Screw Lock
Non-metallic screw-lock fasteners, composed of materials like nylon and glass fiber, address the corrosion issues of metal fasteners by providing high holding power and resistance to corrosion, making them suitable for use with stainless steel parts in challenging environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024572641
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-14
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Metal fasteners, particularly stainless steel fasteners, face corrosion issues when used in environments with humidity, oil, and heat, leading to reduced durability and increased maintenance costs.
The development of non-metallic screw-lock fasteners made from materials like nylon and glass fiber, which provide high holding power and are resistant to corrosion, along with a retainer and seal configuration that ensures secure locking and waterproofing.
These non-metallic fasteners offer high holding forces (up to 2000 N) while preventing corrosion, making them suitable for use with stainless steel parts in various environments, including those with high humidity and exposure to oil and heat.
Smart Images
Figure 2025519605000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 366,387, filed on June 14, 2022, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
[0002] The present invention relates to fasteners. More specifically, the fasteners can be made without steel materials to provide high holding power and avoid corrosion problems.
Background Art
[0003] Many fasteners are made from metal materials for better strength and durability. In the automotive industry, for example, metal fasteners such as fasteners composed of stainless - steel materials are widely used to fix components due to concerns about vehicle impacts. However, in some environments, especially when stainless - steel parts are used, oil, humidity, and heat can cause corrosion problems to components and fasteners. Steel fasteners such as zinc - plated spring - steel fasteners can rust within a few weeks when used to fasten stainless - steel parts. Stainless - steel fasteners are expensive and difficult to mass - produce due to the rigidity of stainless steel. Snap - fit fasteners made from stainless steel do not provide the desired insertion or extraction force performance due to their rigidity.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The disclosure of the present invention generally relates to non - metallic screw - lock fasteners that provide high holding power. More specifically, various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to non - metallic screw - locks that can fasten stainless - steel parts of a vehicle.
[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a fastener having a lock extending between a front end of the fastener and a rear end of the fastener. The lock includes a body, a disk at the rear end, a head at the front end, and two blocks extending from both sides of the body of the lock proximate the rear end. The fastener further includes a retainer disposed on the lock. The retainer includes a cavity extending between two openings on both sides of the retainer. The retainer also includes one or more snap-fit joints disposed on an outer surface of the retainer, proximate the rear end, and configured to clamp a first component. The retainer further includes a screw configured to pass through a second component and into the body of the lock. The body of the lock is generally inside the cavity of the retainer. Rotating the screw in a first direction causes the lock to rotate, and the two blocks to protrude from the openings of the retainer, whereby the first component and the second component are locked between the two blocks and the screw.
[0006] One variation of the above aspect is that the retainer generally has a rectangular contour.
[0007] One variation of the above aspect further includes a seal configured to extend on the disk of the lock.
[0008] One variation of the above aspect is that the seal is sized and shaped to extend radially from the disk of the lock to form a seal between the first component and the second component.
[0009] One variation of the above aspect is that the retainer further includes two or more arms configured to receive and engage the head of the lock and hold the lock inside the retainer.
[0010] One variation of the above aspect is that the head of the lock is tapered, and the head of the lock passes through two or more arms of the retainer and is stopped from retreating.
[0011] One variation of the above aspect is that the lock comprises nylon and glass fiber.
[0012] One variation of the above aspect is that the retainer comprises plastic.
[0013] One variation of the above aspect is that the seal comprises rubber.
[0014] One variation of the above aspect is that the screw comprises a tapping screw.
[0015] One variation of the above aspect is that the fastener is waterproof.
[0016] One variation of the above aspect is that when the screw is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the lock rotates and two blocks of the lock enter the cavity of the retainer.
[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a fastener comprising a lock and a retainer. The lock comprises a body, a disk extending radially from a first end of the body, and one or more blocks extending from both sides of the body. The retainer is disposed on the lock and the retainer comprises a cavity extending between two openings on both sides of the retainer. The retainer further comprises a screw configured to enter the body of the lock through a second component. When the screw is rotated in a first direction, the lock rotates and one or more blocks protrude from the openings of the retainer, thereby fixing the first component between the disk and the one or more blocks and fixing the second component between the disk of the lock and the screw.
[0018] One variation of the above aspect is that the retainer further comprises one or more snap-fit joints disposed on the outer surface of the retainer and configured to fix the first component.
[0019] One variation of the above aspect is that the retainer has a generally rectangular contour.
[0020] One variation of the above aspect is that the body of the lock is generally inside the cavity of the retainer.
[0021] One variant of the above aspect is that one or more blocks of the lock are close to the lock disk.
[0022] One variant of the above aspect further comprises a seal having a size and shape that extends radially from the lock disk and forms a seal between the first part and the second part.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0023] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements.
[0024]
Figure 1A
[0025]
Figure 1B
[0026]
Figure 2
[0027]
Figure 3
[0028]
Figure 4A
[0029]
Figure 4B
[0030]
Figure 5A
[0031]
Figure 5B
[0032]
Figure 5C
[0033]
Figure 6A
[0034]
Figure 6B
[0035]
Figure 7A
[0036]
Figure 7B
[0037]
Figure 7C
[0038]
Figure 8
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0039] Generally speaking, one or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to screw lock fasteners. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to screw lock fasteners that can be made from non-metallic materials and can provide high holding forces (e.g., 1000 N to 2000 N). In other embodiments, the screw lock fasteners can be used on stainless steel parts to avoid corrosion problems (e.g., rust) caused by metal fasteners. The screw lock can also include a seal that provides a waterproof tightening. The screw lock can, by way of example, include three components: a lock, a retainer, and a seal.
[0040] Figures 1A - 1B show perspective views of an embodiment of a screw lock 100 including a lock 1, a retainer 2, and a seal 3. The lock 1 can extend between a front end 10 and a rear end 30. The lock 1 can include a head 11 at the front end 10 and a disk 12 at the rear end 30, as shown in FIG. 3. The retainer 2 can hold the lock 1 inside the cavity 20 of the retainer. In some embodiments, the lock 1 can be held generally inside the retainer 2, excluding the disk 12 and the head 11 (see FIG. 4B). The cavity 20 can extend between opposite sides of the retainer 2 and can have openings on opposite sides of the retainer 2. In some embodiments, the retainer 2 can hold the lock 1 by having two or more arms 25 configured to engage the head 11 of the lock 1 as a handover condition. As shown in FIGS. 1A - 1B, the head 11 can be tapered such that the tip of the head 11 is smaller to allow the head 11 to slide through two or more arms 25. The head 11 can also include a flange 15 extending around the head 11 such that after the head 11 passes through two or more arms 25, the flange 15 stops the head 11 from moving relative to the two or more arms 25 and stops the lock 1 from exiting the retainer 2.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the lock 1 can include two blocks extending from both sides of the lock 1. In some embodiments, when the lock 1 is rotated inside the cavity 20 of the retainer 2, the blocks 13 and 14 can be protruded from the opening of the cavity 20. The openings can be displaced from each other on both sides of the retainer 2 so that the blocks 13 and 14 can protrude and rotate from both sides of the retainer 2. As shown in FIG. 1A, the screw lock 100 in the locked position can protrude the block 13 from one side of the retainer 2 and stop it with the wall 23 of the retainer 2. Correspondingly, the screw lock 100 can have a wall 24 (see FIG. 4A) on the opposite side of the retainer 2 configured to stop the block 14. In some embodiments, the retainer 2 can include a platform 26 at the rear end 30. When the screw lock 100 is in the unlocked position, the blocks 13 and 14 can be substantially inside the retainer 2 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B. When the screw lock 100 is in the locked position, at least a part can be tightened between the protruding blocks 13 and 14 and the platform 26 as shown in FIGS. 7C and 8.
[0042] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, the screw lock 100 can include a seal 3 configured to wrap around the disk 12 of the lock 1. The disk 12 can be configured to be rotatable inside and relative to the seal 3. In some embodiments, the screw lock 100 can also include, as shown in FIG. 4A, snap-fit joints 21 and 22 that are displaced from each other and disposed on both sides of the retainer 2. By way of example, the screw lock 100 can be installed on a first part that is fastened to a second part. FIGS. 6A and 6B show an embodiment of the screw lock 100 in which a first part 4 can be fastened between the rear end 30 of the screw lock 100 and the snap-fit joints 21 and 22. The first part 4 can be provided with a hole 40 that allows the retainer to penetrate in the x-direction, as shown in FIG. 6A. In the illustrated embodiment, the contours of both the retainer 2 and the hole 40 can be generally rectangular. FIG. 6B shows that the first part 4 can be fastened between the platform 26 of the retainer 2 and the snap-fit joint 22 of the retainer 2 so that the screw lock 100 can be attached to the first part 4. For example, in the automotive industry, the screw lock can be pre-attached to the vehicle's trim panel during the body-in-white (BIW) stage before assembly.
[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the screw lock can be locked in place with a screw (e.g., a stainless steel tapping screw). For example, the screw lock can be used with a tapping screw to attach a vehicle body panel to a vehicle trim panel. After the screw lock 100 is attached to the first component 4, the second component 5 can be placed in contact with the seal 3, and the holes 51 in the second plate 5 and the holes 16 in the disk 12 can be aligned (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 7A, the tapping screw 6 can pass through the holes 51 in the second plate 5 and the holes 16 on the disk 12 and into the lock 1, thereby clamping the second plate 5 between the tapping screw 6 and the seal 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, torque can be applied to the tapping screw 6 to rotate the tapping screw 6 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) to further tighten the second component, and the lock 1 can be rotated in the first direction (e.g., clockwise). The torque can rotate the lock 1 to a certain extent (e.g., 90 degrees) until the blocks 13 and 14 stop against the walls 23 and 24, and can project from the cavity 20 of the retainer 2 (see FIG. 4A). In the locked position shown in FIG. 7C, the first plate 4 and the second plate 5 can be clamped between the tapping screw 6 and the blocks 13 and 14. Further, in certain embodiments, the tapping screw 6 can be loosened and removed from the screw lock so that the screw lock can be reused. Exemplarily, the tapping screw 6 can be removed by rotating the tapping screw 6 together with the lock 1 in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise). For example, by loosening and removing the tapping screw, the vehicle body panel attached by the screw lock can be removed. Then, the trim panel with the screw lock attached can be reused to clamp the same body panel or another body panel.
[0044] When tightening stainless steel parts, the metal materials can corrode and rust very quickly, especially in an environment with humidity, oil, and heat. In some embodiments, various parts of the screw lock can be made of non-metallic materials including plastic, polyimide, nylon, glass fiber reinforced polyimide (e.g., PA6-GF30), polyacrylamide, glass epoxy laminate (e.g., G10 / FR-4), thermoplastic resin, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyoxymethylene (POM), TPV, etc. For example, the lock 1 can be made of a non-metallic material that can provide strength (e.g., PA6-GF30) so that when the screw lock 100 is in the locked position, the blocks 13 and 14 can provide a high holding force (e.g., 1000N - 2000N) (see Figure 7C). The retainer 2 can be made of a material that is not too rigid (e.g., PA66) so as not to require a special tool to deform the snap fit joints 21 and 22 and insert the screw lock 100 into the hole 40 of the first plate 4 (see Figures 6A - 6B). Finally, the seal can be made of an elastic material (e.g., TPV) to provide a waterproof function. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the seal 3 can prevent moisture from a moist environment 200 (e.g., external) from passing through the DD line and entering a dry environment 300 (e.g., internal).
[0045] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the disclosure of the present invention to the exact forms or specific fields of use disclosed. Accordingly, various alternative embodiments and / or modifications to the disclosure of the present invention are considered possible in light of this disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is limited only by the claims.
[0046] In the foregoing specification, the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description should be regarded as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art how to make and use the various embodiments of the disclosed glove box operating assembly. It should be understood that the forms of the disclosure shown and described herein are to be construed as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those typically shown and described herein. Further, certain features of the present disclosure can be utilized independently of the use of other features, although all of these will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the present disclosure. The expressions such as "comprising", "including", "incorporating", "consisting of", "having", "being", etc. used to describe and claim the present invention disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, that is, to allow for the presence of items, components or elements not explicitly recited. References to the singular should also be construed as relating to the plural.
[0047] Furthermore, the various embodiments disclosed herein should be construed in an illustrative and explanatory sense and should never be construed as limiting the present disclosure. All references to couplings (e.g., attachment, affixation, connection, joining, etc.) are used only to assist the reader's understanding of the present disclosure and do not, in particular, impose limitations on the position, orientation, or use of the systems and / or methods disclosed herein. Thus, references to couplings should be construed broadly. Further, references to such couplings do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other. Further, without limitation, all numerical terms such as "first," "second," "third," "primary," "secondary," "main," or any other ordinary and / or numerical terms are also to be construed only as identifiers to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations, and / or modifications of the present disclosure and do not, in particular, impose any limitations on the order or preference of any element, embodiment, variation, and / or modification with respect to another element, embodiment, variation, and / or modification or over another element, embodiment, variation, and / or modification.
[0048] As may be useful depending on the particular application, one or more of the elements shown in the drawings / figures may also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or in certain cases may be removed or discarded as inoperable.
Claims
1. A lock extending between a front end and a rear end of a fastener, the lock comprising a body, a disk at the rear end, a head at the front end, and two blocks extending from both sides of the body of the lock proximate the rear end; A retainer disposed on the lock, the retainer comprising a cavity extending between two openings on both sides of the retainer, and one or more snap-fit joints disposed on an outer surface of the retainer and proximate the rear end and configured to secure a first component; A screw configured to enter the body of the lock through a second component; The body of the lock is disposed inside the cavity of the retainer generally; When the screw is rotated in a first direction, the lock rotates and the two blocks protrude from the openings of the retainer, whereby the first component and the second component are locked between the two blocks and the screw. A fastener.
2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the retainer has a generally rectangular profile.
3. The fastener according to claim 1, further comprising a seal configured to extend on a disk of the lock.
4. The fastener according to claim 3, wherein the seal has a size and shape such that it extends radially from a disk of the lock to form a seal between the first component and the second component.
5. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the retainer further comprises two or more arms configured to receive and engage a head of the lock and hold the lock inside the retainer.
6. The fastener according to claim 5, wherein the head of the lock is tapered so that the head of the lock can pass through two or more arms of the retainer and stop from retracting.
7. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the lock comprises nylon and glass fiber.
8. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises plastic.
9. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the seal comprises rubber.
10. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the screw comprises a tapping screw.
11. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is waterproof.
12. When the screw is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the lock rotates and two blocks of the lock enter the cavity of the retainer, the fastener according to claim 1.
13. A lock comprising a body, a disk extending radially from a first end of the body, and one or more blocks extending from both sides of the body, A retainer disposed on the lock, the retainer comprising a cavity extending between two openings on both sides of the retainer, the retainer A screw configured to enter the body of the lock through a second portion, Comprising, When the screw is rotated in a first direction, the lock rotates and the one or more blocks protrude from the openings of the retainer, thereby fixing a first portion between the disk and the one or more blocks and fixing a second portion between the disk of the lock and the screw, the fastener.
14. The fastener according to claim 13, further comprising one or more snap-fit joints disposed on an outer surface of the retainer and configured to fix the first component.
15. The fastener according to claim 13, wherein the retainer has a generally rectangular contour.
16. The fastener according to claim 13, wherein the body of the lock is generally inside the cavity of the retainer.
17. The fastener according to claim 13, wherein one or more blocks of the lock are close to the disk of the lock.
18. The fastener according to claim 13, further comprising a seal of a size and shape that extends radially from the disk of the lock and forms a seal between the first component and the second component.
19. The fastener according to claim 13, wherein the head of the body is tapered at a second end such that the head of the lock can pass through two or more arms on the retainer and is stopped from retracting.
20. When the screw is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the lock rotates and two blocks of the lock enter the cavity of the retainer, the fastener according to claim 13.