fastener

Abstract

A fastener for securing a sheet member, the fastener comprising a body including a pair of elastically deformable arms arranged to extend through an opening in the sheet member during use, and a pin rotatably mounted within the body and including a pair of locking legs. The pin is rotatable between an unlocked position in which the retention arms are deformable to pass through the opening in the sheet member, and a locked position in which the locking legs engage with the retention arms to limit deformation of the retention arms and secure the fastener to the sheet member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fastener system for joining two structures (e.g., a plastic panel and a sheet metal). Specifically, the invention provides a fastening scheme for one or more plastic panels and a sheet metal (e.g., having a wide thickness range of 0.7 mm to 2.0 mm), thus allowing for relatively large tolerances (e.g., + / - 1.0 mm) in the pre-assembly of the plastic panel along both axes, thereby minimizing the required space, assembly weight, and time required for final assembly with the sheet metal. Background Technology

[0002] Rivets or scrivets can be used to secure plastic panels to sheet metal. However, these fasteners require assembly during the process of attaching the plastic panel to the sheet metal because the rivet or scrivet needs to be positioned through both parts and then tightened (i.e., removing the pin from the rivet or screwing a screw into the scrivet). Additionally, if the rivet or scrivet is to be pre-assembled to one of these parts, it requires space, and in this case, there is a risk that the rivet or scrivet may break before being secured to the other part.

[0003] Other known fasteners for securing plastic panels to sheet metal include screw-on methods, such as expanded grommets. Expanded grommets can be pre-attached (i.e., pre-installed) to sheet metal or plastic panels. However, tolerances can be limited, and metal screws are typically required for securing, resulting in greater weight and longer assembly times. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention, a fastener for securing a sheet metal component is provided, the fastener comprising: a body including a pair of resiliently deformable arms arranged to extend through an opening in the sheet metal component during use; and a pin rotatably mounted in the body and including a pair of locking legs, the pin being rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein in the unlocked position the retaining arms are deformable to pass through the opening in the sheet metal component, and in the locked position the locking legs engage with the retaining arms to limit deformation of the retaining arms and secure the fastener to the sheet metal component.

[0005] Each of the retaining arms may include a rib having a slot formed thereon. The slot may be configured to receive a corresponding locking leg of the pin when the pin is rotated to the locked position.

[0006] The body can be configured to attach to another sheet metal component, such that fasteners are used to secure the sheet metal component to the other sheet metal component. For example, the body may include a head portion and a tab, the tab being axially spaced from the head portion, such that a portion of the other sheet metal component can be received between the head portion and the tab to attach the fastener to the other sheet metal component. In some examples, the tab is shaped such that it can pass through a shaped opening in the other sheet metal component, and the body is rotatable to allow a portion of the other sheet metal component to move between the head portion and the tab. The tab may be generally square, and the opening in the other sheet metal component may be generally square. The other sheet metal component may include a recess extending from the opening to receive the tab.

[0007] Accordingly, the fastener can be pre-assembled with another sheet metal component by attaching the body to it using tabs. The pre-assembled component can then be attached to the sheet metal component by passing the retaining arm through an opening in the sheet metal component and rotating the pin.

[0008] The body may include a hole having a first cross-sectional profile. A locking leg may define a second cross-sectional profile corresponding to the first cross-sectional profile. In the unlocked position, the locking leg is capable of passing through the hole, allowing the pin to be disengaged from the body. This advantageously allows the body to be mounted to another sheet metal component independently of the pin. By providing a separable fastener, the retaining arm of the body can be pressed through the hole formed in the other sheet metal material by deforming as it passes through the hole, and snaps back into place once secured to the other sheet metal component.

[0009] The pin may include at least one protruding portion arranged to engage with the body when the pin is in the unlocked position, thereby retaining the pin within the body in the unlocked position. Thus, by passing the pin through an opening in the body and pressing it into place, the pin can be secured to the body after the body has been secured to another sheet metal component.

[0010] In another example, the present invention provides a sheet metal component including the fasteners described above, which are fixed to the sheet metal component.

[0011] In another example, a pre-assembled sheet is provided. The pre-assembled sheet includes: a sheet component having a hole formed thereon; and a fastener including a body having a head portion and a tab arranged through the hole such that when the body rotates within the hole, a portion of the sheet component is positioned between the head portion and the tab. The fastener is secured to the sheet component due to the contour and shape of the hole on the sheet component and the corresponding shapes of the head portion and the tab of the fastener. Preferably, the fastener is secured to the sheet component when the body rotates approximately 45 degrees within the hole. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the rivet fastener assembly of the present invention in use (i.e., connecting a plastic panel and a metal sheet), showing (a) a side view and (b) a cross-sectional side view.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates (a) a perspective view, (b) a front view, and (c) a top view of the locking element (i.e., the pin) of the rivet fastener assembly in Figure 1.

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates (a) a perspective view, (b) a front view, and (c) a cross-sectional view of the rivet retainer element of the rivet fastener assembly in Figure 1.

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates (a) a top view and (b) a bottom view of the rivet retainer element;

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates (a) a top view of the mounting holes of the metal sheet and (b) a top view of the rivet fastener assembly installed into the mounting holes.

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates (a) a bottom view of the mounting holes in the metal sheet and (b) a bottom view of the rivet fastener assembly installed in the mounting holes; and

[0019] Figure 7 shows a top and bottom view of a schematic illustration of an installed rivet fastener assembly as the locking element (or pin) is moved between (a) the locked position and (b) the unlocked position. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The described exemplary embodiments relate to a fastener assembly for use with vehicle components, and more particularly to a fastener assembly for securing sheet metal components. However, the invention is not limited to use with vehicle components, but can be used for any suitable fastening.

[0021] Some terms used in the following description are for convenience only and not restrictive. The terms “right,” “left,” “low,” “high,” “front,” “back,” “up,” “down,” “downward,” “above,” and “below” indicate directions referenced in the accompanying drawings and are relative to the components described during assembly and installation (e.g., in their original positions). The terms “inside,” “inward,” “outside,” and “outward” refer to directions toward and away from the specified centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described element, respectively, and their specific meanings are self-evident from the context of the description.

[0022] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “connected,” “attached,” “linked,” and “installed” are intended to include direct connections between two components without any other components inserted therebetween, as well as indirect connections between components in which one or more other components are inserted. The terms include those specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words with similar meanings.

[0023] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives, such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely indicates that different instances of similar objects are being referred to, and is not intended to imply that the objects described must be in a given sequence in time, space, hierarchy, or any other way.

[0024] In the description and claims of this specification, the terms "comprising" and "including," and variations thereof, are construed as meaning "including but not limited to," and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additions, components, integrals, or steps. In the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where indefinite articles are used, the specification should be understood to consider both the plural and singular forms unless the context requires otherwise.

[0025] All features and / or steps of any method or process so disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) may be combined in any combination unless at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or combination of novel features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, or drawings), or to any novel step or combination of novel steps in any method or process so disclosed.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the fastener assembly 10 is formed by a pin 20 and a body 40, which can selectively secure a plastic panel 12 to a sheet metal 5. An example of the pin 20 of the fastener assembly 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The pin 20 includes a head 22 with a hole or aperture 30 for receiving a suitable tool (not shown) to rotate the pin and lock or unlock the fastener assembly 10. The hole 30 may extend partially or completely through the depth of the head 22. Although the hole 30 shown has a hexagonal profile, this is clearly not necessary, and other profiles for corresponding tools would also be suitable for use with this fastener assembly 10. The tool simply allows the user to rotate the pin 20 within the body 40 to lock or unlock the fastener assembly 10.

[0027] The pin 20 further includes an elongated portion 24 extending along a longitudinal axis away from the head 22, the elongated portion 24 having four locking legs 26 extending away from the longitudinal axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (e.g., the central axis of the pin 20). Each of the locking legs 26 may include a ridge 28 formed thereon, and the ridge is configured to engage a corresponding recess 58 on the body 40 (see FIG. 3) when the fastener assembly 10 is in the locked configuration. Although the ridge 28 is illustrated as a straight ridge, it is clear that this is not necessary, and other profiles would also be suitable for use with this fastener assembly 10. Although the ridge 28 is illustrated as being adjacent to the distal end of the elongated portion 24, it is clear that this is not necessary, and the ridge 28 may be located at different positions and at different lengths along the abutment of the locking legs 26.

[0028] Four locking legs 26 extend in directions that are mutually (radially) perpendicular to each other to define a generally cross-shaped cross-sectional profile of the elongated portion 24. Although four locking legs 26 are shown, it is clear that this is not necessary, and more or fewer locking legs 26 would also be suitable for use with this fastener assembly 10. Furthermore, although in some cases it is desirable for the fastener assembly 10 to have an equal number of locking legs 26 as the retaining arms 46, this is not necessary. The elongated portion 24 is also illustrated to have a tapered profile, such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the elongated portion 24 increases as it extends away from the head 22 of the pin 20. Adjacent pairs of locking legs 26 define longitudinal recesses 34 in which a pair of nodular protrusions 32 are located, which are arranged such that the pin 20 is held within the body 40 when the fastener assembly 10 is in the unlocked position.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary body 40 for use with this fastener assembly 10. The body 40 has a head portion 42, an intermediate plate 44, and four arms 46 extending away from the head portion 42 in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the body 40. The head portion 42 has a central recess 52 for receiving the head 22 of the pin 20 when the fastener assembly 10 is assembled. A recess or space 50 is defined between the head portion 42 and the intermediate plate 44 for receiving a portion of the first panel 12. Each arm 46 is shown having an inner surface with a rib 56 disposed thereon. Each rib 56 is shown extending in a direction generally parallel to the direction of the corresponding retaining arm 46, but this is obviously not necessary. Each rib 56 is also shown having a recess 58 formed therein. As described above, the recess 58 is configured to receive a corresponding ridge 28 formed on the abutment of the elongated portion 24 of the pin 20 to lock the fastener assembly 10 in a locking configuration. The retaining arms 46 are also illustrated as a pair of opposing retaining arms arranged in a cross configuration, defining a cavity 54 for receiving the elongated portion 24 of the pin 20. The resilient retaining arms 46 are adapted to elastically deform toward and away from the central axis (so as to offset back toward their undeformed position). This allows the retaining arms 46 to hold the pin 20 in place when the locking leg 26 engages with the retaining arms 46, i.e., to push the retaining arms 46 away from the central axis and create an offset back toward the central axis. In the locking configuration, the retaining arms 46 abut against the corresponding ridge 28, thereby preventing the retaining arms 46 from flexing (deforming) toward the central axis, thus ensuring that the metal plate 5 remains clamped to the panel 12 (i.e., the metal plate 5 cannot slide past the resilient retaining arms 46).

[0030] Figure 4a The figure shows a top side view of the body 40. As shown, the head portion 42 has two stops 60 formed thereon, which limit the rotation of the pin 20 within the body 40 by abutting against the head 22 of the pin 20 when the pin 20 reaches its rotation limit, for example, as... Figure 7a As shown. The first rotation restriction corresponds to the case when the locking leg 24 of pin 20 engages with the corresponding rib 56 formed on each retaining arm 46. Specifically, the rotation restriction corresponds to the case when the ridge 28 on the locking leg 26 engages with the recess 58 formed in each rib 56. This corresponds to the locking configuration of fastener assembly 10. The second rotation restriction corresponds to the case when the locking leg 26 of pin 20 disengages from the retaining arm 46, which is the unlocking configuration of fastener assembly 10, for example, as... Figure 7b As shown. The head portion 42 has a central hole or opening 62 formed therein for receiving the elongated portion 24 of the pin 20. Figure 4a and Figure 4bAs shown, the outline of the hole 62 corresponds to the outline of the elongated portion 24. This allows the elongated portion 24 to pass through while preventing the head 22 of the pin 20 from passing through.

[0031] Figure 5a The illustration shows a first panel 12 (e.g., a plastic panel) having a recessed portion 14 and a hole or aperture 16 for receiving a fastener assembly 10. The hole 16 is formed within the recessed portion 14 of the panel 12 and is arranged such that the fastener assembly 10 can partially pass through the hole 16. Figure 5b As shown, when the fastener assembly 10 is assembled and installed onto the panel 12, the head portion 42 of the body 40 and the head 22 of the pin 20 are positioned on one side of the panel 12, while the retaining arm 46, the intermediate plate 44 and the elongated portion 24 are positioned on the other side of the panel 12. Figure 5b The arrangement shown in the diagram can be considered as a pre-assembled panel. Figure 6a The bottom surface of panel 12 is shown, and a second recess 18 formed on the bottom surface of panel 12 is also shown.

[0032] To prepare a pre-assembled panel, fastener assembly 10 is inserted through hole 16 until the head portion 42 of body 40 abuts against panel 12, and panel 12 is positioned between intermediate plate 44 and head portion 42. To secure fastener assembly 10 to panel 12 and prepare the pre-assembled panel, fastener assembly 10 is rotated within hole 16 until panel 12 slides within recess or space 50 formed between intermediate plate 44 and head portion 42. Figure 6b As shown, rotating a quarter turn, or approximately 45 degrees, causes multiple portions of the intermediate plate 44 to press against or engage with the second recess 18 of the panel 12. The multiple portions of the intermediate plate 44 that engage with the second recess 18 can be considered as tabs 45 securing the body 40 to the panel 12. Due to the contour and shape of the mounting hole 16, the fastener assembly 10 is held in place. This design allows for tolerances of + / - 1 mm in both directions. Although the fastener assembly 10 is rotated approximately 45 degrees to secure it... Figure 6b The panel is not strictly necessary, and different contours of the body 40 can correspond to other shapes of the holes 16. Furthermore, the pre-assembled panel can obviously include a series of fastener assemblies 10 arranged in the respective holes, these fastener assemblies being designed to mate with the second plate (e.g., metal plate 5). The pre-assembled panel can then be pressed against the metal plate 5, and the retaining arm 46 of each of the fastener assemblies 10 can elastically deform to pass through the corresponding hole formed in the metal plate 5, so that the pre-assembled panel can be clamped onto the metal plate 5. The operator can then simply lock each of the fastener assemblies 10 to secure the metal plate 5 to the plastic panel 12 (see [link to fastener assembly 12]). Figure 7a ).

[0033] In the locking configuration, the fastener assembly 10 is prevented from moving out of engagement with the panel 12 and / or the metal sheet 5. When the pin 20 is in the unlocked position, the resilient retaining arm 46 can bend toward the central axis of the fastener assembly 10, thereby allowing a reduction in the cross-sectional area defined by the outer periphery of the retaining arm 46, so that the body 40 slides through the hole in the metal sheet 5. When the pin 20 is in the locked position, the resilient retaining arm 46 is prevented from deflecting inward and toward the central axis of the fastener assembly 10, thereby maintaining the cross-sectional area defined by the retaining arm 46 and preventing the fastener assembly 10 from disengaging from either the plastic panel 12 and / or the metal sheet 5 (i.e., unable to slide through the corresponding holes in the metal sheet 5 and the panel 12).

[0034] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above (one or more) embodiments have been described by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the specific design described above are possible; for example, changes may occur in shape, size, arrangement (i.e., a single integral part or two separate parts), assembly, etc.

Claims

1. A fastener for securing a thin-plate component, the fastener comprising: The body includes a pair of elastically deformable retaining arms arranged to extend through an opening in the sheet metal member during use; and A pin, rotatably mounted within the body and including a pair of locking legs, the pin being rotatable between the following positions: In the unlocked position, the retaining arm is deformable to pass through the opening in the sheet metal member, and In the locked position, the locking leg engages with the retaining arm to limit deformation of the retaining arm and secure the fastener to the sheet metal component. Each of the retaining arms includes a rib having a slot formed thereon, and wherein the slot is configured to receive a corresponding locking leg of the pin when the pin is rotated to the locking position.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The body is configured to attach to another sheet component, such that the fasteners are used to secure the sheet component to the other sheet component.

3. The fastener according to claim 2, wherein, The body includes a head portion and a tab, the tab being axially spaced from the head portion such that a portion of the other sheet member can be received between the head portion and the tab to attach the fastener to the other sheet member.

4. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The body includes a hole having a first cross-sectional profile, wherein the locking leg defines a second cross-sectional profile corresponding to the first cross-sectional profile, and wherein, in the unlocked position, the locking leg is capable of passing through a hole for assembling the fastener.

5. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The pin further includes at least one nodular protrusion arranged to engage with the body when the pin is in the unlocked position, such that the pin is held within the body in the unlocked position.

6. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The retaining arm is arranged to extend axially through the opening in the sheet metal component during use.

7. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, For each retaining arm, the rib is located radially inside the retaining arm, and the slot is located radially inside the rib.

8. A sheet metal component comprising a fastener fixed thereon according to any of the preceding claims.

9. A fastening system comprising a fastener according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, in the locked position, the fastener is secured to the sheet metal component by the pin.

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