Patent Publication Number: US-2010119325-A1

Title: Stud retaining fastener assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/112,240 filed Nov. 7, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a fastener assembly and is more particularly directed to a fastener assembly adapted to matedly engage and retain an elongated stud element projecting outwardly from a support surface and to concurrently grip a flexible or rigid structure in overlying relation to the support surface. The fastener assembly incorporates a hollow pin member held within a body member. The hollow pin member includes an internal cavity adapted to matedly engage and retain the stud element. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Transportation vehicles and other environments of use may require a covering panel to be retained in overlying relation to a panel surface. By way of example only, a motor vehicle typically incorporates a metal firewall at a position below the instrument panel. This firewall may be covered by an insulator pad or blanket of generally pliable material. It is desirable to establish and maintain a stable connection between the firewall and the covering insulator pad. It may also be desirable to be able to remove the insulator pad for purposes of servicing and/or replacement. The engagement and disengagement of the insulator pad or other covering panel is typically carried out in a so called “blind” condition due to the location of the firewall. Thus, the placement and removal is normally carried out primarily by feel without the benefit of substantial visibility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a fastener assembly adapted to facilitate the secure placement of an insulator pad or other overlay structure of rigid or flexible character in juxtaposed relation to a firewall or other support panel by engagement with one or more studs projecting outwardly from the support panel. The fastener assembly includes a hollow body portion with an axial through hole and with one or more rotatable legs adapted for insertion through the overlay structure. The leg members are adapted to rotate outwardly to a spread condition across a surface of the overlay structure facing away from the support panel. The fastener assembly further includes a pin member adapted for retention within the body portion. The pin member includes an axially oriented stud acceptance cavity adapted to receive a stud projecting outwardly from the support panel. One or more flexible stud retention arms are disposed radially at least partially about the stud acceptance cavity. Distal edges of the stud retention arms engage the surface of the stud and block withdrawal of the stud from the stud acceptance cavity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a fastener assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away side view of the body portion of the exemplary fastener assembly of  FIG. 1  with the legs in the down position; 
         FIG. 3  is a cut-away side view of the pin portion of the exemplary fastener assembly of  FIG. 1  with a threaded stud shown in phantom disposed within the stud acceptance cavity; 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating the exemplary fastener assembly of  FIG. 1  in an intermediate assembly state with the body portion of the assembly extending through an overlay structure shown in section and with the legs in a down position; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  with the exemplary fastener assembly in a fully assembled state with the legs in a spread and locked condition across an outer surface of the overlay structure; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the relative orientation of multiple fastener assemblies and multiple outwardly projecting studs for attachment of an overlay across a support panel structure. 
     
    
    
     Before the embodiments of the intention 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 EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various views. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary fastener assembly  12  is shown. In the illustrated arrangement, the fastener assembly  12  includes a hollow body portion  14  and a pin member  16  configured for acceptance within a through hole  17  extending through the body portion  14  along a central axis  19 . The fastener assembly  12  may be formed from molded plastic, metal, or other materials or combinations of materials as may be desired. As will be described further hereinafter, the fastener assembly  12  may be used to secure a juxtaposed arrangement between an overlay structure  18  of rigid or pliable character and a support panel  20  including one or more outwardly projecting studs  21  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring jointly to  FIGS. 1-3 , in the exemplary configuration, the body portion  14  includes a generally cylindrical base segment  22  defining a wall surrounding the through hole  17 . The cylindrical base segment  22  extends downwardly away from an enhanced diameter collar  24  disposed circumferentially about the inlet opening for the trough hole  17 . A pair of leg members  26  are disposed below the base segment  22  with an operative connection between the base segment  22  and the leg members  26  provided by living hinges  28 . As shown, the living hinges are preferably in the form of relatively narrow bendable strips of material formed in integral relation with the base segment  22  and the corresponding leg members  26 . Thus, the exemplary body portion  14  including the base segment  22 , the enhanced diameter collar  24 , the leg members  26  and the connective living hinges  28  may be molded as a single piece if desired. 
     As illustrated, in the exemplary construction the leg members  26  include outboard edge flaps  30  defining substantially planar outer surfaces facing generally outwardly away from the central axis  19  when the legs are in the down position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The thickness of the edge flaps  30  is slightly greater than the thickness of the adjacent living hinges  28 . The leg members  26  in the exemplary construction also include inboard wing segments  32  disposed in planes transverse to the edge flaps  30 . The planes of the wing segments  32  are substantially parallel and are arranged on opposite sides of the central axis  19  relative to one another. 
     In the exemplary construction, the wing segments  32  include sloped upper edges  34  adapted to engage and slide along the lower surface of the pin member  16  upon passage of the lower portion of the pin member  16  through the outlet of the through hole  17 . The sloped upper edges  34  thus act as camming surfaces when acted upon by the pin member  16  thereby causing the leg members  26  to rotate outwardly in a manner as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in the exemplary configuration the pin member  16  includes an enhanced diameter concave stud guide  38  having a generally dish-shaped configuration defining an entrance for a stud  21 . As will be appreciated, the broad, concave configuration of the stud guide  38  facilitates blind insertion of the stud  21  by guiding the stud  21  into substantial alignment with the central axis  19 . An elongated finger element  40  of polygonal cross-section extends downwardly away from the stud guide  38 . The finger element  40  is hollow at least partially along its length to define a stud acceptance channel  43  for receipt of a stud  21  entering from the stud guide along the central axis  19 . 
     As illustrated, the stud guide  38  opens into the stud acceptance channel  43 . Stud retention arms  44  are disposed radially at least partially about the exit of the stud guide  38  to define a transition between the stud guide  38  and the stud acceptance channel  43 . The stud retention arms  44  are preferably flexible and are angled or curved inwardly such that their distal edges project towards the central axis  19  to define an expansible throat passage transitioning between the stud guide  38  and the stud acceptance channel  43 . The distal edges of the stud retention arms  44  are normally spaced a distance from one another which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the stud  21 . Thus, upon insertion of the stud  21 , the distal edges of the stud retention elements press inwardly against the surface of the stud  21 . Such a configuration permits relatively easy insertion of the stud  21  with concurrent outward flexing of the stud retention elements. However, outward withdrawal is blocked by the stud retention arms  44 . While two stud retention arms  44  are illustrated, a greater or lesser number may likewise be used. 
     In the illustrated exemplary arrangement, the stud retention arms  44  are disposed on opposing sides of the central axis  19  and have an inward curvature in the longitudinal direction to define a longitudinally concave face that faces the central axis  19 . The stud retention arms terminate at inwardly projecting distal edges. The distal edges are curved circumferentially so as to engage the surface of a curved surface stud  21  in a generally complementary cradling relation when the stud is inserted as shown in  FIG. 3 . Of course, other constructions which provide engagement between a portion of the stud retention arms  44  and the surface of the stud  21  may likewise be used if desired. 
     In the exemplary configuration, the pin member  16  includes a first pair of opposing shelf structures  48  disposed adjacent to the distal end of the finger element  40 . The pin member  16  also includes a second pair of opposing shelf structures  50  disposed above the first pair and in substantially aligned relation with the first pair. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the body portion  14  includes one or more latch members  52  (only one shown) in the form of flexible tabs disposed at the walls of the through hole  17 . In the exemplary construction, the latch members are angled downwardly and inwardly towards the central axis  19 . The latch members  52  snap behind the lower ledges of the shelf structures  48 ,  50  when the pin member  16  is inserted into the body portion. Following insertion, the latch members block against retraction of the pin member  16 . 
     The inclusion of a first pair of opposing shelf structures  48  at a relatively low position along the finger element  40  and a second pair of opposing shelf structures  50  at a higher position enables the pin member  16  to be held against retraction in either a partially or a completely inserted state. Accordingly, the pin member  16  may be inserted to a first stage partially into the body portion and held in place by engagement between the latch members  52  and the first pair of opposing shelf structures  48 . Upon complete insertion to a second stage, the pin member  16  may be held in place by engagement between the latch members  52  and the second pair of opposing shelf structures  50 . By way of example only, and not limitation, the partially inserted state may be used for shipment while the fully assembled state may be used in operation to secure the overlay structure  18  in place in the manner as will be described further hereinafter. In the illustrated and potentially preferred configuration, outwardly projecting surface bumps  54  may be disposed between the first pair of opposing shelf structures  48  and the second pair of opposing shelf structures  50 . Such surface bumps may be used to control the required force for insertion of the finger element  40  into the body portion  14  from the partially assembled state to the fully assembled state. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , in the exemplary configuration the through hole  17  has an interior polygonal cross-sectional shape for receipt of the finger element  40  along the central axis  19 . This polygonal shape preferably substantially blocks relative rotation between the pin member  16  and the body portion  14  once the finger element  40  is inserted. In this regard, the interior cross-section of the through hole may be substantially complementary to the exterior shape of the finger element  40  although other geometries that prevent relative rotation also may be used. 
     Referring jointly to FIGS.  1  and  4 - 6 , the operation of the fastener assembly  12  in adjoining an overlay structure  18  to a support panel  20  with outwardly projecting studs will now be described. In an intermediate assembly state shown in  FIG. 4 , the pin member  16  has been inserted partially into the body portion  14 . In this partial insertion condition, the latch members  52  ( FIG. 2 ) engage the first pair of opposing self structures  48  at the interior of the base segment  22 . The pin member  16  is thus restrained against falling out of the body portion  14  and the fastener assembly  12  can be shipped or otherwise manipulated as a unitary structure. By way of example only, in this partial insertion condition, the body portion  14  may be inserted across a portion of the overlay structure  18  such that the enhanced diameter collar  24  rests on a surface of the overlay structure. Of course, the body portion  14  also may be inserted across the overlay structure  18  without the pin member  16  in place if desired. The pin member  16  is then inserted to clamp the overlay structure in place as will now be described. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , in the exemplary configuration the distal end of the finger element  40  has chamfered, inwardly angled lower edges  56  defining a parallelepiped configuration. The lower edges  56  cooperatively engage and slide along the sloped upper edges  34  of the wing segments  32  when the finger element  40  is pressed into the through hole  17  a sufficient distance such that the lower edges pass beyond the base segment  22 . This cam action causes the leg members  26  to rotate outwardly and upwardly about the living hinges  28  such that the outboard edge flaps  30  are disposed in adjacent opposing relation to the surface of the overlay structure  18  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this condition the pin member  16  has been fully inserted and is held in place against outward movement by engagement between the latch members  52  ( FIG. 2 ) and the second pair of opposing shelf structures  50 . In this condition, the leg members  26  are locked in the spread orientation and are blocked against returning to the position of  FIG. 4 . Moreover, as indicated previously, the body portion  14  cannot be rotated relative to the pin member  16  due to the cooperating polygonal geometries of the through hole  17  and the finger element  40 . Thus, any rotation of the body portion  14  is translated to the pin member  16 . 
     According to one potentially desirable operating practice, the overlay structure  18  may be held in clamped relation by the assembled fastener assembly in the manner as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , a stud  21  may be press fit through the stud guide  38  and into the stud acceptance channel  43  at the interior of the finger element  40 . As noted previously, the stud guide  38  incorporates an enhanced diameter concave configuration. As will be appreciated, such a configuration aids in making a so called “blind” connection in which the user is unable to see the stud by guiding the stud into substantial alignment with the central axis  19 . With the stud  21  pressed in place, the distal edges of the stud retention arms  44  press inwardly and engage the surface threads of the stud  21 . In this arrangement the stud retention arms  44  block against outward retraction of the stud  21 . The overlay structure  18  is thus held in covering relation to the support panel  20 . 
     As noted previously, the body portion  14  and the pin member  16  are restricted from rotating relative to one another. Thus, rotation of the body portion  14  is translated to the pin member  16 . This cooperative rotation aids in removing the fastener assembly  12  from a stud  21  for purposes of repair or replacement following the original installation if required. Specifically, with the leg members  26  in the raised condition as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the wing segments  32  take on the configuration of a wing nut. Thus, a user can apply a leveraged torque to rotate the body portion  14 . This rotation is translated to the pin member  16  such that the fastener assembly rotates as a unitary structure about the central axis  19 . Since the distal edges of the stud retention arms  44  engage the threads or other surface contours of the stud  21 , and the stud  21  remains stationary, the applied rotation causes the distal edges of the stud retention arms  44  to track along the threads such that the fastener assembly can be backed off of the stud  21  until full disengagement has been achieved. The fastener assembly  12  may subsequently reengage the stud  21  by the press-fit insertion as described previously. Thus, the stud  21  may be readily engaged and disengaged as desired. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.