Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Fastener for operatively coupling matable components

a technology of coupling components and fasteners, which is applied in the direction of fasteners, pins, press-button fasteners, etc., can solve the problems of undesirable effects, large and varied gaps, unsatisfactory fit, and poor perceived quality

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-06-18
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
View PDF6 Cites 9 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a fastener for coupling matable components that can elastically deform and align with the components, allowing them to be securely attached. The fastener has a base and a protrusion made of elastic material that can deform when inserted through the components' apertures. The components can be easily and securely connected using this fastener. Additionally, an elastic retaining assembly is also provided for matable components, which includes a base and at least one protrusion that can deform and align with the components' apertures, ensuring a secure attachment.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, occurrence of significant positional variations between the mated components is possible, which may contribute to the presence of undesirably large and varying gaps and otherwise poor fit.
The clearance between the aligning and attaching features may lead to relative motion between mated components, which contribute to poor perceived quality.
Additional undesirable effects may include squeaking and rattling of the mated components, for example.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Fastener for operatively coupling matable components
  • Fastener for operatively coupling matable components
  • Fastener for operatively coupling matable components

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0019]Referring to FIG. 1, a fastener 10 is illustrated according to a The fastener 10 is at least partially formed of an elastically deformable material, as will be described in detail below. The fastener 10 includes a base portion 12 having a first side 14 and a second side 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 12 is a substantially planar member, with both the first side 14 and the second side 16 comprising relatively flat surfaces. However, it is to be appreciated that non-planar geometries are contemplated and would be suitable for certain applications. The fastener 10 also includes a protrusion 18 extending from the first side 14 of the base portion 12. The protrusion 18 is a relatively spherical, solid member. Typically, the fastener 10 is a single, integrally formed component, such as a molded component, but it is contemplated that the protrusion 18 and the base portion 12 may be operatively coupled to each other.

second embodiment

[0020]Referring to FIG. 2, the fastener 10 is illustrated to emphasize that numerous other geometries and configurations may be employed to construct the fastener 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a standoff 17 in the form of a non-planar member is shown. The standoff 17 is disposed between the base portion 12 and the protrusion 18. The standoff 17 is formed in a relatively trapezoidal manner, but alternative geometries may be suitable. Extending therefrom is the protrusion 18 comprising a relatively cylindrical member. It is to be understood that several other protrusion geometries may be employed, such as a “teardrop,” a pin, a multi-lobular member (i.e., multiple lobes of the structure), etc. Furthermore, as exemplified by the illustrated and herein-described embodiments, the protrusion 18 may be hollow or solid. The standoff 17 spaces the protrusion 18 from the base portion 12 to account for relatively thick mating components that the fastener 10 is used with.

[0021]Any suitable...

fourth embodiment

[0031]Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a third and fourth embodiment, respectively, of the fastener 10 are illustrated in detail. In the illustrated embodiments, the fastener 10 includes a base portion 12 having a first and second side 14, 16, as described in detail above. Rather than having a single protrusion extending from one of the first and second side 14, 16, the illustrated embodiments include a first protrusion 40 and a second protrusion 42. The first protrusion 40 extends from the first side 14 of the base portion 12 and the second protrusion 42 extends from the second side 16 of the base portion 12. Instead of mating components that are positioned on one side of the base portion 12, the illustrated embodiments operatively couple components disposed on opposite sides of the base portion 12. Specifically, the first protrusion 40 is configured to engage the first component 20 by inserting through the first aperture 24, while the second protrusion 42 is configured to engage the se...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A fastener for operatively coupling matable components is provided. The fastener includes a base portion. The fastener also includes a protrusion extending from the base portion, wherein the protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon insertion through a first aperture of a first matable component and a second aperture of a second matable component, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a mechanical fastener, and more particularly to an elastically deformable fastener for coupling matable components.BACKGROUND[0002]Currently, components which are to be mated together in a manufacturing process are subject to positional variation based on the mating arrangements between the components. One common arrangement includes components mutually located with respect to each other by 2-way and / or 4-way male alignment features; typically undersized structures which are received into corresponding oversized female alignment features such as apertures in the form of openings and / or slots. Alternatively, double-sided tape, adhesives or welding processes may be employed to mate parts. Irrespective of the precise mating arrangement, there is a clearance between at least a portion of the alignment features which is predetermined to match anticipated size and positional variation tolerances of the mating features as a result of man...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A44B17/00
CPCA44B17/0076A44B17/007F16B5/10F16B19/002F16B5/0628F16B21/086Y10T24/45257
Inventor MORRIS, STEVEN E.LAWALL, JENNIFER P.
Owner GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC