Patent ID: 7549830

Claim:
A w-base fastener comprising: a fastener body defining a first end and a second end, the first end including a retainer, a head formed with the second end of the fastener body, a plurality of legs joined at a common end which defines a pointed tip configured to facilitate insertion of the fastener into a mating hole, the common end forming a hole for receiving the retainer, each leg including a distal end spaced away from the common end, each distal end being configured and adapted to be completely received within the mating hole; and a plurality of tethers, each tether having a first end and a second end, the first ends connected to the plurality of legs near the distal ends and the second ends connected to the fastener body, wherein the second ends of the tethers are positioned closer to the head than the distal ends of the legs, whereby movement of the fastener body in one direction causes the tethers to move the plurality of legs outward with respect to the fastener body, and whereby movement of the fastener body in an opposite direction caused the tethers to move the plurality of legs inward with respect to the fastener body.