fastener

Abstract

A fastener for connecting two panel structures includes: a base member having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending along a longitudinal axis; a first member disposed on the base member toward the proximal portion, the first member including a through hole having a first central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; a second member disposed on the base member toward the distal portion and spaced apart from the first member to form a receiving portion configured to receive at least one panel structure, the second member including an orifice defining an inner surface and having a second central axis coaxially aligned with the first central axis, the inner surface including at least one stop member projecting radially inward from the inner surface; and a nut member coaxially aligned within the inner surface of the orifice and readily connected to the inner surface, the nut member including at least one blocking member projecting radially outward from an outer surface of the nut member and configured to engage stopably with the at least one stop member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener, and more particularly to a fastener that can be used with screws to attach two structural parts (e.g., two panels of a vehicle). Background Technology

[0002] These fasteners are used to attach components, such as those on vehicles. Fasteners come in various forms, and are often complex to use and manufacture.

[0003] Typically, these fasteners are made of metal and are complex in design. Fasteners made of metal also tend to be relatively heavy, which can lead to problems during use. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of such metal fasteners can be high. Existing fasteners also tend to limit the size of panels they can be attached to, thus limiting the applications of these fasteners. Therefore, it is often necessary to use multiple different types of fasteners, which increases manufacturing complexity, time, and cost, for example, in vehicle manufacturing.

[0004] Based on existing technology, the object of this invention is to solve some problems associated with fasteners in the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide an easy-to-use fastener. The object of this invention is to provide an easy-to-manufacture fastener. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of the invention is set forth in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe optional features.

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, a fastener for connecting two panel structures is provided, the fastener comprising:

[0007] A base member having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending along a longitudinal axis;

[0008] A first component is disposed on the base component facing the proximal portion, the first component including a through hole having a first central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis;

[0009] A second member, disposed on the base member and spaced apart from the first member toward the distal portion, forms a receiving portion configured to receive at least one panel structure. The second member includes an aperture defining an inner surface and has a second central axis coaxially aligned with the first central axis. The inner surface includes at least one stop member projecting radially inward from the inner surface.

[0010] A nut component, coaxially aligned and readily connected to the inner surface of the orifice, includes at least one blocking member projecting radially outward from the outer surface of the nut component and configured to engage stopably with the at least one stop member.

[0011] During use, the nut member is configured to move from a first position to a second position, in which the nut is easily connected to the inner surface, and in the second position, the at least one blocking member engages abuttingly with the at least one stop member to allow axial movement of the nut member within the orifice of the second member.

[0012] This provides the advantages of the fastener of the present invention in terms of ease of use and manufacture, having few parts yet still achieving reliable attachment. Fewer parts allow for the manufacture of lighter fasteners. Fewer parts and ease of manufacture allow for lower manufacturing costs than before. The configuration of the present invention also has the advantage of being able to attach panels of different sizes. Therefore, this fastener can be used to attach panels with a wide range of panel thicknesses. The attached panels can have different thicknesses. Therefore, the fastener of the present invention can be used more widely, thereby reducing the need for the use of other types of fasteners.

[0013] Advantageously, the first and second components can be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base component.

[0014] Advantageously, the nut member can be configured to rotate from the first position to the second position.

[0015] Advantageously, the fastener may further include at least one resilient leg disposed on any one of the base member, the first member, and the second member, and the at least one resilient leg is laterally arranged relative to the longitudinal axis and extends into the receiving portion and is configured to engage biasably with a panel structure received in the receiving portion.

[0016] Preferably, the fastener may include at least two resilient legs, each resilient leg being laterally arranged on opposite sides of the base portion relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0017] Advantageously, the fastener can be made of integrally molded plastic.

[0018] Preferably, the nut component may include a central threaded hole configured for operably engaging with a screw.

[0019] Advantageously, the inner surface may include at least two radially opposing stop members, each of which protrudes radially inward from the inner surface.

[0020] Advantageously, the nut member may include at least two blocking members, each of which protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the nut member and is configured to engage stopably with a corresponding one of the at least two stop members. Preferably, the at least two blocking members may be arranged radially opposite each other. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 shows (a) a rear left perspective view, (b) a front left perspective view, and (c) a front right perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the fastener of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 shows (a) a front view, (b) a rear view, (c) a side view, and (d) a top view of an example embodiment of the fastener of Figure 1;

[0024] Figures 3(a) to 3(h) A series of front and rear perspective views are shown, illustrating the use of screws to attach the fasteners of Figure 1 to the two panel structures.

[0025] Figure 4 shows (a) a front perspective view and (b) a rear perspective view of the fastener of Figure 1 when it is connected to two different panel structures;

[0026] Figure 5 shows (a) a rear view, (b) a side view, and (c) a top view of the panel structure and connecting fasteners of Figure 4.

[0027] Figure 6 shows (a) a rear perspective view, (b) a rear view and (c) a front perspective view of an alternative example embodiment of the fastener of the present invention;

[0028] Figures 7(a) to 7(d) A series of front and rear perspective views are shown, illustrating the use of screws to attach the fasteners of Figure 6 to the two panel structures.

[0029] Figure 8 shows (a) a front perspective view and (b) a rear perspective view of the fasteners in Figure 6 connecting to the two panel structures. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Some terms used in the following description are for convenience only and not restrictive. The terms “up” and “down” refer to directions referenced in the accompanying drawings and are defined in relation to the parts described during assembly and installation. The terms “inner,” “inward,” and “outer,” “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 this specification.

[0031] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “connected,” “attached,” “linked,” and “installed” are intended to include direct connections between two components without any other components in between, as well as indirect connections between components in which one or more other components are in between. The terms include those specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words with similar meanings.

[0032] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," "third," etc., merely indicates that different instances of similar objects are mentioned, and is not intended to imply that the objects described must be in a given order in time, space, hierarchy, or any other way. Similar reference numerals are always used to depict similar features.

[0033] Now refer to Figures 1(a) through 1(c) and Figures 2(a) to 2(d) The diagram illustrates various perspective views, as well as standard front, rear, side, and top views, of a first exemplary embodiment of the fastener 100 of the present invention. The fastener 100 specifically includes a first member 102 disposed at a proximal end 104 of a base member 106 and a second member 108 disposed at a distal end 110 of the base member 106. The first member 102 has a through hole 112, and the second member 108 has an opening 114. Both the through hole 112 and the opening 114 have central axes 116 and 118, which are coaxially arranged with each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis 120 of the base member 106.

[0034] The orifice 114 of the second member 108 has two radially opposing stop members 122a and 122b, which protrude inward from the inner surface of the orifice 114. The through hole 112 is adapted to operatively receive a predetermined screw or bolt.

[0035] Nut member 124 is operatively coupled within orifice 114, i.e., the threaded through-hole 125 of nut member 124 is coaxially aligned with the central axes 116 and 118 of the first member 102 and the second member 108. Further, nut member 124 includes two radially opposing stop members 126a and 126b, which are adapted to engage stop members 122a and 122b in a stopping manner as nut member 124 rotates within orifice 114 about its central axis 118. Prior to initial use, nut member 124 is in a first position in which it is readily connected to the inner surface of orifice 114. When the nut member 124 first rotates about its central axis 118 from a first position to a second position, the breakable connections 127a, 127b (e.g., via two opposing breakable connectors) disengage, in which, in the second position, each of the blocking members 126a, 126b engages stoppedly with a corresponding stop member 122a, 122b of the orifice 114. Those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable number of corresponding stop members 122a, 122b and / or blocking members 126a, 126b can be used to provide the intended interaction between the nut member 124 and the orifice 114 of the second member 108.

[0036] In this particular example, two resilient legs 128a, 128b are provided arranged in parallel to project biasedly from the first member 102 toward the second member 108 into the receiving portion 130. Here, each of the resilient legs 128a, 128b is formed by a lateral portion of the first member 102, and these resilient legs bend into the receiving portion 130 to extend from the top portion of the first member 102 toward the bottom portion of the second member 108, thereby providing an inclined sliding surface for the panel structure 202, which can be pushed into the receiving portion 130 of the fastener 100.

[0037] Now for reference Figures 3(a) to 3(d) Figure 4(a), Figure 4(b) and Figures 5(a) to 5(c)The diagram sequentially illustrates the connection / attachment of two panel structures 200a and 200b together using fastener 100. Here, panel structure 200a is simply pushed into receiving portion 130 and then slid downwards along resilient legs 128a and 128b, axially aligning the through-hole of panel structure 200a with orifice 114, while simultaneously bending the resilient legs 128a and 128b toward first member 102. Once in place, the resilient legs engage biasedly with panel structure 200a, thereby pushing the panel member toward second member 108. Then, the through-hole of second panel structure 200b aligns with the through-hole 112 of first member 102, and a screw or bolt 300 is pushed through the through-hole, through-hole 112, and through-hole of first panel structure 200a, threading it into nut member 124. When the screw or bolt 300 is screwed into the threaded through hole 125, the nut member 124 is pulled toward the first member 102, thereby breaking the breakable connections 127a, 127b and causing the blocking members 126a, 126b of the nut member 124 to slide and rotate, engaging with the stop members 122a, 122b of the orifice 114. Once the nut member 124 is in this second position, further rotation of the screw or bolt 300 causes the nut member 124 to slide toward (or away from) the panel structure 200a and engage with the panel structure abutting (depending on the direction of rotation of the screw or bolt 300). At this time, further tightening rotation of the screw or bolt 300 presses the two panel structures 200a, 200b and the first member 102 together to form a tight connection between the panel structures 200a, 200b and the fastener 100. Furthermore, in this position, the two lateral elastic legs 128a and 128b are aligned with the first member 102, that is, located between the first panel structure 200a and the second panel structure 200b.

[0038] The nut component may further include a flange portion 132 adapted to engage with the surface of the first panel structure 200a.

[0039] Figures 4 and 5 show the fastener 100 of the first embodiment, but connected to a different panel structure 202b.

[0040] Referring now to Figures 6 to 8, an alternative example embodiment 400 of the fastener of the present invention is shown. The alternative fastener 400 operates substantially the same as the fastener 100 in the first example embodiment, but with minor variations in the dimensions between the nut member 424 and the orifice 414 of the second member 408, and in the fracturing connection. Furthermore, the two resilient legs 428a, 428b have different designs and are formed by a base portion 406 extending from the second member 408 toward the first member 402. Additionally, fracturing connections 427a, 427b are provided that are circumferentially offset (90 degrees) relative to the stop members 422a, 422b; however, in the first example embodiment 100, the fracturing connections 127a, 127b (see Figure 2) are radially collinear with the stop members 122a, 122b.

[0041] Figure 7 illustrates the sequence in which two panels 500a and 500b are connected using fastener 400 according to an alternative embodiment. The sequence of operations is the same as that of fastener 100 used in the first embodiment.

[0042] Once the first panel 500a and the second panel 500b are in place and the screws or bolts 600 are inserted, the nut component 424 can rotate as the screws or bolts 600 rotate. The direction of rotation can be seen from the arrows in Figure 7. The breakable connections or breakable connectors 427a, 427b, not shown in Figure 7 but shown in Figure 8, break when the nut component 424 rotates.

[0043] As the nut member 106 rotates, the blocking members 426a, 426b engage with the stop members 422a, 422b, thereby preventing further rotation of the nut member 424. Further rotation of the screw or bolt 600 (in the direction shown in FIG. 7) causes the nut member 424 to be pulled axially toward the first panel structure 500a.

[0044] Therefore, in automobile manufacturing, when the fasteners 100, 400 of this embodiment are used, for example, to attach two panels 200a, 200b or 500a, 500b of a vehicle door, the first panel 200a, 500a can be inserted into the receiving portion 130, 430 of the fastener 100, 400, and the second panel 200b, 500b can be positioned proximal to the first member 102, 402 of the fastener 100, 400. When the panel 200a, 200b or 500a, 500b is in place on the fastener 100, 400, screws or bolts 300, 600, such as fastening screws, can be inserted. A screwdriver or similar tool can be used to rotate the screws or bolts 300, 600. A screwdriver or similar tool can help to place and position screws or bolts 300, 600 through the first members 102, 402 of the attached panels 200a, 200b, 500a, 500b and fasteners 100, 400, thereby preparing for insertion into nut members 124, 424 or partial insertion into nut members 124, 424.

[0045] Therefore, in this way, for example, two panels 200a, 200b, 500a, 500b for a vehicle door can be attached together. The fasteners 100, 400 of the present invention are configured to allow panels of different thicknesses to be attached together, and a wide range of panel thicknesses can be used, thereby reducing the need to use different types of fasteners.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above 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 detailed design described above are possible, for example, changes may occur in shape, size, arrangement (i.e., a single component or two separate components), assembly, etc.

Claims

1. A fastener for connecting two panel structures, the fastener comprising: A base member having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending along a longitudinal axis; A first component is disposed on the base component facing the proximal portion, the first component including a through hole having a first central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; A second member, disposed on the base member and spaced apart from the first member toward the distal portion, forms a receiving portion configured to receive at least one panel structure. The second member includes an aperture defining an inner surface and has a second central axis coaxially aligned with the first central axis. The inner surface includes at least one stop member projecting radially inward from the inner surface. A nut component, coaxially aligned and readily connected to the inner surface of the orifice, the nut component including at least one blocking member projecting radially outward from the outer surface of the nut component and configured to engage stopably with the at least one stop member. During use, the nut member is configured to move from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the nut member is readily connected to the inner surface. In the second position, the at least one blocking member engages abuttingly with the at least one stop member to allow axial movement of the nut member within the orifice of the second member.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The first and second components are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base component.

3. The fastener according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The nut component is configured to rotate from the first position to the second position.

4. The fastener of claim 1, further comprising at least one resilient leg disposed on any one of the base member, the first member, and the second member, and the at least one resilient leg being laterally arranged relative to the longitudinal axis and extending into the receiving portion and configured to engage biasably with a panel structure received in the receiving portion.

5. The fastener according to claim 4, comprising at least two resilient legs, each resilient leg being laterally arranged on opposite sides of the base member relative to the longitudinal axis.

6. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The fastener is made of one-piece molded plastic.

7. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The nut component includes a central threaded hole configured for operably engaging with a screw.

8. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The inner surface includes at least two radially opposing stop members, each of which protrudes radially inward from the inner surface.

9. The fastener according to claim 8, wherein, The nut member includes at least two blocking members, each blocking member protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the nut member and configured to engage stopably with a corresponding one of the at least two stop members.

10. The fastener according to claim 9, wherein, The at least two blocking members are arranged radially opposite each other.

11. A fastener for connecting two panel structures, the fastener comprising: A base member having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending along a longitudinal axis; A first component is disposed on the base component facing the proximal portion, the first component including a through hole having a first central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; A second member, disposed on the base member and spaced apart from the first member toward the distal portion, forms a receiving portion configured to receive at least one panel structure. The second member includes an aperture defining an inner surface and has a second central axis coaxially aligned with the first central axis. The inner surface includes at least one stop member projecting radially inward from the inner surface. A nut component, coaxially aligned with the inner surface of the orifice and having a breakable connection with the inner surface of the orifice, the nut component including at least one blocking member, the at least one blocking member projecting radially outward from the outer surface of the nut component and configured to engage stopably with the at least one stop member, and During use, the nut member is configured to move from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the nut member is easily connected to the inner surface via the breakable connection. In the second position, the at least one blocking member engages abuttingly with the at least one stop member to allow axial movement of the nut member within the orifice of the second member.

12. The fastener according to claim 11, wherein, The breakable connection breaks as the nut component moves from the first position toward the second position.

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