or vibration when they are used for, for example, fixing a circuit board for an electrical appliance, an OA machine or instrument, etc. or attaching an internal decoration material for an automobile, very easy releasing of the engagement/coupling state forms an important factor when recycling specific parts recovered from used products during their disassembly, for example, in terms of a speedup of disassembling job and an improvement in recycling efficiency. The present invention has been made to cope with such requirements.  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
      In order to attain the above object, the present invention provides particularly a fastener structure which allows engagement/coupling by a single push or strike action, and further not only provides high impact and vibration resistances, but also possibility of very easy removal by substantially a single push or strike action when it is removed again after making engagement/coupling once.  
      The invention as set forth in claim  1  is directed to a fastener made of a resin and comprising a sleeve having at its distal end an expanding portion and at another end a seating flange portion, and a plug inserted in the sleeve and having at its distal end a tapered portion for expanding the expanding portion and at another end a head portion, characterized in that in the unexpanded state of the expanding portion, an inner peripheral surface of the sleeve and an outer peripheral surface of the plug are fit with each other by concavo-convex engagement so as to prevent mutual separation of the sleeve and the plug, whereas the plug has a stop stepped portion engaging with a distal end face of the sleeve when being arranged through the sleeve, thereby providing anti-disengagement between the sleeve and the plug, and that when the expanding portion is expanded by a predetermined amount, while releasing the concavo-convex engagement, in accordance with pressing of the plug to the sleeve after inserting the sleeve into a prepared hole of a counterpart stationary component, the inner peripheral surface of the expanding portion and the outer peripheral surface of the plug are put into concavo-convex engagement again to obtain a restraint feel due to the engagement.  
      When the counterpart stationary component has a specific thickness, it is desirable in terms of sure achievement of the engagement/coupling, as set forth in claim  2 , that the sleeve has a stop stepped portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the expanding portion and engaging in its expanded state with an opening edge of the prepared hole in a underside of the counterpart stationary component.  
      When the plug is hollow, as set forth in claim  3 , the fastener after being engaged/coupled can be used as a wire path sleeve.  
      According to the invention as set forth in any of claims  1  to  3 , therefore, when the fastener is used for, for example, fixing a circuit board for an electrical appliance or any of various kinds of electronic machines and instruments, or attaching an internal decoration material for an automobile, the sleeve in concavo-convex engagement with the plug is inserted in advance into the prepared hole of the counterpart stationary component, then a single push or strike action is given to the plug to press it into the sleeve. With this, the expanding portion of the sleeve is expanded while releasing the previous concavo-convex engagement, and at the same time, the inner peripheral surface of the expanding portion and the outer peripheral surface of the plug are put into concavo-convex engagement again to make relative positioning. Thus, even when undergoing vibration, etc. after their execution, any loosening is hardly caused between the expanding portion and the plug, allowing the engagement/coupling to be maintained for a long period of time.  
      The sleeve and plug forming the fastener are in anti-disengagement by not only the concavo-convex engagement, but also the involvement between the stop stepped portion of the plug and the distal end face of the sleeve even when the expanding portion is in the unexpanded state. Thus, the components will not separate from each other, providing excellent handling capability.  
      On the other hand, owing to high self-restorability as a characteristic of a resin-made fastener, in order to release the fastener from the engagement/coupling state at the time of repairing or recycling, the plug is pressed therein by a push action or a striking force in the opposite direction to that upon expansion, achieving releasing of the expansion of the sleeve, allowing easy pulling-away of the fastener itself. In this case as well, owing to the above anti-disengagement effect, without the sleeve and plug from being separated from each other, the fastener can be pulled away from the counterpart stationary component with the sleeve and plug as a unit.  
      That is, according to the invention as set forth in any of claims  1  to  3 , upon expansion of the expanding portion, a restraint feel is obtained due to concavo-convex engagement between the sleeve and the plug. Thus, it provides not only excellent vibration and impact resistances without producing loosening between the two after execution, but also possible cancellation of dispersion of the condition of execution resulting from individual difference. Moreover, owing to self-restorability of the resin itself, releasing of the engagement/fixing state is very easy to carry out.  
      Moreover, since releasing of the engagement/fixing state is made by a single push or strike action of the plug, a speedup of the work can be achieved, thereby obtaining a drastic improvement in efficiency of disassembling the counterpart component and recovering specific parts therefrom for recycling purposes. And, since the sleeve and plug are in anti-disengagement and are not separated from each other, the handling capability is improved as well. Particularly, since the stop stepped portion performing anti-disengagement of the plug from the sleeve protrudes from the sleeve, releasing operation of the engagement/fixing state can easily be carried out by merely giving a striking force to that portion, providing excellent handling capability.  
      The invention as set forth in claim  4  is directed to a fastener comprising a sleeve having an expanding portion, a plug inserted in the sleeve and having a tapered portion for expanding the expanding portion, and a screw member screwed in the plug, wherein at least the sleeve and the plug are formed of a resin, characterized in that the plug also has an expanding portion, that, in the unexpanded state of the expanding portion, an inner peripheral surface of the sleeve and an outer peripheral surface of the plug are fit with each other by concavo-convex engagement so as to prevent mutual separation of the sleeve and the plug, that when the expanding portion is expanded by a predetermined amount, while releasing the concavo-convex engagement, in accordance with pressing of the plug to the sleeve after inserting the sleeve into a prepared hole of a counterpart stationary component, the inner peripheral surface of the expanding portion and the outer peripheral surface of the plug are put into concavo-convex engagement again to obtain a restraint feel due to the engagement, and that when screwing the screw member into the plug, the expanding portion of the plug expands with the expanding portion of the sleeve while maintaining the concavo-convex engagement.  
      In this case, as set forth in claim  5 , it is preferable, in terms of possibility of a single push or strike action at the time of removal, that when the expanding portion of the sleeve is expanded by a predetermined amount, while releasing the concavo-convex engagement, in accordance with pressing of the plug to the sleeve, a distal end of the expanding portion of the plug protrudes from a distal end of the expanding portion of the sleeve.  
      Therefore, the invention as set forth in claim  4  or  5  is basically identical to that as set forth in claim  1  in relative positional relationship between the sleeve and the plug which constitute fastener, wherein by expanding the sleeve by push action of the plug, the sleeve, together with the plug, is fixed as an anchor member to its counterpart component. Then, while being inserted into another component to be engaged/fixed to the counterpart component, the screw member is screwed into the plug, thereby achieving engagement/fixing of the two components together.  
      That is, according to the invention as set forth in claim  4  or  5 , the component elements of the sleeve and plug as well as the screw member having the two as an anchor member are used, wherein the relationship between the sleeve and the plug is basically identical to that described in claim  1 . Thus, it provides not only excellent impact and vibration resistances, but also the advantage that releasing of the engagement/coupling state can also be made by a single action on the precondition that the screw member is pulled away first.  
      The invention as set forth in claim  6  is directed to a resin fastener comprising a plurality of fastener elements each having an expanding anchor portion and a head portion formed integrally with each other and a plug disposed in the middle of an arrangement of the fastener elements and having at its distal end a tapered portion for expanding the expanding anchor portions, wherein the fastener elements and the plug are formed integrally with each other to provide their continuous connection at another end of the plug, characterized in that in the state that the expanding anchor portions are contracted and inserted together with the plug into a prepared hole of a counterpart stationary component, an inner peripheral surface of each expanding anchor portion and an outer peripheral surface of the plug are fit with each other by concavo-convex engagement, and that when the expanding anchor portions are expanded by a predetermined amount, while releasing the concavo-convex engagement, in accordance with pressing of the plug to the expanding anchor portions, inner peripheral surfaces of the expanding anchor portions and an outer peripheral surface of the plug are put into concavo-convex engagement again, preventing any relative movement between the two and obtaining a restraint feel due to the concavo-convex engagement.  
      In this case, when the counterpart component has a specific thickness, it is desirable, as set forth in claim  7 , that each expanding anchor portion has a stop stepped portion formed at its distal end and engaging in its expanded state with an opening edge of the prepared hole in a underside of a counterpart stationary component.  
      On the other hand, when the counterpart component has a unspecific thickness, it is desirable, as set forth in claim  8 , that each expanding anchor portion has a plurality of latch pawls formed along the axial direction of the prepared hole, wherein, in the expanded state of the expanding anchor portion, one of the latch pawls of each expanding anchor portion engages with an opening edge of the prepared hole in a underside of a counterpart stationary component.  
      Moreover, for the same reason as that described in connection with claim  5 , it is desirable, as set forth in claim  9 , that when the inner peripheral surfaces of the expanding anchor portions and the outer peripheral surface of the plug are put into concavo-convex engagement again in accordance with expansion of the expanding anchor portions, a distal end of the plug protrudes from distal ends of the expanding anchor portions  
      Moreover, for achieving a reduction in size of the fastener and a space saving, it is desirable, as set forth in claim  10 , the fastener elements of small width are disposed to be opposite to each other across the plug when viewed in top plan.  
      Additionally, when serving the fastener itself as an anchor portion for a binding belt for various kinds of wires, for example, the binding belt may be formed integrally with another end of the plug as set forth in claim  11 .  
      Therefore, according to the invention as set forth in any of claims  6  to  9 , while having basically the same function as that described in claim  1 , the most important feature lies in that the fastener elements and plug are integrally formed in advance to provide an inseparable unitary relationship, resulting in a drastic improvement in handling capability thereof.  
      That is, according to the invention as set forth in any of claims  6  to  8 , since the fastener elements and plug having basically the same function as those described in claim  1  are integrally formed in advance, providing excellent impact and vibration resistances and possible releasing of the engagement/fixing state by a single action. Moreover, the fastener elements and plug will not separate from each other under any condition, having the advantage of excellent handling capability. Particularly, when the plug protrudes from the expanding anchor portions in the expanded state of the expanding anchor portion as set forth in claim  9 , the operability is further improved when releasing operation of the engagement/fixing state by a single action.  
      The invention as set forth in claim  10  or  11  aims to achieve substantially flattening of the fastener elements, thus having the advantage of not only providing excellent impact and vibration resistances and possible releasing of the engagement/fixing state by a single action, but also possibility of achieving, particularly, a reduction in size and a space saving. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a view showing a first mode for carrying out the present invention, in which (A) is a top plan view of a fastener, (B) is a front elevational view of the fastener and (C) is a bottom plan view of the fastener.  
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view explaining the fastener shown at (B) in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view explaining the engagement/fixing state made by the fastener of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view explaining the engagement/fixing state made by a fastener as a second mode for carrying out the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view explaining the states before and after engagement made by a fastener as a third mode for carrying out the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view explaining the states before and after engagement made by a fastener as a fourth mode for carrying out the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view explaining the engagement/fixing made by a fastener as a fifth mode for carrying out the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a view explaining the relationship between a sleeve and a plug in  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 9  is a view showing details of the sleeve in  FIG. 8 , in which (A) is a top plan view thereof, (B) is a front elevational view thereof and (C) is a bottom plan view thereof.  
       FIG. 10  is a view showing details of the plug in  FIG. 8 , in which (A) is a top plan view thereof, (B) is a front elevational view thereof and (C) is a bottom plan view thereof.  
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view explaining the state of the sleeve inserted in a counterpart stationary component.  
       FIG. 12  is a sectional view explaining the engagement/coupling state made by the expansion of the sleeve.  
       FIG. 13  is a view showing a sixth mode for carrying out the present invention, in which (A) is a top plan view of a fastener, (B) is a front elevational view thereof and (C) is a bottom plan view thereof.  
       FIG. 14  is a right side elevational view of (B) in  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along the line d-d of (B) in  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view taken along the line e-e of  FIG. 14 .  
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along the line f-f of  FIG. 16 .  
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view explaining the state of an initial stage of insertion of the fastener of  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view explaining the state of an intermediate stage of insertion of the fastener of  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 20  is a sectional view explaining the state of another intermediate stage of insertion of the fastener of  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 21  is a view showing the state of completion of engagement of the fastener of  FIG. 13 , in which (A) is a top plan view thereof, (B) is an explanatory sectional view thereof and (C) is a bottom plan view thereof.  
       FIG. 22  is a sectional view explaining the state of an initial stage of insertion of a fastener as a seventh mode for carrying out the present invention.  
       FIG. 23  is a sectional view explaining the state of completion of engagement of the fastener of  FIG. 22 .  
       FIG. 24  is a developed view explaining a binding belt integrated with a fastener as an eighth mode for carrying out the present invention.  
       FIG. 25  is a view explaining the service state of the fastener of  FIG. 24 . 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
      FIGS.  1  to  3  are views showing a preferred form of a fastener according to the present invention, in which (A), (B) and (C) of  FIG. 1  are top plan, front elevational and bottom plan views, respectively, of the fastener in the single unit sate,  FIG. 2  is an overall sectional view of the sleeve shown at (B) in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  is an overall sectional view of the fastener in its fastening state. Note that  FIG. 3  is a synthesized view showing the right and left half portions in different states, wherein the right half portion shows a case when counterpart components to be fastened together have a large thickness, whereas the left half portion shows a case when counterpart components to be fastened together have a small thickness.  
      The fastener  1  is formed by a hollow cylindrical sleeve  3  having a circular seating flange portion  2  and a plug  5  press fitted in the sleeve  3  and having a circular head portion  4  and shaped substantially like a stepped shank or mushroom, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The two are both formed from a thermoplastic resin, such as nylon.  
      The sleeve  3  is divided like a collet toward its distal end with four radial slots  6  having about a half of its length, thereby defining a radially expansible expanding portion  7 . The inner peripheral surface of the sleeve  3  in its upper portion is a simple cylindrical surface, whereas the inner peripheral surface of the expanding portion  7  in its distal end portion is shaped like a tapered hole having a gradually decreasing diameter toward its distal end via a tapered surface  8   a  connecting with its general inner peripheral surface and an arcuate surface connecting therewith, as shown, and having a smoothly and gradually increasing diameter from its minimum diameter portion to its distal end, thereby defining substantially an annular protrusion  8 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . A stepped recess  89  is formed at the distal end of the expanding portion  7 .  
      On the other hand, the plug  5  has a shank  9  having a length larger than the entire length of the sleeve  3  and the shank  9  has two vertically spaced apart neck portions  10  and  11  formed like annular grooves on its distal end portion. As is obvious from  FIG. 2 , the lower neck portion  11  is complementary in shape to the annular protrusion  8  on the inner periphery of the expanding portion  7  yet to be expanded, and as is obvious from  FIG. 3 , the upper neck portion  10  is complementary in shape to the annular protrusion  8  on the inner periphery of the expanding portion  7  as expanded.  
      Moreover, a flange portion  12  is formed at the distal end of the shank  9  as a stop stepped portion having a larger diameter than the stepped recess  89  on the sleeve  3  and engages the distal end face of the expanding portion  7  of the sleeve  3  beyond the stepped recess  89  when the expanding portion  7  is yet to be expanded. When the plug  5  is combined with the sleeve  3  by press fitting, the flange portion  12  at the end of the shank  9  of the plug  5  projects beyond the annular protrusion  8  of the sleeve  3  side and the annular protrusion  8  makes concavo-convex engagement with the neck portion  11  of the plug  5 , while the flange portion  12  engages the distal end face of the expanding portion  7 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , whereby the detachment of the plug  5  from the sleeve  3  can be prevented effectively, so that no separation of the sleeve  3  and plug  5  from each other may occur when the fastener  1  remains as a unit yet to be applied.  
      Referring to a method of applying the fastener  1  constructed as described, the sleeve  3  of the fastener  1  is inserted through a hole  15  formed in counterpart components  13  or  14  to be fastened together and fixed until the expanding portion  7  of the sleeve  3  may protrude by a predetermined amount from the rear surface of the counterpart stationary components  13  or  14  and the seating flange portion  2  of the sleeve  3  rests on the counterpart stationary components  13  or  14 , and the plug  5  is pressed or hit in through the sleeve  3  until the distal end portion of the plug  5  protrudes from the end of the expanding portion  7  of the sleeve  3  so that the seating flange portion  2  of the sleeve  3  and the head portion  4  of the plug  5  side may lie on each other, as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      As the plug  5  is hit in, the expanding portion  7  is expanded gradually from below like a skirt, while the concavo-convex engagement between the neck portion  11  of the plug  5  and the annular protrusion  8  of the sleeve  3  is released, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Upon expansion of the expanding portion  7 , the annular protrusion  8  makes concavo-convex engagement with the upper neck portion  10  of the plug  5  and a restraint feel of their concavo-convex engagement is obtained to confirm the expansion of the expanding portion  7  to a predetermined extent, whereby the counterpart component  13  or  14  is compressed between the expanding portion  7  and the seating flange portion  2  of the sleeve  3  or the head portion  4  of the plug  5  and are thereby fastened and fixed rigidly. This is irrespective of the thickness of the counterpart stationary components  13  or  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . At the same time, the effect of preventing loosening between the sleeve  3  and the plug  5  as applied (after expansion) is exhibited to provide satisfactory resistance to impact, vibration, etc., since the concavo-convex engagement between the sleeve  3  and the plug  5  as described makes their positioning. relative to each other.  
      When, on the other hand, it is desirable to release the engagement/coupling by the fastener  1  after its execution, a striking force is, for example, given to the flange portion  12  of the plug  5  to hit the plug  5  in the opposite direction to that of its execution and thereby release the expanding portion  7  from expansion and the plug  5 , as well as the sleeve  3 , is pulled out from the hole  15 . When the flange portion  12  of the plug  5  has contacted the distal end face of the expanding portion  7  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), their relative movement is prevented and the sleeve  3  and the plug  5  can be pulled out from the hole  15  as a unitary assembly without being separated from each other.  
      It is an advantage of the fastener  1  according to the embodiment under description that its disassembling in the opposite order to that of its execution can be performed quickly substantially by a single action, and when it is used for, for example, fixing a circuit board for an electrical product, etc., or attaching an internal decoration material for an automobile, it greatly facilitates any job of recovering a specific part from a used product for recycling purposes after its dismantling.  
      FIGS.  4  to  6  show second to fourth embodiments of the present invention, and give common reference numerals to the parts which they share with the first embodiment.  
      According to the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a plug  5  adapted to form a fastener  21  with a sleeve  3  has a greater length from its lower neck portion  11  to its flange portion  12  as a stop stepped portion.  
      According to the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a sleeve  18  adapted to form a fastener  31  with a plug  17  has a stop stepped portion  20  formed on the outer peripheral surface of its expanding portion  19  and engaging the edge of a hole  15  opening on the rear side of counterpart stationary components  16 , when the expanding portion is expanded, provided, however, that the counterpart components  16  to be fastened together and fixed have a specific total thickness. In any other aspect of construction, it is basically identical to what is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This embodiment has the advantage that the tightening force of the fastener  31  itself makes a more reliable fastening together of the counterpart stationary components  16 .  
      The fourth embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  is based on the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , and has the advantage of serving also as a so-called wire path sleeve, since a plug  44  adapted to form a fastener  41  with a sleeve  18  has a hollow shank  9  defining an inner cylindrical portion  9   a  through which various kinds of wires can, for example, be passed.  
      FIGS.  7  to  12  show a fifth embodiment of the present invention and illustrate a type including a screw member  22 , while a fastener  51  itself is used as an anchor portion, as shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  is an exploded view showing the mutual relationship between the structural elements and  FIGS. 9 and 10  show details of a sleeve  23  and a plug  24  alone, respectively.  FIGS. 7, 11  and  12  are, however, each a combination of views showing different states in their right and left half portions, and their right half portions show the case in which the counterpart components to be fastened together have a large thickness, while their left half portions show the case in which the counterpart components to be fastened together have a small thickness.  
      As shown in FIGS.  7  to  10 , the fastener  51  is formed by a hollow cylindrical sleeve  23  having a thin seating flange portion  25 , a plug  24  in the form of a hollow stepped shank press fitted in the sleeve  23  and a screw  22  as a screw member adapted to be screwed into the plug  24 , the sleeve  23  and the plug  24  being both formed from a thermoplastic resin, such as nylon. The sleeve  23  has a pair of index grooves  26  formed on the inner periphery of its top, while the plug  24  has protrusions  27  formed on its outer periphery and complementary to the index grooves  26 , respectively, so that the mutual fitting of the index grooves  26  and the protrusions  27  may provide a stop for preventing rotation between the sleeve  23  and the plug  24 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 7  and also in  FIG. 9 , the sleeve  23  is divided like a collet toward its distal end by four radial slots  28  defining an expanding sleeve portion  29  which is radially expansible, and a rib  30  protrudes above each slot  28 . As shown also in  FIG. 7 , the inner peripheral surface of the expanding sleeve portion  29  in its distal end portion is shaped like a tapered hole having a gradually decreasing diameter toward its distal end via a tapered surface  38   a  and an arcuate surface connecting therewith, and having a smoothly and gradually increasing diameter from its minimum diameter portion to its distal end, thereby substantially defining an annular protrusion  38 . A stepped recess  32  is formed at the distal end of the expanding sleeve portion  29 .  
      On the other hand, the plug  24  has a length larger than the sleeve  23 , and its distal end portion is divided like a collet by four radial slots  33  defining an expanding plug portion  34  which is radially expansible, as shown in  FIG. 10 , like the sleeve  23 . The plug  24  has two vertically spaced apart neck portions  35  and  36  formed like annular grooves on its distal end portion. As is obvious from  FIG. 11 , the lower neck portion  36  is complementary in shape to the annular protrusion  38  on the inner periphery of the expanding sleeve portion  29  yet to be expanded, and as is obvious from  FIG. 12 , the upper neck portion  35  is complementary in shape to the annular protrusion  38  on the inner periphery of the expanding sleeve portion  29  as expanded.  
      Moreover, a large diameter flange portion  37  is formed at the distal end of the plug  24  as a stop stepped portion complementary to the stepped recess  32  on the sleeve  23  and engages complementarily with the stepped recess  32 , while the plug  24  has a distal end face projecting slightly from the sleeve  23 , when the expanding sleeve portion  29  is yet to be expanded. When the plug  24  is combined with the sleeve  23  by press fitting, the flange portion  37  at the end of the plug  24  engages complementarily with the stepped recess  32  on the sleeve  23 , while the annular protrusion  38  on the sleeve  23  makes concavo-convex engagement with the neck portion  36  of the plug  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11 , whereby the detachment of the plug  24  from the sleeve  23  can be prevented effectively, so that no separation of the sleeve  23  and plug  24  from each other may occur when the fastener  51  remains as a unit yet to be applied.  
      Referring to a method of applying the fastener  51  constructed as described, the sleeve  23  combined with the plug  24  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) is inserted through a hole  42  formed in a counterpart stationary component  39  or  40 , so that the expanding sleeve portion  29  may protrude by a predetermined amount from the rear surface of the counterpart component  39  or  40  be fixed, while the seating flange portion  25  of the sleeve  23  rests on the counterpart stationary component  39  or  40 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . At this time, the ribs  30  formed on the sleeve  23  are deformed to make pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole  42 , whereby the detachment of the sleeve  23  from the counterpart component  39  or  40  can be prevented even if the sleeve  23  may, for example, be inserted in an upwardly directed position.  
      Under these circumstances, a striking or pushing force is given to the top surface of the plug  24  to force the plug  24  through the sleeve  23  until the distal end portion of the plug  24  protrudes to a large extent from the end of the expanding sleeve portion  29 , so that the top surface of the plug  24  may become flush with the seating flange portion  25  of the sleeve  23 .  
      As the plug  24  is hit in, the expanding sleeve portion  29  is expanded gradually from below like a skirt, while the concavo-convex engagement between the neck portion  36  of the plug  24  and the annular protrusion  38  of the sleeve  23  is released, as shown in  FIG. 12 . Upon expansion of the expanding sleeve portion  29 , the annular protrusion  38  makes concavo-convex engagement with the upper neck portion  35  of the plug  24  and a restraint feel of their concavo-convex engagement is obtained to confirm the expansion of the expanding sleeve portion  29  to a predetermined extent, whereby the sleeve  23  and the plug  24  are fixed like an anchor portion to the counterpart stationary component  39  or  40 . This is irrespective of the thickness of the counterpart stationary component  39  or  40 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . At the same time, the effect of preventing loosening between the sleeve  23  and the plug  24  as applied (after expansion) is exhibited to provide satisfactory resistance to impact, vibration, etc., since the concavo-convex engagement between the sleeve  23  and the plug  24  as described makes their positioning relative to each other.  
      Then, the screw  22  is passed through another part  43  to be fastened and fixed to the counterpart stationary component  39  or  40  and is tightened through the plug  24 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . As the screw  22  is tightened, the expanding plug portion  34  is expanded outwardly like the sleeve  23  expanded before and thereby causes the already expanded expanding sleeve portion  29  to be further expanded. As a result, the stationary component  43  is screwed down to the counterpart stationary component  39  or  40 , while the sleeve  23  and the plug  24  are fixed still more rigidly to the counterpart stationary component  30  or  40 .  
      This mode for fixing is applicable not only to the case in which the counterpart stationary component  39  or  40  is a concrete block, but also to the case in which it is a plaster board, fancy plywood, an ALC panel, a veneer, or the like making a hollow wall, and it is, moreover, applicable even if the hole  42  may be a non-through hole.  
      When, on the other hand, it is desirable to release the engagement/coupling by the fastener  51  after its execution, the screw  22  is removed as shown in  FIG. 12 . Then, a striking force is, for example, given to the distal end face of the flange portion  37  of the plug  24  to hit the plug  24  in the opposite direction to that of its execution and thereby release the expanding sleeve portion  29  from expansion and the plug  24 , as well as the sleeve  23 , is pulled out from the hole  142 . When the flange portion  37  of the plug  24  has complementarily engaged with the stop recess  32  of the sleeve  23 , their relative movement is prevented and the sleeve  23  and the plug  24  can be pulled out from the hole  42  as a unitary assembly without being separated from each other as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
      Thus, this embodiment also enables its disassembling in the opposite order to that of its execution to be performed quickly substantially by a single action.  
      FIGS.  13  to  21  show a sixth embodiment of the present invention and it differs from the embodiments described above in that the portion corresponding to the sleeve and the portion corresponding to the plug are formed integrally with each other substantially as a one-piece structure.  
      As shown in  FIG. 13  and also in FIGS.  14  to  17 , a fastener  61  having substantially a flattened shape as viewed in top plan is composed of a plug  45  shaped like a square column and a pair of fastener elements  46  arranged on the opposite sides of the plug  45  and those elements are formed from a thermoplastic resin, such as nylon, integrally with one another. Each fastener element  46  has a head portion  47  extending outwardly approximately in the shape of a hairpin and an expanding anchor portion  48  which is integral therewith, and each fastener element  46  has its head portion  47  joined at its top to the upper end of the plug  45  by an integral molding method and is supported on the plug  45  substantially in a cantilever fashion.  
      In the upper half portion of the plug  45  shaped like a square column, a wedge-like protrusion  49  having a thickness which gradually increases downwardly is formed with the same width as the plug  45  on each of two opposite sides which are perpendicular to the direction in which the fastener elements  46  face each other. A slot  50  is formed in each wedge-like protrusion  49  to impart to the wedge-like protrusion  49  flexibility in the direction in which the width of the slot  50  is reduced or enlarged, while each wedge-like protrusion  49  has a maximum diameter portion contacting the inner wall of a hole  66  formed in counterpart stationary components  65  (see  FIG. 21 ). In the lower half portion of the plug  45  shaped like a square column, three tapered or arcuate grooves  52   a ,  53   a  and  54   a  are formed oh each of the remaining sides to be opposite each other, thereby forming three vertically spaced apart neck portions  52 ,  53  and  54  on the plug  45 .  
      On the other hand, several notches  57  are formed in a shoulder portion  55  on the upper side of the head portion  47  forming each fastener element  46  and approximately- in the shape of a hairpin and in a rest wall portion  56  on its lower side to impart flexibility to the head portion  47 , while a shoulder protrusion  58  is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shoulder portion  55 . An under-neck protrusion  59  and a notch  60  are formed at the base of the expanding anchor portion  48  of each fastener element  46 , while a fitting protrusion  62  is formed on the inner surface of the expanding anchor portion  48 , and the whole inner surface of the expanding anchor portion  48  is so shaped as to be able to make thoroughly intimate contact with the plug  45 , as will be described. At the same time, the fitting protrusion  62  is so shaped as to be able to fit in both of the two neck portions  52  and  53  of the plug  45 . The notch  60  formed at the base of the expanding anchor portion  48  as stated makes the expanding anchor portion  48  elastically deformable at its base, while the under-neck protrusion  59  is situated at an angle of 90 degrees from each wedge-like protrusion  49  of the plug  45 , so that it, as well as the wedge-like protrusion  49 , may contact the inner wall surface of the hole  66 .  
      Moreover, each expanding anchor portion  48  protrudes both inwardly and outwardly at its distal end, whereby a fitting protrusion  63  and a hook portion  64  as a stop stepped portion are formed respectively. The fitting protrusion  63  is so shaped as to be able to fit in the lowermost neck portion  54  of the plug  45  and the hook portion  64  is spaced apart from the under-neck surface of the head portion  47  by a distance which is equal to the thickness of the counterpart stationary components  65 , as shown in  FIG. 20 .  
      Referring to a method of applying the fastener  61 , the expanding anchor portions  48  of the fastener  61  are held at their distal ends against the open edge of the hole  66  formed in the counterpart stationary components  65  to be fastened together and fixed, are contracted into intimate contact with the plug  45  and are forced into the hole  66  to bring the under-neck surfaces of the head portions  47  into intimate contact with the counterpart components  65  to be fixed, as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . As is obvious from  FIG. 21  (A), it follows that the wedge-like protrusions  49  and the under-neck protrusions  59  are flexibly deformed in contact with the inner wall surface of the hole  66 . At the same time, as the plug  45  and the expanding anchor portions  48  are in intimate contact with each other, the fitting protrusions  62  of the expanding anchor portions  48  fit intimately in the neck portions  53  of the plug  45 . The hook portions at the ends of the expanding anchor portions  48  define therebetween a maximum diameter which enable them to enter in the hole  66 .  
      Then, a striking force is, for example, applied to the top of the plug  45  in the state shown in  FIG. 19  to strike the plug  45  into the fastener elements  46 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . As the plug  45  is stricken, the fitting protrusions  62  are released from their concavo-convex engagement with the neck portions  53  and the plug  45  abuts at its distal end against the fitting protrusions  63  and pushes them open, whereby the expanding anchor portions  48  of the fastener elements  46  are expanded to the right and left and their hook portions  64  engage the edge of the hole  66  opening in the rear surface of the counterpart stationary components  65 .  
      When the plug  45  is further pushed, the fitting protrusions  62  on the inner surfaces of the expanding anchor portions  48  make concavo-convex engagement with the uppermost neck portions  52 , while the fitting protrusions  63  at the ends of the expanding anchor portions  48  make concavo-convex engagement with the lowermost neck portions  54  of the plug  45 , as shown in  FIG. 21 , whereupon a restraint feel of the concavo-convex engagement is obtained to confirm the expansion of the expanding anchor portions  48  by a predetermined amount. Although the concavo-convex engagement between the fitting protrusions  62  and the uppermost neck portions  52  and the concavo-convex engagement between the fitting protrusions  63  at the ends of the expanding anchor portions  48  and the lowermost neck portions  54  make the expanding anchor portions  48  spring back slightly, the hook portions  64  remain engaged with the open edge of the hole  66 , so that the fastener elements  48  and the plug  45  are positioned relative to each other by the above concavo-convex engagements to tighten and fix rigidly the counterpart stationary components  65 . When such engagement/coupling is completed, the plug  45  has its distal end project slightly downward from the expanding anchor portions  48 .  
      When the concavo-convex engagement between the fitting protrusions  62  and the uppermost neck portions  52  and the concavo-convex engagement between the fitting protrusions  63  at the ends of the expanding anchor portions  48  and the lower-most neck portions  54  have been completed as described above, the shoulder protrusions  58  are pressed against the underlying rest wall portions  56  and maintain their positions as shown in  FIG. 21 , so that the counterpart stationary components  65  are tightened and fixed between the hook portions  64  at the ends of the expanding anchor portions  48  and the rest wall portions  56 . At the same time, the wedge-like protrusions  49  and the edges of the under-neck protrusions  59  are both pressed against the inner wall surface of the hole  66  to provide a stop for preventing the rotation of the fastener  61 . In the event that the above concavo-convex engagements are incomplete, or in the event that any loosening should occur after execution, the head portions  47  are elastically deformed, resulting particularly in the rest wall portions  56  rising from the counterpart stationary components  65 , by their self-restoring force, as shown in  FIG. 19  or  20 , so that the change in shape of the head portions  47  or the rising of the rest wall portions  56  may enable any incomplete engagement or loosening to be recognized or discovered easily.  
      When, on the other hand, it is desirable to release the engagement/coupling by the fastener  61  after its execution, a striking force is, for example, given to the distal end face of the plug  45  to strike the plug  45  in the opposite direction to that of its execution and thereby release the expanding anchor portions  48  from expansion to return them to their positions shown in  FIG. 19 . Then, the plug  45 , as well as the expanding anchor portions  48 , is pulled out from the hole  66 .  
      Thus, this embodiment has the advantage that a single action is sufficient for releasing the fastener  61  from its engagement/coupling, while it is very easy to handle, since the plug  45  and the pair of right and left expanding anchor portions  48  are integrally molded to form a one-piece structure and in no event they are separable from each other.  
       FIGS. 22 and 23  show a seventh embodiment of the present invention while the sixth embodiment described above is based on the premises that the counterpart components to be fixed have a specific thickness, and this embodiment is applicable to counterpart components to be fixed which differ in thickness, too, so that it may be more suitable for general use.  
      Referring more specifically to  FIG. 22  employing common reference numerals for the parts which it shares with the sixth embodiment, it differs from the sixth embodiment in that each of the expanding anchor portions  68  of a pair of right and left fastener elements  46  forming a fastener  71  with a plug  45  has a plurality of latch pawls  69  formed on its outer surface and arranged along its length, while in any other aspect of construction, it is basically identical to the sixth embodiment.  
      As is obvious from a comparison of the right and left half portions of  FIG. 23 , therefore, one of the latch pawls  69  is always sure to engage the edge of the hole  66  opening in the rear surface of the counterpart stationary component  65  or  70 , even if the counterpart stationary components  65  and  70  may differ in thickness, so that it is possible to fasten and fix the counterpart components  60  and  70  rigidly irrespective of the thickness of the counterpart stationary components  65  and  70 .  
       FIGS. 24 and 25  show an eighth embodiment of the present invention, which is an integrally molded combination of a binding band  72  and a fastener  71  according to the seventh embodiment described above and adapted to function as a clip for attaching it (or an anchor portion for attaching it), so that when it is desirable to fix the binding band  72  for binding various kinds of wire, etc. to a wall, etc., such binding and fixing may both be carried out at the same time.  
      Referring to  FIG. 24  employing common reference numerals for the parts which it shares with the seventh embodiment described above, a belt  73  in the binding band  72  has a middle portion molded integrally with a portion corresponding to the head of a plug  45  in a fastener  71 . The binding band  72  has an insertion head  74  and a through ring  75  in addition to the belt  73  as shown in  FIG. 25 , too, and is of the known construction in which when the belt  73  has its end portion inserted through the insertion head  74 , the belt  73  is movable only in a tightening direction by the engagement of ratchet surfaces formed on the belt  73  and in the insertion head  74 , respectively.  
      This embodiment has the advantage of allowing both the binding of electric wires, etc. by the binding band  72  and its fixing to a wall, etc. to be done at the same time, while the mode for attaching to the wall, etc. the fastener  71  functioning as a clip for attaching the band may be exactly the same as what is employed by the embodiment described above. A fastener of the type shown in  FIG. 13  can, of course, be adopted, too, if required.