Patent ID: 7448823

Claim:
An apparatus for securing a first object having a first aperture to a second object having second and third apertures, said apparatus comprising: an elongated cylindrical pin having distal and proximal ends; a tubular receiver adapted to receive said distal end of said pin; wherein said receiver is adapted to couple to the second object adjacent to and aligned with the third aperture; a retainer coupled to said receiver; means for engaging said retainer positioned at said distal end of said pin; wherein said means for engaging said retainer is further positioned within the circumference of said pin; means for biasing said pin positioned at said proximal end of said pin; wherein the first aperture of the first object is secured between the second and third apertures of the second object when said pin is positioned in the first, second, and third apertures, said means for engaging is engaged to said retainer, and said pin is biased against the second object by said means for biasing; wherein said pin has a mid proximal position between said distal end and said proximal end; wherein said pin has a large diameter from said distal end to said mid proximal position of said pin; and wherein said pin has a small diameter less than said large diameter from said mid proximal position to said proximal end of said pin; and wherein an annular shoulder is formed at said mid proximal position of said pin; wherein said means for engaging said retainer comprises a plurality of retainer slots, positioned in said distal end of said pin; wherein each said retainer slot is configured to form a continuous J slot having a long leg and a short leg; wherein said long leg of said J slot is aligned longitudinally with said pin; wherein said long leg of said J slot is open at said distal end of said pin; wherein said short leg of said J slot is configured to extend partially toward said distal end of said pin; wherein said J slot is further adapted to engage said retainer; and wherein said distal end of said pin engages said retainer when said short leg of said J slot is aligned with said retainer and said pin is biased against the second object by said means for biasing; wherein said receiver comprises a tubular receiver sleeve having distal and proximal ends; wherein said receiver sleeve is adapted to align with the third aperture of the second object; and wherein said proximal end of said receiver sleeve is adapted to couple to the second object.