Patent Description:
Fasteners for securing a part to a panel are known. However, prior art fasteners require access to the head of the fastener to secure or release the fastener, and thus the panel from the part. Furthermore, while prior art fasteners enable easy assembly of a part to a panel, they do not facilitate easy disassembly of the part from the panel. This is particularly problematic if the fastener is secured within a cavity of a part such as exterior trim of a vehicle and mounted to an interior panel of the vehicle door, as the head of the fastener will be contained within the assembled vehicle door and therefore be inaccessible to the user. The user is thus unable to remove the panel without significant risk of damaging the panel and/or the part in the process.

<CIT> discusses a fastener for detachably fastening two workpieces together in non-rotative relation. <CIT> discloses a known fastener.

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least some of these issues.

Viewed from a first aspect, the present invention provides a fastener for securing a part to a panel in accordance with claim <NUM>. The fastener comprising a head configured to be anchored to the part, and a locking member extending from the head to a distal end. The locking member comprises at least one protrusion spaced from the head, and a tool engaging head at the distal end. In use, the locking member extends through an opening of the panel such that the head is retained on a first side of the panel, the distal end is disposed on a second side of the panel, and the at least one protrusion abuts the second side of the panel to secure the panel to the fastener. The fastener comprises a resiliently deformable portion arranged such that rotation of the tool engaging head deforms the resiliently deformable portion and moves the at least one protrusion out of abutment with the second side of the panel to release the panel from the fastener. The head comprises a linkage. The linkage comprises the resiliently deformable portion. The locking member is joined to the head by the linkage within the head.

Thus, the present invention provides a fastener which can be accessed from the distal end of the fastener, where the panel is attached. This advantageously provides a way to release the panel from the fastener when access to the head of the fastener is restricted, such as when securing an external vehicle trim part to a vehicle door panel.

In various examples, each of the locking member, the linkage, and the head may have a resiliently deformable portion.

The at least one protrusion may have an inclined surface, and, when the locking member passes through the opening in the panel during use, the inclined surface is configured to engage an edge of the opening of the panel and move the at least one protrusion for securing the panel to the fastener. Such movement is caused be deforming the resiliently deformable portion. Hence, the fastener can be secured to the panel without using a tool.

The head may be received within a cavity of the part to anchor the fastener to the part. The head may comprise an anchor portion arranged to engage the cavity of the part to anchor the fastener to the part. The anchor portion may be configured, for example shaped, to prevent rotation of the anchor portion relative to the part.

The fastener may comprise one or more ridges formed on the head. The one or more ridges may be arranged to abut an inner surface of the cavity. The ridges may be arranged to increase anchorage of the head to the cavity, and to prevent rotation of the head relative to the part.

The tool engaging head may comprise a female part, for example a recess or a socket, for receiving the tool. Alternatively the tool engaging head may comprise a male part, for example a protrusion for engaging a spanner or socket tool. Suitable tool heads include a flat-headed screwdriver, a cross-headed screwdriver, a Torx-headed screwdriver, an allen key, a spanner, a socket wrench, or any similar such tool.

The head may comprise a second tool engaging head arranged such that, in use, the second tool engaging head is disposed on the first side of the panel, and rotation of the second tool engaging head is configured to move the at least one protrusion out of abutment with the second side of the panel to release the panel from the fastener. In this example, the fastener comprises first and second tool engaging heads arranged on opposite sides of the fastener, so that the fastener can be detached from the panel from either side of the panel.

The fastener may comprise a cage configured to partially surround the locking member. The cage preferably comprises an inclined surface for guiding the locking member through the slot of the panel.

The cage may comprise a side wall having an opening formed therein. The at least one protrusion may be arranged to extend at least partially through the opening to engage the second side of the panel in use. The opening may be arranged to limit movement of the at least one protrusion when the tool engaging head or the second tool engaging head is rotated.

The cage may comprise a distal end and the distal end of the locking member may be rotatably coupled to the distal end of the cage. This advantageously keeps the locking member aligned within the cage such that the locking member rotates about a central axis of the fastener.

The cage may comprise a resiliently biased member extending from the distal end of the cage towards the head. The locking member may be configured to engage the resiliently biased member such that the resiliently biased member resists rotation of the locking member. A deformable torsion spring is one example of a resiliently biased member.

In some examples, the distal end of the locking member comprises first and second resiliently biased segments, wherein the first and second segments are biased apart from one another. The distal end of the cage may comprise an opening for receiving the first and second segments, and, upon passing the first and second segments through the opening of the distal end of the cage, the first and second segments may be configured to deform towards the central axis of the fastener.

The fastener may comprise a nub formed on at least one of the first and second segments. The nub may be configured to engage a strut of the cage so as to secure the locking member to the cage. The nub may comprise an inclined surface configured to guide the distal end of the locking member through the opening of the distal end of the cage.

The fastener may comprise a seal configured to abut the first side of the panel.

In various examples the cage may comprise the seal, or the head may comprise the seal, or the locking member may comprise the seal, or the seal may be a separate component that is attachable to the cage or head or positionable between the head and the second side of the panel.

Viewed from a further independent aspect, the present invention provides a part comprising an opening and a fastener as described above anchored thereto.

The part may comprise a side trim for a vehicle door and the panel may comprise a part of the vehicle, in particular the vehicle door.

<FIG> illustrate perspective views of an exemplary assembly <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a fastener <NUM> for securing a part <NUM> to a panel <NUM>. The panel has a first side 32A on which the part <NUM> is disposed, a second side 32B, and an opening <NUM> through which a portion of the fastener <NUM> extends. The fastener <NUM> is slid into the part <NUM> via the opening in the part <NUM> and the slot <NUM> formed in the side wall of the part <NUM>. In some examples, the part <NUM> is formed in a vehicle door protector.

<FIG> illustrate perspective exploded views of an exemplary fastener <NUM> including a locking member <NUM> and a cage <NUM> partially surrounding the locking member <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> and cage <NUM> are secured to one another via mechanical means that will be described later. Whilst a fastener comprising a locking member <NUM> and a cage <NUM> are shown, both components are not essential for the fastener <NUM>. In some cases, the fastener may only include the locking member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate perspective and plan views of an exemplary cage <NUM>. The cage <NUM> has a recess <NUM> at a proximal end for receiving a portion of the locking member <NUM> and a body <NUM> extending away from the proximal end to a distal end <NUM>. The body includes side walls <NUM> which, when the cage <NUM> is secured to the locking member <NUM>, partially surround the locking member <NUM>. Two opposed side walls <NUM> of the body <NUM> have openings <NUM> through which the protrusions <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the locking member <NUM> can extend. The openings <NUM> are also arranged to limit the movement of the protrusions <NUM> in a chosen direction, clockwise as shown in <FIG>, as the protrusions <NUM> will contact an edge of the opening <NUM> if rotated excessively a clockwise direction.

The distal end <NUM> of the cage <NUM> also includes inclined side walls <NUM> that help guide the fastener <NUM> into the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM>. The inclined side walls <NUM> are inclined towards a central axis <NUM> of the fastener <NUM>. The cage <NUM> also includes a torsion spring <NUM> extending from the distal end <NUM> to the proximal end. The torsion spring <NUM> is formed on a strut <NUM> extending between the side walls <NUM> of the cage <NUM> and is configured to engage the locking member <NUM>. As is illustrated in <FIG>, the locking member <NUM> has a cavity <NUM> for receiving the torsion spring <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> is biased to a locked position where the protrusions <NUM> are in contact with the panel <NUM>, and therefore provides a restoring force on the protrusions <NUM> when the locking member <NUM> is rotated to release the panel <NUM> from the fastener <NUM>. The cage <NUM> also includes first 54A and second 54B seals. The first seal 54A is arranged to contact a corresponding seal <NUM> on the locking member <NUM> and the second seal 54B is arranged to contact the first side 32A of the panel <NUM>. Together, the seals 54A, 54B provide a sealed connection between the fastener <NUM> and the panel <NUM>. Any of the seals 54A, 54B, <NUM> may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer.

<FIG> illustrate perspective and side views of an exemplary locking member <NUM>. The illustrated locking member <NUM> includes a head <NUM>, a seal <NUM>, a neck <NUM> between the head <NUM> and the seal <NUM>, an elongate section <NUM> and two protrusions <NUM> formed on the elongate section <NUM>. A recess <NUM> is provided between the seal <NUM> and the protrusions <NUM> for receiving the panel <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> have a first inclined surface <NUM> which facilitate insertion of the fastener <NUM> into the opening <NUM> of the panel <NUM> and a second inclined surface <NUM> arranged to abut the second side 32B of the panel <NUM> to secure the panel <NUM> to the fastener <NUM>. The elongate section <NUM> extends from the head <NUM> to a distal end which has an cavity <NUM> for receiving the torsion spring <NUM>. The distal end of the elongate section <NUM> is split into two segments 85A, 85B in order to allow the strut <NUM> of the cage <NUM> to pass through the distal end of the elongate portion <NUM>.

As the cage <NUM> is mounted to the elongate portion <NUM>, the distal segments 85A, 85B pass around the strut <NUM> of the cage <NUM> and partially surround the strut <NUM>. As the cage <NUM> is pressed further onto the locking member <NUM>, the distal segments 85A, 85B are pressed against the side walls <NUM> of the cage <NUM> and bend towards a central axis <NUM> of the fastener <NUM>. As the distal segments 85A, 85B are resiliently biased, once the distal segments 85A, 85B have passed through the cage <NUM> and are disposed within the end opening <NUM> of the cage <NUM>, the distal segments 85A, 85B will restore to their original position and define a tool engaging head <NUM> for receiving a suitable tool <NUM> (see <FIG>) for operating the fastener <NUM>. A nub <NUM> formed on each of the first 85A and second 85B distal segments is arranged to engage with a respective side wall <NUM> once the cage <NUM> is mounted to the locking member <NUM> (see <FIG>). Whilst the nubs <NUM> engage with the side wall <NUM> as a cantilever joint, it would be apparent this was not essential and other joints would be suitable for use with the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the locking member <NUM> includes a second tool engaging head <NUM> formed in the head <NUM>. However, whilst it is advantageous to provide a tool engaging head <NUM> on the head <NUM>, this is not essential to the present invention. In some cases, the second tool engaging head <NUM> may have the same profile as the first tool engaging head <NUM> or a different profile to the first tool engaging head <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate perspective views of an exemplary fastener <NUM> having a panel <NUM> attached thereto. The part <NUM> is brought to the sheet <NUM> and the distal end of the fastener <NUM> is guided through the corresponding opening <NUM> in the panel <NUM> by the inclined surfaces on the distal end <NUM> of the cage <NUM>. As the fastener <NUM> is pressed against the panel <NUM>, an edge of the opening <NUM> will press against the inclined surface <NUM> and move the protrusions <NUM>, allowing the fastener <NUM> to pass through the opening <NUM>. Once the protrusions <NUM> have passed through the opening <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the edge of the opening <NUM> will disengage from the inclined surface <NUM> and the torsion spring <NUM> will restore the protrusions <NUM> to the locked position, such that a second inclined surface <NUM> of the protrusions <NUM> abut the second side 32B of the panel <NUM> to secure the panel <NUM> to the fastener <NUM>. While one fastener <NUM> is shown attached to the part <NUM>, it would be apparent that a plurality of fasteners <NUM> may be used to secure the part <NUM> to a panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, once the panel <NUM> is secured to the fastener <NUM>, the second seal 54B abuts the first side 32A of the panel <NUM> and the inclined surface <NUM> of the protrusions <NUM> abut against the second side 32B of the panel <NUM>. This prevents the panel <NUM> from being pulled off easily from the fastener <NUM>. As illustrated, the head is disposed on the first side 32A of the panel <NUM> and the tool engaging head <NUM> is disposed on the opposite side of the panel. This allows an operator to release the fastener <NUM>, and therefore part <NUM>, from the panel <NUM> without needing to access the head of the fastener <NUM>. This is particularly advantageous when the user is, for example, mounting external door trim to an interior door panel of a vehicle, as the head of the fastener will be inaccessible to the user once the trim is secured to the door panel. In this case, the user can access the tool engaging head <NUM> from the interior of the vehicle, as the distal end of the fastener <NUM> will remain accessible once the trim is mounted to the door panel.

<FIG> illustrate a method of releasing a panel <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a panel <NUM> mounted to the part <NUM> by a fastener <NUM> as described above. A tool <NUM> having a tool head <NUM> that corresponds to the tool engaging head <NUM> may be inserted into the tool engaging head <NUM> of the fastener <NUM> to release the panel <NUM>. Once the tool head <NUM> is inserted into the tool engaging head <NUM>, the tool can be operated to move the protrusions <NUM> within the cage <NUM> and allow the panel <NUM> to be separated from the fastener <NUM>. One exemplary method of operating the tool is to rotate the tool <NUM> by approximately <NUM> degrees. While a Torx-headed tool is shown, it would be apparent this was not essential, and any tool profile that corresponds to the tool engaging head <NUM> would be suitable for use with the present invention.

<FIG> illustrate cross-sectional plan views of an exemplary head <NUM>. The head includes an anchoring portion <NUM> secured to the neck <NUM> of the locking member <NUM>, a wall <NUM> and a linkage <NUM> connecting the anchoring portion <NUM> to the wall <NUM>. As the tool engaging head <NUM> rotates to the unlocked position (as shown in <FIG>), this causes the anchoring portion <NUM> to rotate by a similar amount. As the wall <NUM> and linkage <NUM> are resiliently deformable, rotation of the anchoring portion <NUM> deforms the linkage <NUM> and wall <NUM> within the cavity <NUM>. Similarly, rotation of the tool engaging head <NUM> deforms the torsion spring <NUM> contained within the elongate portion <NUM>. The deformation of the linkage <NUM>, wall <NUM> and torsion spring <NUM> provide a resistive force to the rotation of the tool engaging head <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> the part <NUM> may have an opening to provide access to the cavity <NUM> for housing the head <NUM> of the fastener <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, an internal surface of the cavity <NUM> may have a series of ribs <NUM> formed thereon arranged to abut against the head <NUM> when inserted into the cavity <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the head <NUM> also includes a series of ridges formed thereon for abutting against the internal surface of the cavity <NUM>. The combined effect of the ridges <NUM> and ribs <NUM> are that the head <NUM> is secured in the correct position within the cavity <NUM> and also that the head <NUM> remains substantially planar when deformed within the cavity <NUM>. The side wall 22A having the ribs <NUM> formed thereon also includes an opening <NUM> for receiving a tool for engaging the second tool engaging head <NUM> of the fastener <NUM>. The second opening <NUM> is not essential for the present invention.

A second side wall 22B of the part <NUM> also includes a slot <NUM> for receiving the neck <NUM> of the locking member <NUM>. As shown, the slot <NUM> has a first section through which the neck <NUM> extends when the head <NUM> is anchored to the part <NUM>, and a second section adjacent the first section through which the neck <NUM> can pass to release the fastener <NUM> from the part <NUM>. The second side wall of the part 22B includes a pair of nubs <NUM> which defines a narrowed section of slot <NUM> compared to the first section which constrains the neck <NUM> to the first section of the slot <NUM>. As the neck <NUM> slides through the narrowed section, side wall 22B deforms to allow the neck <NUM> to slide between the first and second sections of the slot <NUM>. This advantageously allows the fasteners <NUM> to be re-used, as they can be easily removed from the part <NUM>. The second section also includes a tapered section which facilitates the entry of the neck <NUM> into the slot <NUM>. The tapered section widens towards the opening of the cavity <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cavity <NUM> has a tapered inner wall <NUM>. The tapered inner wall <NUM> advantageously provides greater tolerance of manufacturing variability, as manufacturing variability will produce heads with slightly different dimensions. As it is important to maintain a tight fit between the head <NUM> and the part <NUM>, it is necessary to account for such variability. Once the head <NUM> is slid into the cavity <NUM>, the deformable wall <NUM> and linkage <NUM> may deform as needed to accommodate variations in head <NUM> size so that the head <NUM> can remain anchored to the part <NUM>. The anchor portion <NUM> is also shaped to be relatively stiff compared to the wall <NUM> and linkage <NUM> such that deformation of the head <NUM> is substantially limited to the wall <NUM> and the linkage <NUM>. Furthermore, the first section of the slot <NUM> may have an obround profile to allow for some movement of the head <NUM> within the cavity <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> in the direction of the slot <NUM>, to provide additional flexibility with regard to manufacturing variability.

Claim 1:
A fastener (<NUM>) for securing a part (<NUM>) to a panel (<NUM>), the fastener (<NUM>) comprising:
a head (<NUM>) configured to be anchored to the part (<NUM>), and
a locking member (<NUM>) extending from the head (<NUM>) to a distal end, the locking member (<NUM>) comprising:
at least one protrusion (<NUM>) spaced from the head (<NUM>), and
a tool engaging head (<NUM>) at the distal end,
wherein, in use, the locking member (<NUM>) extends through an opening (<NUM>) of the panel (<NUM>) such that the head (<NUM>) is retained on a first side (32A) of the panel (<NUM>), the distal end is disposed on a second side (32B) of the panel (<NUM>), and the at least one protrusion (<NUM>) abuts the second side (32B) of the panel (<NUM>) to secure the panel (<NUM>) to the fastener (<NUM>);
wherein the fastener (<NUM>) comprises a resiliently deformable portion arranged such that rotation of the tool engaging head (<NUM>) deforms the resiliently deformable portion and moves the at least one protrusion (<NUM>) out of abutment with the second side (32B) of the panel (<NUM>) to release the panel (<NUM>) from the fastener (<NUM>); and
characterised in that the head (<NUM>) comprises a linkage (<NUM>), wherein the linkage (<NUM>) comprises the resiliently deformable portion, and
in that the locking member (<NUM>) is joined to the head (<NUM>) by the linkage within the head (<NUM>).