Patent Publication Number: US-2023160412-A1

Title: Coupling assembly including a scrivet fastener

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to fasteners used to couple two discrete panels or other objects together, at least temporarily. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     During the manufacturing of internal cabins of vehicles, fasteners can be used to temporarily secure a floor covering on top of production floor panels. The floor covering may protect the floor panels from impacts, scratches, stains, and the like from tools, equipment, and/or fluids (e.g., oil, paint, etc.) while the internal cabin is manufactured. As one of the finishing steps before completion of the internal cabin, the floor covering is removed to expose the production floor panels. 
     One conventional fastener used to secure the floor covering to the production floor panels during the manufacturing process is a scrivet fastener  100  as shown in  FIG.  1   . The scrivet fastener  100  has a shaft  102  and a head  104 . The shaft  102  is inserted through a first hole  106  in a cover, or protection, panel  108  such that a portion of the shaft  102  extends into a second hole  110  in a production floor panel  112 . Optionally, the production floor panel  112  includes an insert  114  within the second hole  110 , and the shaft  102  extends into the insert  114 . The head  104  of the scrivet fastener  100  abuts against a top, cabin-facing surface  116  of the cover panel  108  when the scrivet fastener  100  is in a fully loaded position. 
     One drawback of the conventional scrivet fastener  100  is an ineffectiveness at retaining the cover panel  108  on the production floor panel  112 . The shaft  102  of the conventional scrivet fastener  100  has a fluted design with a series of conical features  118  resembling a pine tree. When inserted into the second hole  110  of the production floor panel  112 , only the edges of the conical features  118  engage the interior surface of the insert  114 , so there is limited surface area of the shaft  102  that contacts the interior surface. Furthermore, the conical features  118  may collapse upon entering the narrow hole. As a result of the limited contact surface area and the deformation of the conical features  118 , the fluted design of the shaft  102  provides limited retention of the fastener  100  to the production floor panel  112 . For example, weight on the cover panel  108  applied by people walking on the cover panel  108  and/or equipment may cause the cover panel  108  to compress and then decompress when the weight is removed. As the cover panel  108  decompresses, the top surface  116  may force the head  104  of the fastener  100  in a direction away from the floor panel  112  with sufficient magnitude to overcome the limited retention force provided by the shaft  102 , causing the fastener  100  to separate from the production floor panel  112 . 
     Furthermore, the conventional scrivet fastener  100  does not secure to the cover panel  108  independent of the production floor panel  112 . When the fastener  100  separates from the production floor panel  112 , either intentionally or unintentionally, the fastener  100  may fall out of the first hole  106  in the cover panel  108 . For example, when the cover panel  108  is lifted off the production floor panel  112  to expose the production floor panel  112 , a plurality of the fasteners  100  may fall onto the production floor panel  112  and become debris (e.g., foreign object debris (FOD)). Fastener debris can damage the floor panels (particularly when pressed into the floor panels by equipment, luggage, and/or people walking), can present a tripping hazard, and can increase costs associated with collecting and picking up the loose fasteners and replacing lost fasteners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A need exists for a coupling assembly that includes scrivet fasteners which provide a low cost, simple, and secure means of coupling two objects together, including a panel and a mating structure. A need also exists for scrivet fasteners that can provide increased retention to each of the objects that are coupled together, relative to the conventional scrivet fastener design shown in  FIG.  1   . As such, the scrivet fasteners would be less likely to unintentionally separate from the mating structure than the conventional scrivet fastener. In the event of the panel being pulled away from the mating structure, the scrivet fasteners would remain on the panel without becoming FOD. 
     With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a scrivet fastener for coupling a panel to a mating structure. The scrivet fastener includes a head, a shaft extending from the head to a distal end of the shaft, and a compliant retention flange. The compliant retention flange extends radially outward from the shaft and is axially spaced apart from the head. The scrivet fastener is configured to at least temporarily couple the panel to the mating structure, such that the distal end of the shaft is secured to a hole of the mating structure and the compliant retention flange is secured to a deformable material of the panel. 
     Certain embodiments provide a method for coupling a panel to a mating structure. The method includes aligning a first hole defined in the panel with a second hole defined in the mating structure. The panel includes a deformable material. The method includes inserting a scrivet fastener into the first and second holes to couple the panel to the mating structure. The scrivet fastener includes a head, a shaft, and a compliant retention flange. The shaft extends from the head to a distal end of the shaft, and the compliant retention flange extends radially outward from the shaft and is axially spaced apart from the head. The scrivet fastener is inserted such that the compliant retention flange secures to the deformable material of the panel within the first hole and a distal section of the shaft secures to the mating structure within the second hole to couple the panel to the mating structure. 
     Certain embodiments provide a coupling assembly that includes a panel, a mating structure, and a plurality of scrivet fasteners. The panel includes a deformable material. The mating structure defines a plurality of holes that extend into the mating structure. The scrivet fasteners at least temporarily couple the panel to the mating structure. Each of the scrivet fasteners includes a head, a shaft extending from the head to a distal end of the shaft, and a compliant retention flange extending radially outward from the shaft and axially spaced apart from the head. The distal ends of the shafts are secured to the holes of the mating structure and the compliant retention flanges are secured to the deformable material of the panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a conventional scrivet fastener used to secure a floor covering to production floor panels during a manufacturing process. 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of a scrivet fastener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the scrivet fastener of  FIG.  2    being inserted into a hole of a panel according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of a coupling assembly that includes the scrivet fastener, the panel, and a mating structure according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is an isometric view of the scrivet fastener according to a first alternative embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of the scrivet fastener shown in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is an isometric view of the scrivet fastener according to a second alternative embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a flow chart of a method for coupling a panel to a mating structure according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a first isometric view of a scrivet fastener according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a second isometric view of the scrivet fastener shown in  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a side view of the scrivet fastener of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  12    is a top-down plan view of the scrivet fastener of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  13    is a bottom-up plan view of the scrivet fastener of  FIG.  9   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular condition can include additional elements not having that condition. 
     Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a scrivet fastener for coupling a first object to a second object. For example, the scrivet fastener extends through respective holes in the first object and the second object. The holes align with each other when the first object is positioned against the second object. The scrivet fastener has a head that abuts against the first object, and a shaft of the scrivet fastener secures to the second object within the hole of the second object. The first object is captured or sandwiched between the head and the second object. Optionally, a plurality of the scrivet fasteners can be used to couple the same two objects, by providing local coupling at multiple different locations along the objects. 
     The scrivet fastener according to one or more embodiments establishes a reversible coupling interface between the first and second objects. For example, the scrivet fastener can be extracted from the holes of the first and second objects without damaging the scrivet fastener or the objects, such that the scrivet fastener is reusable. One application for the scrivet fastener is to provide temporary coupling between the objects, such as to secure the first object to the second object for only a designated period of time before the first object is separated from the second object, or before a more permanent means of coupling the two objects is performed. 
     The first object is referred to herein as a panel. The second object is referred to herein as a mating structure. The panel and mating structure can be represented by various different types of objects and materials. Optionally, the panel and the mating structure may be two panels that couple together, although the mating structure is not limited to being a panel. In one example, the mating structure is a production floor panel and the panel is a floor covering that protects the production floor panel, such as during manufacturing and/or renovation of an interior cabin or room. In another example, the panel may be a radiator shroud or cover and the mating structure is a frame of a vehicle or a radiator of the vehicle to which the radiator shroud is coupled. The panel, the mating structure, and the one or more scrivet fasteners represent a coupling assembly when the panel is coupled to the mating structure via the one or more scrivet fasteners. 
       FIG.  2    is an isometric view of a scrivet fastener  200  according to an embodiment. The scrivet fastener  200  includes a head  202 , a shaft  204 , and a compliant retention flange  206 . The shaft  204  extends from the head  202  to a distal end  208  of the shaft  204 . The shaft  204  is oriented about a central axis  210 , such that the shaft  204  is elongated along the central axis  210 . The shaft  204  in the illustrated embodiment has a cylindrical bearing surface  212  along a distal section  214  of the shaft  204 . The cylindrical bearing surface  212  may have a uniform diameter along the length of the bearing surface  212 . Optionally, the bearing surface  212  is smooth, or approximately smooth, such that the bearing surface  212  is free of protrusions, ridges, depressions, abrasive surface texture, and the like (ignoring minor manufacturing imperfections). The distal section  214  that includes the bearing surface  212  may extend fully to the distal end  208  of the shaft  204 . 
     The head  202  of the scrivet fastener  200  has a panel-facing surface  216  and an outward-facing surface  218 . The panel-facing surface  216  is also referred to herein as a lower surface  216 , and the outward-facing surface  218  is referred to herein as an upper surface  218 . The lower surface  216  may be flat and planar to provide a broad surface area for engaging a top surface of the panel (e.g., the top surface  116  of the cover panel  108  shown in  FIG.  1   ) when the scrivet fastener  200  is fully loaded. The flat, planar lower surface  216  may also provide a contact surface for prying the scrivet fastener  200  out of the holes of the panel and the mating structure to extract the scrivet fastener  200 . For example, a person may wedge a fingernail or a prying tool between the head  202  and the top surface  116  of the cover panel to exert a lifting force on the lower surface  216  of the head  202 . 
     The upper surface  218  may be curved (e.g., rounded) to provide a comfortable surface for manually pushing the scrivet fastener  200  into the holes of the panel and the mating structure. The upper surface  218  may have a convex curvature that bulges outward in a direction away from the lower surface  216 . In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface  218  may be generally planar with rounded edges and/or corners to provide manual comfort and reduce the risk of the fastener  200  snagging on objects that move along the panel and/or tripping people that walk along the panel (relative to fasteners with sharp corners and/or edges). The head  202  has a circular perimeter in the illustrated embodiment, but the perimeter of the head  202  may define another shape in an alternative embodiment, such as square or hexagonal. 
     The compliant retention flange  206  is attached to the shaft  204  and radially extends or projects outward from the shaft  204 . The retention flange  206  is axially spaced apart from the head  202  along the central axis  210 . For example, a spacer segment  221  of the shaft  204  is disposed between the head  202  and the retention flange  206 . The retention flange  206  may be relatively thin and flat, having a disc-like shape. The retention flange  206  is compliant and deflectable. For example, the retention flange  206  may be deflectable in a proximal direction towards the head  202  and in a distal direction towards the distal end  208  of the shaft  204 . In an embodiment, the retention flange  206  in a non-deflected, resting position radially extends from the shaft  204  within a flange plane, and the flange plane is perpendicular to the central axis  210 , or approximately perpendicular (e.g., within 5 degrees or less of 90 degrees). The flange plane may be parallel, or approximately parallel (e.g., within 5 degrees or less of zero degrees), to a plane defined by the lower surface  216  of the head  202 . 
     The compliant retention flange  206  secures the scrivet fastener  200  to the panel (e.g., the cover panel  108  shown in  FIG.  1   ), which prohibits the scrivet fastener  200  from separating from the panel and becoming FOD. For example, the compliant retention flange  206  enters the hole defined by the panel, and a perimeter end  222  of the retention flange  206  engages material of the panel within the hole to secure the scrivet fastener  200  to the panel via that interference or friction fit. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the retention flange  206  is segmented along a circumference of the flange  206  to define at least two flexible tabs  224  spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the flange  206 . The tabs  224  are able to independently flex relative to one another. In one or more embodiments, the retention flange  206  incudes at least three flexible tabs  224  circumferentially spaced apart from one another by recesses  226  or notches. The at least three flexible tabs  224  radially project in different directions within the common flange plane, such that the tabs  224  are coplanar when in the non-deflected, resting position. The retention flange  206  has four tabs  224  in the illustrated embodiment. The four tabs  224  radially project in respective directions 90 degrees apart from the adjacent tabs  224 . The four recesses  226  between the tabs  224  may have the same size and shape. As indicated above, the retention flange  206  may have other than four tabs  224 , such as two tabs, three tabs, or at least five tabs. In another alternative embodiment, the retention flange  206  lacks discrete tabs, such that the retention flange  206  is a single flexible disc having a circular shape or another shape. 
     In an embodiment, the compliant retention flange  206  is axially spaced apart from the distal section  214  of the shaft  204  via a neck segment  220 . The neck segment  220  is narrower than the distal section  214 , at least slightly. For example, the neck segment  220  may be a cylindrical segment with a diameter that is between 5% and 35% less than a diameter of the cylindrical bearing surface  212  of the distal section  214 . The neck segment  220  provides mechanical relief. For example, when forces are exerted on the head  202  that are not parallel to the central axis  210  while the distal section  214  is tightly held within a respective hole of the mating structure via a friction fit, the neck segment  220  may flex and/or bend, at least slightly, to accommodate the forces without damaging the scrivet fastener  200 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the scrivet fastener  200  has a unitary, monolithic body  230 . For example, the head  202 , the shaft  204 , and the retention flange  206  are seamlessly integrated together. In an embodiment, the scrivet fastener  200  may be formed via molding a plastic material. The head  202 , the shaft  204 , and the retention flange  206  may be composed of the same plastic material and may be formed during the same molding operation or a similar process to shape material into its final form. 
       FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the scrivet fastener  200  of  FIG.  2    being inserted into a hole  302  of a panel  304  according to an embodiment. The panel  304  optionally may be the floor cover panel  108  shown in  FIG.  1   . The panel  304  has a thickness that extends from a top surface  306  to a bottom surface  308 . The bottom surface  308  abuts against a surface of a mating structure  310  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) when the scrivet fastener  200  couples the panel  304  to the mating structure  310 . The top surface  306  may be exposed to the environment, such as the air in a cabin or room. The hole  302  extends through the full thickness of the panel  304  from the top surface  306  to the bottom surface  308 . The hole  302  has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the shaft  204  and less than a diameter of the head  202 . The scrivet fastener  200  is inserted into the hole  302  in a loading direction  312  such that the distal end  208  of the shaft  204  passes the top surface  306  before passing the bottom surface  308 . The shaft  204  is longer than the thickness of the panel  304 . The distal section  214  of the shaft  204  projects beyond the bottom surface  308 . The head  202  is too large to enter the hole  302 , and remains above the top surface  306 . 
     The diameter of the hole  302  may be at least slightly less than the diameter of the compliant retention flange  206 , at least at or proximate to the upper surface  306 . For example, the diameter of the retention flange  206  may be greater than the diameter of an opening  313  of the hole  302  at the upper surface  306 . As a result, an edge  314  of the panel  304  that defines the opening  313  abuts against the compliant retention flange  206  and causes at least a portion of the retention flange  206  to deflect upon entering the hole  302 . The retention flange  206  is forced to proximally deflect towards the head  202  as the fastener  200  is moved in the loading direction  312 . When deflected, the tabs  224  of the retention flange  206  may remain physically separated from the lower surface  216  of the head  202  due to the axial spacing between the head  202  and the retention flange  206 . 
     The scrivet fastener  200  reaches a fully loaded position when the lower surface  216  of the head  202  contacts and rests on the top surface  306  of the panel  304 . When the scrivet fastener  200  is in the fully loaded position, the retention flange  306  is disposed within the hole  302  (e.g., is axially located between the top surface  306  and the bottom surface  308 ). The retention flange  306  secures to a deformable material  316  of the panel  304 . For example, ends  317  of the flexible tabs  224  may at least partially dig into and embed within the deformable material  316  of the panel  304 , which holds the scrivet fastener  200  in place on the panel  304 . 
     In an embodiment, the panel  304  has at least two layers including a first layer  318  that defines the top surface  306  and a second layer  320  that is attached to the first layer  318 . The second layer  320  includes the deformable material  316 . The deformable material  316  may be include or represent foam, rubber, a rubber-like material, a relatively compliant polymer, or the like. The deformable material  316  may be designed to compress when a force is applied on the panel  304 , and resiliently decompress when the force is removed. The first layer  318  may include a material that is harder (e.g., a greater durometer) and/or more rigid than the deformable material  316  in the second layer  320 . For example, the material of the first layer  318  may by plastic, fiber-reinforced polymer, fiberglass, or the like. In an embodiment, the edge  314  of the first layer  318  forces the retention flange  206  to deflect as the shaft  204  is inserted into the panel  304 . The ends  317  of the flexible tabs  224  may include curved and/or beveled edges  324 , shown more clearly in  FIG.  4   , to provide lead-in surfaces that support deflection of the tabs  224  without stubbing. The curved edges  324  represent lower edges of the tabs  224  that engage the edge  314  of the panel  304 . 
     Once the ends  317  of the retention flange  206  pass beyond (e.g., below) the first layer  318  to align with the second layer  320 , the deformable material  316  allows the retention flange  206  to distally resile towards the undeflected state shown in  FIG.  2   . As the retention flange  206  resiles, the perimeter ends  222  penetrate an inner surface  322  of the deformable material  316  that defines the hole  302  to secure the scrivet fastener  200  to the panel  304 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of a coupling assembly  350  that includes the scrivet fastener  200 , the panel  304 , and the mating structure  310  according to an embodiment. One or more of the scrivet fasteners  200  couples the panel  304  to the mating structure  310  to define an assembled state of the coupling assembly  350 . The scrivet fastener  200  in  FIG.  4    is in the fully loaded position. 
     To couple the panel  304  to the mating structure  310 , the panel  304  is positioned next to the mating structure  310  such that the hole  302  of the panel  304  aligns with a hole  352  of the mating structure  310 . The hole  302  of the panel  304  is referred to as a first hole  302 , and the hole  352  of the mating structure  310  is referred to as a second hole  352 . The bottom surface  308  of the panel  304  may be placed in contact with a top, panel-facing surface  354  of the mating structure  310 . The scrivet fastener  200  is inserted into the holes  302 ,  352  by moving the scrivet fastener  200  relative to the panel  304  and mating structure  310  in the loading direction  312 . 
     As the scrivet fastener  200  is inserted, the distal end  208  of the shaft  204  enters the second hole  352  after passing beyond the bottom surface  308  of the panel  304 . Optionally, the second hole  352  is defined by an insert  356  that is attached to a body  358  of the mating structure  310 . For example, the insert  356  has an annular shell with an inner surface  360  that defines the second hole  352 . Alternatively, the mating structure  310  may lack the insert and the second hole is defined by an inner surface of the body  358  itself 
     The distal section  214  of the shaft  204  is formed based on the diameter of the second hole  352  such that the second hole  352  is only slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical bearing surface  212 . The diameter of the second hole  352  may be larger than the diameter of the cylindrical bearing surface  212  by a designated tolerance or clearance range. The tolerance range may be between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, depending on the sizes of the components and design considerations. As a result, the second hole  352  accommodates the distal section  214  of the shaft  204  without damaging the distal section  214 . Within the second hole  352 , due to the narrow clearance, there is a substantial amount of surface area of the cylindrical bearing surface  212  in contact with the inner surface  360  of the insert  356  that defines the second hole  352 . The surface-to-surface contact friction-fit couples the scrivet fastener  200  to the mating structure  310 . 
     When in the fully loaded position illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the distal section  214  of the shaft  204  secures the scrivet fastener  200  to the mating structure  310  via the friction-fit coupling interface within the second hole  352 . The head  202  abuts the top surface  306  of the panel  304  to sandwich and retain the panel  304  between the head  202  and the mating structure  310 . The scrivet fastener  200  couples the panel  304  to the mating structure  310  by trapping the panel  304  between the head  202  and the mating structure  310 . The retention flange  206  is disposed within the first hole  302 . The tabs  224  are no longer deflected by the harder, first layer  318  of the panel  304 , so the ends  317  of the tabs  224  are permitted to penetrate the inner surface  322  of the deformable material  316 . The engagement between the tabs  224  of the retention flange  206  and the deformable material  316  secures the scrivet fastener  200  to the panel  304 , independent of the mating structure  310 . For example, even if the panel  304  is pulled away from the mating structure  310  with sufficient force to extract the distal section  214  of the shaft  204  from the second hole  352 , the retention flange  206  retains the scrivet fastener  200  on the panel  304 . 
     The coupling assembly  350  in  FIG.  4    shows a single scrivet fastener  200  extending through a hole  302  in the panel  304  and into a hole  352  in the mating structure  310  that aligns with the hole  302  in the panel  304 . The coupling assembly  350  may include a plurality of scrivet fasteners  200  that are copies or replicas of the illustrated scrivet fastener  200 . Each of the scrivet fasteners  200  extends through a different set of holes  302 ,  352  in the panel  304  and the mating structure  310  to secure the panel  304  to the mating structure  310  at multiple different coupling locations. For example, the coupling assembly  350  may include dozens or hundreds of the scrivet fasteners  200  to at least temporarily secure the panel  304  to the mating structure  310 . 
     The coupling assembly  350  can be utilized to provide efficient, temporary coupling between a panel and a mating structure in various different use applications. One possible use case is to temporarily secure a cover panel on top of production floor panels within a cabin of a vehicle or a room of a building. For example, the panel  304  may be a cover panel, and the mating structure  310  may be one or more production floor panels. The cover panel  304  protects the production floor panels  310  from stains, spills, abrasions, dents, dings, and the like, while the cabin and/or room is being manufactured, renovated, or repaired. After the work is completed, the cover panel  304  can be removed from the floor panels  310  by extracting the scrivet fasteners  200  one at a time or by lifting up on the cover panel  304 . For example, an operator may lift an edge of the cover panel  304  such that the top surface  306  of the cover panel  304  applies sufficient force on the head  202  of the scrivet fastener  200  in a direction away from the floor panel  310  to overcome the friction fit coupling of the shaft  204  in the hole  352  of the floor panel  310 . The shaft  204  of the scrivet fastener  200  is lifted out of the hole  352 . Removing the shaft  204  from the hole  352  may emit a popping sound that indicates that the scrivet fastener  200  is uncoupled from the floor panel  310 . This process of lifting the cover panel  304  may successfully and efficiently remove a plurality of the scrivet fasteners  200  from the floor panels  310  without damaging the fasteners  200  or the floor panels  310 . Furthermore, the retention flanges  206  retain the fasteners  200  on the cover panel  304 , without the fasteners  200  forming projectiles of debris (e.g., FOD) as the cover panel  304  is lifted off the floor panels  310 . As such, once the cover panel  304  is removed from the floor panels  310 , the operator can then simply and easily push or pry the scrivet fasteners  200  out of the holes  302  of the cover panel  304  and collect the scrivet fasteners  200  in a container for future use. 
     In an embodiment, the coupling assembly  350  is used in an interior cabin of an aircraft while the interior cabin is being manufactured to protect the floor panels  310  during the manufacturing operation. The cover panel  304  is removed from the floor panels  310  prior to the aircraft going into service. Alternatively, instead of an aircraft, embodiments of the coupling assembly  350  may be used with various other types of vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, rail vehicles, watercraft, spacecraft, and the like. The coupling assembly  350  can also be used off-board vehicles, such as within buildings and on equipment. 
     The coupling assembly  350  may be used to couple a variety of objects together, and is not limited to the specific use case of floor protection covers described above. For example, the coupling assembly  350  may be used to couple a shroud or cover of a radiator to a frame or radiator of a vehicle. In this example, the radiator shroud may represent the panel  304 , and the vehicle frame or radiator may represent the mating structure  310 . 
       FIG.  5    is an isometric view of the scrivet fastener  200  according to a first alternative embodiment.  FIG.  6    is a side view of the scrivet fastener  200  shown in  FIG.  5   . The scrivet fastener  200  has the same head  202  and compliant retention flange  206  as the scrivet fastener  200  shown in  FIGS.  2  through  4   . The distal section  214  of the shaft  204  in the illustrated embodiment is bifurcated or forked. For example, a wedge-shaped slot  402  is defined between a first tine  404  and a second tine  406  of the shaft  204 . The distal end  208  of the shaft  204  is defined by the ends of the first and second tines  404 ,  406 . The size of the slot  402  tapers with increasing proximity to the neck segment  220  of the shaft  204 . The slot  402  enables the tines  404 ,  406  to deflect towards one another, to reduce the diameter of the distal section  214 , when the shaft  204  is inserted into the second hole  352  of the mating structure  310 . 
     The distal section  214  may include at least one detent feature that is a protrusion or a depression along the outer surface of the shaft  204 . In the illustrated embodiment, the distal section  214  has two detent features  410  that are protrusions. One of the detent features  410  is disposed on the first tine  404 , and the other detent feature  410  is on the second tine  406 . The detent features  410  may be disposed proximate to the distal end  208  of the shaft  204 . As the shaft  204  is inserted into the hole  352  of the mating structure  310 , the protruding detent features  410  contact the edge of the hole  352  at the opening. The contact interface forces the tines  404 ,  406  to deflect towards each other within the wedge-shaped slot  402 . The deflected tines  404 ,  406  exert a resilient normal force against the inner surface of the hole  352 , which secures the fastener  200  to the mating structure  310 . Optionally, the mating structure  310  may include complementary detent features that interface with the detent features  410  of the shaft  204  to enhance the retention force between the fastener  200  and the mating structure  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the complementary detent features in the mating structure  310  may be depressions or grooves that are sized and positioned to receive the detent protrusions  410  therein when the scrivet fastener  200  achieves the fully loaded position. In an alternative embodiment, the detent features on the shaft  204  may be depressions or grooves, and the complementary detent features in the mating structure  310  may be protrusions or annular ribs/ridges that are received into the depressions or grooves. 
       FIG.  7    is an isometric view of the scrivet fastener  200  according to a second alternative embodiment. The scrivet fastener  200  in  FIG.  7    has the same head  202  and shaft  204  as the scrivet fastener  200  shown in  FIGS.  2  through  4   . The compliant retention flange  206  differs from the retention flange  206  in  FIGS.  2  through  6    because the flange  206  does not include multiple flexible tabs separated by recesses (or cutouts). The retention flange  206  in the illustrated embodiment is a thin, circular disc  440 . The disc  440  is flexible to deflect upon entering the hole  302  in the panel  304 , similar to the tabs  224  of the flange  206  shown in  FIG.  3   . The disc  440  may have a curved edge  442  at a perimeter end  444  of the disc  440 , which functions as a lead-in surface similar to the curved edges  324  of the tabs  224 . The perimeter end  444  of the disc  440  may extend into the deformable material  316  of the panel  304  when the scrivet fastener  200  is in the fully loaded position to secure the scrivet fastener  200  to the panel  304 , similar to the scrivet fastener  200  shown in  FIG.  4   . Optionally, the disc  440  represents the retention flange  206  shown in  FIGS.  2  through  6    formed without the recesses  226  that define the tabs  224 . 
     The scrivet fastener  200  according to other embodiments may include combinations of the embodiments described herein. For example, a third alternative embodiment of the scrivet fastener  200  may have the bifurcated distal segment  214  shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6    with the disc-shaped retention flange  206  shown in  FIG.  7   . The distal section of the scrivet fastener  200  in another embodiment may include the detent features  410  of  FIGS.  5  and  6    without being bifurcated. 
       FIG.  8    is a flow chart  500  of a method for coupling a panel to a mating structure according to an embodiment. The method may include more steps, fewer steps, and/or different steps than shown in the flow chart  500 . Furthermore, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order than the chronological order presented in  FIG.  8    unless specified. The method includes, at step  502 , aligning a first hole  302  defined in a panel  304  with second hole  352  defined in a mating structure  310 . The panel  304  includes a deformable material  316 . 
     At step  504 , a scrivet fastener  200  is inserted into the first and second holes  302 ,  352  to couple the panel  304  to the mating structure  310 , at least temporarily. The scrivet fastener  200  includes a head  202 , a shaft  204 , and a compliant retention flange  206 . The shaft  204  extends from the head  202  to a distal end  208  of the shaft  204 . The compliant retention flange  206  extends radially outward from the shaft  204  and is axially spaced apart from the head  202 . The scrivet fastener  200  is inserted such that the shaft  204  and the compliant retention flange  206  are received within the first hole  302  of the panel  304 , and the compliant retention flange  206  engages the deformable material  316  of the panel  304  within the first hole  302 . Optionally, the retention flange  206  has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first hole  302  in the panel  304 , and inserting the scrivet fastener  200  causes at least a portion of the retention flange  206  to deflect towards the head  202  upon entering the first hole  302 . As the scrivet fastener  200  moves to a fully loaded position, the retention flange  206  is permitted to move distally from the deflected state and engage (e.g., penetrate) an inner surface  322  of the deformable material  316  to secure the scrivet fastener  200  to the panel  304 . 
     The scrivet fastener  200  is inserted such that a distal section  214  of the shaft  204  is received into the second hole  352  of the mating structure  310 . The distal section  214  secures to the mating structure  310  to couple the panel  304  to the mating structure  310 . The distal section  214  may include a cylindrical bearing surface  212 , and the scrivet fastener  200  is inserted such that the cylindrical bearing surface  212  friction-fit couples to an inner surface  360  of the mating structure  310 . The inner surface  360  defines the second hole  352 . 
     In an embodiment, the scrivet fastener  200  is one of a plurality of scrivet fasteners. At step  506 , a second scrivet fastener  200  (as needed) of the scrivet fasteners is inserted into a second set of holes defined in the panel  304  and the mating structure  310 , which align with each other. The second set may include a third hole that is defined in the panel  304 , and a fourth hole that is defined in the mating structure  310 . The second scrivet fastener  200  is inserted into the second set of holes to couple the panel  304  to the mating structure  310  at a location spaced apart from the first scrivet fastener  200 . The insertion steps  504  and  506  can be repeated until there is enough installed fasteners  200  to sufficiently couple the panel  304  to the mating structure  310 . 
     At step  508 , to remove the panel  304  from the mating structure  310 , the panel  304  is pulled away from the mating structure  310  such that a force exerted by the panel  304  on the head  202  of each scrivet fastener  200  pulls the distal section  214  of the respective shaft  204  out of the second hole  352  of the mating structure  310 . For example, the force exerted on the panel  304  in a direction away from the mating structure  310  has at least a threshold magnitude that overcomes the retention forces between the distal sections  214  of the shafts  204  and the second holes  352  of the mating structure  310 . The panel  304  may be pulled up from an edge and/or corner, such that only one or a few scrivet fasteners  200  are disconnected from the mating structure  310  at a time as the portion of the panel  304  uncoupled from the mating structure  310  progressively increases. When the scrivet fasteners  200  separate from the mating structure  310 , the panel  304  is effectively uncoupled from the mating structure  310 . In an embodiment, the scrivet fasteners  200  remain secured to the panel  304  due to the compliant retention flanges  206 . 
     At step  510 , the scrivet fastener  200  is extracted from the first hole  302  of the panel  304  by exerting a removal load on the scrivet fastener  200  that deflects the compliant retention flange  206  without damaging the scrivet fastener  200 . When the scrivet fasteners  200  are disconnected from the panel  304 , the fasteners  200  can be collected in a container and saved for future use. For example, one scrivet fastener  200  that is removed from a first panel and a first mating structure and be reused to couple a second panel to a second mating structure. The shaft  204  of that scrivet fastener  200  can be inserted into a first hole in the second panel and a second hole in the second mating structure. The compliant retention flange secures to a deformable material of the second panel, and the distal section (e.g., distal end) of the shaft  204  secures to the second mating structure within the second hole. The scrivet fasteners  200  according to the embodiments described herein are reusable, simple to install and uninstall, provide satisfactory retention to the mating structure  310  to avoid unintentional uncoupling of the panel  304  from the mating structure  310 , and avoid contributing to FOD. 
       FIG.  9    is a first isometric view of a scrivet fastener  600  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  10    is a second isometric view of the scrivet fastener  600  shown in  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  11    is a side view of the scrivet fastener  600  of  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  12    is a top-down plan view of the scrivet fastener  600  of  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  13    is a bottom-up plan view of the scrivet fastener  600  of  FIG.  9   . 
     Clause 1: A scrivet fastener for coupling a panel to a mating structure, the scrivet fastener comprising: 
     a head; 
     a shaft extending from the head to a distal end of the shaft; and 
     a compliant retention flange extending radially outward from the shaft and axially spaced apart from the head, 
     wherein the scrivet fastener is configured to at least temporarily couple the panel to the mating structure, such that the distal end of the shaft is secured to a hole of the mating structure and the compliant retention flange is secured to a deformable material of the panel. 
     Clause 2. The scrivet fastener of Clause 1, wherein a distal section of the shaft has a cylindrical bearing surface configured to friction fit couple to the mating structure within the hole. 
     Clause 3. The scrivet fastener of Clause 1 or Clause 2, wherein a distal section of the shaft includes at least one detent feature. 
     Clause 4. The scrivet fastener of any of Clauses 1-3, wherein a distal section of the shaft is bifurcated. 
     Clause 5. The scrivet fastener of any of Clauses 1-4, wherein the shaft includes a neck section axially disposed between a distal section of the shaft and the compliant retention flange, the neck section being narrower than the distal section. 
     Clause 6. The scrivet fastener of any of Clauses 1-5, wherein the shaft and the compliant retention flange are configured to be received within a panel hole defined by the panel, the compliant retention flange having a diameter greater than a diameter of an opening of the panel hole to cause at least a portion of the compliant retention flange to deflect upon entering the panel hole. 
     Clause 7. The scrivet fastener of any of Clauses 1-6, wherein the compliant retention flange includes at least two flexible tabs circumferentially spaced apart from one another for engaging with the deformable material of the panel. 
     Clause 8. The scrivet fastener of Clause 7, wherein the compliant retention flange includes at least three flexible tabs radially projecting in different directions within a common plane. 
     Clause 9. The scrivet fastener of Clause 7 or Clause 8, wherein each of the at least two flexible tabs comprises a curved edge at an end of the flexible tab. 
     Clause 10. The scrivet fastener of any of Clauses 7-9, wherein each of the at least two flexible tabs is deflectable towards the head when inserting the scrivet fastener to secure the panel to the mating structure. 
     Clause 11. The scrivet fastener of any of Clauses 1-10, wherein the head, the shaft, and the compliant retention flange are comprised of a unitary, monolithic body. 
     Clause 12. A method for coupling a panel to a mating structure, the method comprising: 
     aligning a first hole defined in the panel with a second hole defined in the mating structure, the panel comprising a deformable material; and 
     inserting a scrivet fastener into the first and second holes to couple the panel to the mating structure, the scrivet fastener including a head, a shaft, and a compliant retention flange, the shaft extending from the head to a distal end of the shaft, the compliant retention flange extending radially outward from the shaft and axially spaced apart from the head, 
     wherein the scrivet fastener is inserted such that the compliant retention flange secures to the deformable material of the panel within the first hole and a distal section of the shaft secures to the mating structure within the second hole to couple the panel to the mating structure. 
     Clause 13. The method of Clause 12, wherein the scrivet fastener is a first scrivet fastener of a plurality of scrivet fasteners, and the method comprises inserting a second scrivet fastener of the plurality of scrivet fasteners into a third hole defined in the panel and a fourth hole defined in the mating structure to couple the panel to the mating structure at a location spaced apart from the first scrivet fastener. 
     Clause 14. The method of Clause 12 or Clause 13, further comprising pulling the panel away from the mating structure such that a force exerted by the panel on the head of the scrivet fastener pulls the distal section of the shaft out of the second hole of the mating structure to uncouple the panel from the mating structure such that the scrivet fastener remains attached to the panel via the compliant retention flange being secured to the deformable material. 
     Clause 15. The method of Clause 14, further comprising extracting the scrivet fastener from the first hole of the panel by exerting a removal load on the scrivet fastener that deflects the compliant retention flange to unsecure the compliant retention flange from the deformable material of the panel without permanently damaging the scrivet fastener. 
     Clause 16. The method of Clause 15, further comprising inserting the scrivet fastener into a first hole of a second panel and a second hole of a second mating structure to couple together the second panel and the second mating structure. 
     Clause 17. The method of any of Clauses 12-16, wherein inserting the scrivet fastener comprises friction-fit coupling a cylindrical bearing surface of the distal section of the shaft to an inner surface of the mating structure that defines the second hole. 
     Clause 18. A coupling assembly comprising: 
     a panel that includes a deformable material; 
     a mating structure that defines a plurality of holes that extend into the mating structure; and 
     a plurality of scrivet fasteners that at least temporarily couple the panel to the mating structure, each of the scrivet fasteners comprising:
         a head;   a shaft extending from the head to a distal end of the shaft; and   a compliant retention flange extending radially outward from the shaft and axially spaced apart from the head,       

     wherein the distal ends of the shafts are secured to the holes of the mating structure and the compliant retention flanges are secured to the deformable material of the panel. 
     Clause 19. The coupling assembly of Clause 18, wherein the mating structure is a floor panel within an internal cabin of a vehicle, and the panel is a floor cover. 
     Clause 20. The coupling assembly of Clause 18 or Clause 19, wherein, when a pulling force is exerted on the panel in a direction away from the mating structure with at least a threshold magnitude, the distal ends of the scrivet fasteners exit the holes of the mating structure, and the compliant retention flanges remain secured to the deformable material of the panel. 
     While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like can be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like. 
     As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein. 
     As used herein, approximating value modifiers such as “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” and “approximately” inserted before a numerical value indicate that the value can represent other values within a designated threshold range above and/or below the specified value without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it may be related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” and “approximately,” may be not to be limited to the precise value specified. The approximating terms may indicate inclusion of values within a designated threshold margin of the precise value. The threshold margin may be plus/minus 3% of the precise value, plus/minus 5% of the precise value, plus/minus 10% of the precise value, or the like. Two items or axes that are generally parallel can be angled within 3 degrees of each other in one example, within 5 degrees of each other in a second example, and within 10 degrees of each other in a third example. 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the disclosure without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims and the detailed description herein, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.