A pin-grommet fastener including a pin and a grommet having panel retaining fingers and pin retaining fingers that cooperate with each other to define a pin receiving portion for receiving the pin.

Abstract

The pin-grommet fastener includes a grommet and a pin. The grommet includes a base, panel locking fingers, and pin locking fingers. The locking fingers protrude from the base and cooperate to define a pin receptacle therebetween. The pin includes a pin head, a drive beam connected to the pin head, and a protrusion. When the pin head is inserted through the opening in the base and into the pin receptacle, the pin locking fingers engage the pin, thereby retaining the pin head within the pin receiver. When the fastener is inserted in a certain direction into the panel hole, the panel engages the drive beam, thereby moving the pin in the opposite direction relative to the grommet, which bends the panel locking fingers away from each other, thereby preventing the fastener from disengaging from the panel hole.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pin-grommet fastener including a pin and a grommet having panel retaining fingers and pin retaining fingers that cooperate to define a pin receiving portion for receiving the pin. [Background technology]

[0002] The background discussion provided herein is intended to generally describe the context of the present disclosure. The inventors' work is not admitted, explicitly or implicitly, to be prior art to the present disclosure to the extent that it is discussed in this background section and to the extent that aspects of the description are not otherwise admitted as prior art at the time of filing.

[0003] Pin-grommet fasteners are commonly used in the automotive industry. Use of pin-grommet fasteners generally requires that a grommet be inserted into an aperture in a mating component. In addition, the pin generally must not only be inserted into the grommet aperture, but also seated within the grommet aperture. Seating the pin within the grommet causes the legs of the grommet to expand radially outward, locking the pin and grommet to the mating component. Therefore, in known grommet-pin fasteners, the pin generally must be seated within the grommet as a separate step or operation, which must occur after the grommet is inserted into the aperture in the mating component.

[0004] In some cases, the pin can be assembled into the grommet, with the pin held in a partial, temporary, or shipping position within the grommet. The pin-grommet fastener can then be shipped to a manufacturing plant. Thus, the end user only needs to handle a single assembly and not separate pin and grommet components. Such an assembly eliminates the need for the end user to first insert the pin into the grommet aperture. Nevertheless, the pin-grommet fastener typically still must be inserted into the aperture of the mating component, and the pin must still be seated in the grommet as a separate step or operation, which typically must be done after the pin-grommet fastener is inserted into the aperture of the mating component. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A pin-grommet fastener according to the present disclosure is configured to be secured to a panel within an aperture in the panel. The pin-grommet fastener includes a grommet and a pin. In one example, the grommet includes a base having an opening, a pair of panel locking fingers protruding from the base adjacent to the opening, and a pair of pin locking fingers protruding from the base adjacent to the opening. The panel locking fingers and pin locking fingers cooperate to define a pin receptacle therebetween. The pin includes a pin head, a drive beam coupled to the pin head, and a pair of protrusions. When the pin head is inserted through the opening in the grommet base and into the pin receptacle of the grommet, the pin locking fingers engage with the pin, thereby retaining the pin head within the pin receiver. When the panel locking fingers, pin locking fingers, and pin head are inserted into the aperture in the panel in a first direction, the panel engages the drive beam, thereby moving the pin in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the grommet. This causes the protrusions on the pin to engage the panel locking fingers, which bend the panel locking fingers away from each other, thereby preventing withdrawal of the fastener from the hole in the panel.

[0006] In one aspect, the opening in the base of the grommet is elongated, the panel locking fingers are spaced apart along the width of the opening, and the pin locking fingers are spaced apart along the length of the opening.

[0007] In one aspect, when the protrusions on the pin engage the panel locking fingers, thereby bending the panel locking fingers apart, the pin locking fingers engage the pin head, thereby holding the pin in a position where the protrusions keep the panel locking fingers bent apart.

[0008] In one aspect, the pin further includes a pin shaft connecting the pin head to the drive beam, and the protrusion of the pin is a knuckle protruding from the pin shaft.

[0009] In one aspect, the pin further includes a pin collar that projects from the pin shaft and cooperates with the pin head to define a pair of locking grooves, and the pin locking fingers include a pair of protrusions configured to engage the locking grooves of the pin to retain the pin head within the pin receptacle.

[0010] In one aspect, when a pin is inserted into the pin receptacle of the grommet and the pin head and pin collar move past the protrusions of the pin locking fingers, the protrusions of the pin locking fingers engage the pin shaft, thereby retaining the pin head within the pin receptacle.

[0011] In one aspect, a side of the pin head defines a guide groove and the pin locking finger includes a boss that engages with the guide groove when the pin head is in the pin receptacle, such that when engagement between the drive beam and the panel causes the pin to move in a second direction relative to the grommet, engagement between the boss and the guide groove causes the pin head to rotate about its axis relative to the drive beam.

[0012] In one aspect, protrusions protrude from the sides of the pin head and engage the sides of the panel locking fingers, thereby bending the panel locking fingers away from each other when the pin head rotates due to movement of the pin in the second direction and engagement of the boss with the guide groove.

[0013] In one aspect, when the pin head is inserted into the pin receptacle and the protrusion of the pin head moves past the pin locking finger, the axial end face of the pin locking finger engages with the protrusion, thereby preventing the pin head from being removed from the pin receptacle.

[0014] In one aspect, the panel locking finger defines a locking groove, and a protrusion on the pin head engages with the locking groove of the panel locking finger when the pin head is rotated a first amount, the engagement between the protrusion and the locking groove preventing rotation of the pin head, thereby locking the pin head in place relative to the grommet.

[0015] In one aspect, the locking groove is defined in a first side of the pin locking finger, and the panel locking finger further includes an overhang protruding from a second side opposite the first side, such that when the panel locking finger is inserted into the hole in the panel, the overhang of the panel locking finger engages with the underside of the panel, thereby further preventing disengagement of the fastener from the hole in the panel.

[0016] In one embodiment, the pin-grommet fastener further includes a tether connecting the pin head to the drive beam while allowing rotation of the pin head about its axis.

[0017] In one aspect, the pin grommet fastener further includes a tubular body having an outer diameter surface from which the drive beam projects, and the pin further includes a pin shaft projecting from a pin head and configured to be secured within the tubular body by a snap fit to connect the pin head to the drive beam.

[0018] In one aspect, the pin shaft has a leg protruding from an axial end thereof, the leg having a side surface defining a groove therein, and the tubular body has an annular flange protruding radially outwardly, the annular flange engaging the groove in the leg, thereby securing the pin shaft relative to the tubular body when the pin shaft is inserted into the tubular body.

[0019] In another example, the grommet includes a base having an opening, a pair of panel locking fingers protruding from the base adjacent the opening, and a pair of pin locking fingers protruding from the base adjacent the opening. The panel locking fingers and the pin locking fingers cooperate to define a pin receptacle therebetween. The pin locking fingers include protrusions protruding toward each other. The pin includes a pin head, a drive beam, a pin shaft connecting the pin head to the drive beam, knuckles protruding from opposite sides of the pin shaft, and pin collars protruding from opposite sides of the pin shaft and cooperating with the pin head to define a pair of locking grooves. When the pin head and pin shaft are inserted through the opening in the grommet base and into the pin receptacle of the grommet, the protrusions of the pin locking fingers engage the pin shaft, thereby retaining the pin head in the pin receiver. When the panel locking finger, pin locking finger, and pin head are inserted into the panel hole in a first direction, the panel engages the drive beam, moving the pin in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the grommet. This causes the knuckles on the pin shaft to engage the panel locking fingers, bending the panel locking fingers apart. When the pin collar moves in the second direction past the protrusions on the pin locking fingers, the protrusions engage the locking grooves on the pin, holding the pin in a position where the knuckles keep the panel locking fingers bent apart, preventing the fastener from disengaging from the panel hole.

[0020] In one aspect, the opening in the grommet base is elongated, the panel locking fingers are spaced apart along the width of the opening, the pin locking fingers are spaced apart along the length of the opening, and the side of the pin shaft from which the knuckle protrudes is perpendicular to the side of the pin shaft from which the pin collar protrudes.

[0021] In one aspect, the grommet further includes a seal, the seal protruding from the base and surrounding the panel locking finger and the pin locking finger, and configured to be pressed against the panel when the panel locking finger, the pin locking finger, and the pin head are inserted into the hole in the panel and the protrusion of the pin locking finger engages with the locking groove of the pin.

[0022] In yet another example, the grommet includes a base, a pair of panel locking fingers protruding from the base, and a pair of pin locking fingers protruding from the base. The panel locking fingers and the pin locking fingers cooperate with each other to define a pin receptacle therebetween. The panel locking fingers have a side surface defining a locking groove therein. The pin locking fingers include a boss protruding from the side surface. The pin includes a pin head and a drive beam connected to the pin head. The pin head includes a protrusion protruding from the side surface. The side surface of the pin head defines a guide groove. When the pin head is inserted into the pin receptacle of the grommet such that the protrusion of the pin head moves past the pin locking fingers, the axial end surfaces of the pin locking fingers engage with the protrusion, thereby preventing the pin head from being disengaged from the pin receptacle. When the panel locking finger, pin locking finger, and pin head are inserted into the panel hole in a first direction, the panel engages the drive beam, moving the pin relative to the grommet in a second direction opposite the first direction, and the engagement between the boss and the guide groove causes the pin head to rotate about its axis relative to the drive beam. This causes the protrusions on the pin head to engage the panel locking fingers, bending the panel locking fingers away from each other. When the pin head rotates a first amount, the protrusions engage the locking grooves, preventing the pin head from rotating, thereby locking the pin head in place relative to the grommet and preventing the fastener from disengaging from the panel hole.

[0023] In one embodiment, the pin-grommet fastener further includes a tether connecting the pin head to the drive beam while allowing rotation of the pin head about its axis, the pin head, drive beam and tether forming a single continuous piece.

[0024] In one aspect, the pin-grommet fastener includes a tubular body having an outer diameter surface from which the drive beam projects and an axial end curved radially inward, the pin further including a pin shaft projecting from the pin head, the pin shaft having a leg projecting from the axial end, the leg having a side surface defining a groove therein, the axial end of the tubular body engaging the groove in the leg, thereby securing the pin shaft to the tubular body when the pin shaft is inserted into the tubular body.

[0025] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an example of a pin-grommet fastener according to the present disclosure, wherein the fastener includes a pin and a grommet. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the grommet of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pin of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the pin-grommet fastener of FIG. 1. [Figure 5A] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pin and grommet fastener of FIG. 1 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 4, showing the fastener in a shipping condition. [Figure 5B] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pin-and-grommet fastener of FIG. 1 taken along line BB shown in FIG. 4, showing the fastener in a shipping condition. [Figure 6A] 4A is a cross-sectional view of the pin and grommet fastener of FIG. 1 taken along line AA of FIG. 4, showing the fastener partially installed relative to a hole in a panel. [Figure 6B]5 is a cross-sectional view of the pin-and-grommet fastener of FIG. 1 taken along line BB of FIG. 4, showing the fastener in a partially installed state. [Figure 7A] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pin and grommet fastener of FIG. 1 taken along line AA of FIG. 4, showing the fastener fully installed relative to the hole in the panel. [Figure 7B] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pin-and-grommet fastener of FIG. 1 taken along line BB of FIG. 4, showing the fastener in a fully installed state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example of a pin-grommet fastener according to the present disclosure, wherein the fastener includes a pin and a grommet. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pin of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pin of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the grommet of FIG. 8. [Figure 12] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the grommet of FIG. 8. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the grommet of FIG. 8 taken along line 13-13 shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] FIG. 9 is a top view of a portion of the grommet of FIG. 8. [Figure 15] FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the pin-grommet fastener of FIG. 8. [Figure 16] FIG. 9 is a top view of the pin-grommet fastener of FIG. 8 in a shipping condition. [Figure 17] 9 is a side view of the pin-and-grommet fastener of FIG. 8 in a shipping condition with a portion of the fastener inserted into a hole in the panel. [Figure 18] 9 is a top view of the pin and grommet fastener of FIG. 8 installed relative to a hole in a panel. [Figure 19] 9 is a side view of the pin and grommet fastener of FIG. 8 installed relative to a hole in a panel. [Figure 20] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example of a pin that can be used in place of the pin of FIG. 8, where the pin includes a male portion and a female portion. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the pin of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the female portion of the pin of FIG. 20. [Figure 23] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the male portion of the pin of FIG. 20. [Figure 24] FIG. 21 is a top view of the male portion of the pin of FIG. 20. [Figure 25] FIG. 21 is a side view of the male portion of the pin of FIG. 20. [Figure 26] 21 is a perspective view of a portion of a pin-grommet fastener including the grommet of FIG. 8 and the pin of FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 27] 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the engagement between the grommet of FIG. 8 and the pin of FIG. 20 that prevents disengagement of the pin from the grommet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In the drawings, reference numerals may be reused to identify similar and / or identical elements.

[0029] 1-4, a pin-grommet fastener 10 can be used to attach a vehicle component, such as a bumper spacer, to a vehicle panel 12 (FIG. 6A) having an aperture 14. The pin-grommet fastener 10 locks upon insertion into the panel 12. The pin-grommet fastener 10 includes a grommet 16 and a pin 18. The grommet 16 may be incorporated into a bracket and / or the component to be attached to the panel 12. The grommet 16 and pin 18 may be made from a thermoplastic material such as acetal, nylon, or glass-filled polypropylene.

[0030] Grommet 16 includes a base 20 having an elongated opening 22 (FIG. 2), a pair of panel locking fingers 24, and a pair of pin locking fingers 26. Panel locking fingers 24 and pin locking fingers 26 protrude from base 20 adjacent opening 22. Panel locking fingers 24 are spaced apart from one another along a lateral width W (FIG. 5B) of opening 22. Pin locking fingers 26 are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal length L (FIG. 5A) of opening 22.

[0031] The grommet 16 further includes a seal 28. The seal 28 protrudes from the base 20 and surrounds the panel locking finger 24 and the pin locking finger 26. The seal 28 may have an umbrella shape, as shown. The panel locking finger 24 and the pin locking finger 26 cooperate to define a pin receptacle 30 (FIG. 2) therebetween.

[0032] As best shown in Figure 2, each panel locking finger 24 has a sloped surface 32 and a shoulder 33. Each pin locking finger 26 includes a body 34 and a sloped protrusion 36 extending from the body 34. The sloped protrusions 36 of the pin locking fingers 26 extend toward each other.

[0033] As best shown in FIG. 3 , the pin 18 includes a pin head 38, a drive beam 40, a pin shaft 42 connecting the pin head 38 to the drive beam 40, a pair of knuckles 44 protruding from opposite sides 46 of the pin shaft 42, and a pin collar 48. The pin collar 48 includes a pair of wedge portions 50 protruding from opposite sides 52 of the pin shaft 42. The side 46 of the pin shaft 42 from which the knuckles 44 protrude is perpendicular to the side 52 of the pin shaft 42 from which the wedge portions 50 of the pin collar 48 protrude. The wedge portions 50 of the pin collar 48 cooperate with the pin head 38 to define a pair of locking grooves 54 therebetween. The drive beam 40 includes a pair of semi-cylindrical portions 56.

[0034] In the example shown in Figure 2, grommet 16 further includes a pair of ribs 58 projecting from base 20. In the example shown in Figure 3, pin 18 further includes a disk-shaped base 60, a pair of annular lips 62 projecting radially from base 60, and a retention tab 64. Drive beam 40 and pin shaft 42 project from a first surface 66 of base 60, and retention tab 64 projects from a second surface 68 of base 60 opposite first surface 66.

[0035] 5A and 5B, the pin 18 can be assembled to the grommet 16 (e.g., for shipping) by inserting the pin 18 in a first direction 70 through the opening 22 in the base 20 of the grommet 16 and the pin receptacle 30 of the grommet 16. Upon inserting the pin 18 into the pin receiver 30 (e.g., using the retention tab 64), the knuckles 44 of the pin shaft 42 engage the panel locking fingers 24, thereby bending the panel locking fingers 24 apart. Additionally, the pin head 38 and pin collar 48 engage the angled protrusions 36 of the pin locking fingers 26, thereby bending the pin locking fingers 26 apart. Furthermore, the annular lip 62 of the pin 18 engages the hole 22 in the base 20 of the grommet 16 to seal the interface between the grommet 16 and the pin 18.

[0036] The pin 18 is inserted in the first direction 70 until the knuckle 44 of the pin shaft 42 moves past the panel locking finger 24, as shown in FIG. 5B, and the pin head 38 and pin collar 48 move past the angled protrusions 36 of the pin locking finger 26, as shown in FIG. 5A. At that point, the angled protrusions 36 of the pin locking finger 26 engage the pin shaft 42, thereby retaining the pin head 38 within the pin receptacle 30. When the pin locking finger 26 is in a relaxed state, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance D between the angled protrusions 36 can be less than the lateral width W ( FIG. 5A ) of the pin shaft 42, so that the pin locking finger 26 biases the angled protrusions 36 toward the pin shaft 42, thereby retaining the pin 18 in position relative to the grommet 16.

[0037] 6A and 6B, fastener 10 can be secured to panel 12 by moving grommet 16 toward panel 12 and inserting panel locking finger 24, pin locking finger 26, and pin head 38 into hole 14 in panel 12 in a first direction 70. Panel 12 then engages drive beam 40, which moves pin 18 relative to grommet 16 in a second direction 72 opposite first direction 70. As a result, knuckle 44 of pin shaft 42 engages with angled surfaces 32 of panel locking fingers 24, thereby bending panel locking fingers 24 away from each other, as shown in FIG. 6B. Additionally, wedge portion 50 of pin collar 48 begins to move past angled protrusion 36 of pin locking finger 26, as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0038] Next, referring to Figures 7A and 7B, grommet 16 is moved toward panel 12 until rib 58 of grommet 16 engages panel 12. At that point, angled protrusion 36 of pin locking finger 26 engages locking groove 54, as shown in Figure 7A, which holds pin 18 in a position where knuckles 44 continue to bend panel locking fingers 24 away from each other, as shown in Figure 7B. This prevents fastener 10 from withdrawing from hole 14 in panel 12. In addition, shoulder 33 of panel locking finger 24 engages the portion of panel 12 surrounding hole 14, further preventing fastener 10 from withdrawing from hole 14. Furthermore, seal 28 presses against panel 12, thereby sealing the interface between panel 12 and grommet 16 surrounding hole 14. Therefore, seal 28 avoids the need for an external seal (i.e., an additional component). Additionally, the presence of pin locking fingers 26 improves the shear and peel performance of fastener 10 .

[0039] 8-15, a pin-grommet fastener 80 can also be used to attach a vehicle component, such as a bumper spacer, to a vehicle panel 82 (FIG. 17) having an aperture 84. The pin-grommet fastener 80 includes a grommet 86 and a pin 88. The grommet 86 may be incorporated into a bracket and / or the component to be attached to the panel 82. The grommet 86 and pin 88 may be made from a thermoplastic material such as acetal, nylon, or glass-filled polypropylene.

[0040] As best shown in FIGS. 11-14 , the grommet 86 includes a base 90 having an elongated opening 92, a pair of panel locking fingers 94, and a pair of pin locking fingers 96. The panel locking fingers 94 and the pin locking fingers 96 protrude from the base 90 adjacent the opening 92. The panel locking fingers 94 are spaced apart from one another along the lateral width W of the opening 92. The pin locking fingers 96 are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal length L of the opening 92. The panel locking fingers 94 and the pin locking fingers 96 cooperate to define a pin receptacle 98 therebetween. The grommet 86 further includes a pair of ribs 100 protruding from the base 90.

[0041] Each panel locking finger 94 has a first side 102 and a second side 104 opposite the first side 102. The first side 102 of each panel locking finger 94 defines a locking groove 106 and a lead-in chamfer 108 therein. The second side 104 of each panel locking finger 94 defines a shoulder 110. The first side 102 and the second side 104 are planar.

[0042] Each pin lock finger 96 has a first side 112, a second side 114 opposite the first side 112, an axial end face 116, and a rectangular slot 118 ( FIG. 13 ) extending through the first side 112 and the second side 114. Additionally, each pin lock finger 96 includes a boss 120 protruding from its first side 112 and a rib 122 protruding from its second side 114. The first side 112 and the second side 114 are curved. In the illustrated example, the boss 120 is cylindrical. However, the boss 120 may have other shapes.

[0043] 9 and 10 , pin 88 includes a pin head 124, a pin base 126, a pair of tethers 128 that connect the pin head 124 to the pin base 126 while allowing rotation of the pin head 124 about its longitudinal axis 129 ( FIG. 8 ), and a drive beam 130 that protrudes from the pin base 126. The pin head 124, pin base 126, tether 128, and drive beam 130 form a single, continuous component. The drive beam 130 is not directly connected to the pin head 124. Rather, the pin base 126 and tether 128 connect the drive beam 130 to the pin head 124.

[0044] The pin head 124 has a pair of first sides 132, a pair of second sides 134, a pair of locking protrusions 136, a pair of guide grooves 138 defined in the first sides 132, and a pair of rectangular recesses 140 defined in the second sides 134. The first sides 132 are curved and opposite each other. The radius of curvature of the first sides 132 of the pin head 124 may be equal to the radius of curvature of the first and second sides 112, 114 of the pin locking fingers 96 (FIG. 14). The second sides 134 are planar and opposite each other.

[0045] A locking protrusion 136 protrudes from a diagonal corner of the pin head 124 at the intersection between the first side 132 and the second side 134. Each guide groove 138 includes an axial section 142 extending along the longitudinal axis 129 and an oblique section 144 oriented at an acute angle to the axial section 142. The depth of the oblique section 144 is greater than the depth of the axial section 142.

[0046] The pin base 126 includes a disk-shaped portion 146 and a cylindrical portion 148 coaxially projecting from the disk-shaped portion 146. The pin base 126 has a pair of holes 150 extending into the disk-shaped portion 146 and the cylindrical portion 148. The holes 150 allow tool access for assembling the pin 88 into the grommet 86. For example, a tool can be inserted into the holes 150 to manipulate the pin head 124 when assembling the pin 88 into the grommet 86. The drive beam 130 includes a pair of triangular blocks 152 projecting from the cylindrical portion 148 of the pin base 126.

[0047] 15 , the pin 88 is assembled to the grommet 86 by aligning the axial section 142 of the guide groove 138 of the pin head 124 with the boss 120 of the pin locking finger 96 and inserting the pin head 124 into the pin receptacle 98 in a first direction 154. As the pin head 124 is inserted into the pin receptacle 98, the boss 120 of the pin locking finger 96 moves through the axial section 142 of the guide groove 138. Additionally, the locking protrusion 136 of the pin head 124 engages the first side 112 of the pin locking finger 96, causing the pin locking fingers 96 to bend away from each other.

[0048] The pin head 124 is inserted into the pin receptacle 98 until the locking protrusions 136 of the pin head 124 move past the pin locking fingers 96. At that point, the pin locking fingers 96 return to their relaxed state and the axial end faces 116 of the pin locking fingers 96 engage the locking protrusions 136, thereby preventing removal of the pin head 124 from the pin receptacle 98. In addition, the bosses 120 of the pin locking fingers 96 engage the angled sections 144 of the guide grooves 138 of the pin head 124.

[0049] 16 and 17, to secure fastener 80 to panel 82, pin 88 is assembled with grommet 86 as described above and shown in FIG. 16. Fastener 80 is then moved toward panel 82 so that panel locking finger 94, pin locking finger 96, and pin head 124 are inserted into hole 84 in panel 82 in first direction 154. Panel 82 then engages drive beam 130 as shown in FIG. 17, thereby moving pin 88 relative to grommet 86 in second direction 156 opposite first direction 154.

[0050] 15, 18, and 19, as the pin 88 moves in a second direction 156 relative to the grommet 86, the boss 120 of the pin locking finger 96 moves along the angled section 144 of the guide groove 138, causing the pin head 124 to rotate about its axis 129 in a third direction 158. Because the depth of the angled section 144 is greater than the depth of the axial section 142, the boss 120 moves along the angled section 144 without returning through the axial section 142. As the pin head 124 rotates in the third direction 158, the locking protrusions 136 of the pin head 124 engage the first sides 102 of the panel locking fingers 94, causing the panel locking fingers 94 to bend away from each other. When this engagement initially occurs, the locking protrusions 136 engage the lead-in chamfer 108 on the first side 102, thereby reducing the required installation force.

[0051] The fastener 80 is pressed against the panel 82, rotating the pin head 124 in a third direction 158 until the rib 100 of the grommet 86 engages the panel 82. At that point, the pin head 124 has rotated an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) in the third direction 158, and the locking protrusions 136 of the pin head 124 engage the locking grooves 106 of the panel locking fingers 94. This engagement prevents further rotation of the pin head 124, thereby locking the pin head 124 in place relative to the grommet 86. Additionally, as the locking protrusions 136 of the pin head 124 engage the locking grooves 106 of the panel locking fingers 94, the panel locking fingers 94 move toward each other but do not return to their relaxed state. This engagement therefore locks the pin head 124 in a position where the locking protrusion 136 continues to bend the panel locking fingers 94 apart, thereby preventing withdrawal of the fastener 80 from the hole 84 in the panel 82. Additionally, the shoulder 110 of the panel locking finger 24 engages the portion of the panel 82 surrounding the hole 84, thereby further preventing withdrawal of the fastener 80 from the hole 84.

[0052] 20-25, pin 160 can be used in place of pin 88 of fastener 80. Pin 160 has a longitudinal axis 161 and includes a pin base 162 and a pin body 164. Pin base 162 and pin body 164 may be made from a thermoplastic material such as acetal, nylon, or glass-filled polypropylene.

[0053] The pin base 162 includes a tubular body 166, an annular flange 168, and a drive beam 170. The tubular body 166 has an inner diameter surface 172, an outer diameter surface 174, a first axial end 175, and a second axial end 176. The inner diameter surface 172 of the tubular body 166 defines a bore 177 extending into the tubular body 166. The annular flange 168 projects radially outward from the outer diameter surface 174 of the tubular body 166. The drive beam 170 includes a pair of rectangular blocks 178 projecting radially outward from the outer diameter surface 174 of the tubular body 166. The first axial end 175 of the tubular body 166 has a concave surface 179. The second axial end 176 of the tubular body 166 is curved radially inward.

[0054] The pin body 164 includes a pin head 180 and a pin shaft 182 protruding from the pin head 180. The pin body 164 has a hole 183 extending through the pin head 180 and the pin shaft 182. The pin head 180 has a pair of first sides 184, a pair of second sides 186, a pair of locking protrusions 188, a pair of guide grooves 190 defined in the first sides 184, and a plurality of ridges 192. The first sides 184 are curved and opposite each other. The radius of curvature of the first sides 184 of the pin head 180 may be equal to the radius of curvature of the first and second sides 112, 114 of the pin locking fingers 96 (FIG. 14). The second sides 186 are planar and opposite each other.

[0055] A locking protrusion 188 projects from a diagonal corner of the pin head 180 at the intersection between the first side 184 and the second side 186. Each guide groove 190 includes an axial section 194 extending along the longitudinal axis 161 and an oblique section 196 oriented at an acute angle to the axial section 194. The depth of the oblique section 196 is greater than the depth of the axial section 194. The pin shaft 182 has a leg 198 projecting from an axial end 200 thereof. The leg 198 has a locking groove 202 defined therein.

[0056] To assemble the pin body 164 to the pin base 162, the pin shaft 182 is inserted into the bore 177 of the tubular body 166. During insertion, the second axial end 176 of the tubular body 166 engages the legs 198 of the pin shaft 192, causing the legs 198 to bend radially inward toward each other. The pin shaft 182 is inserted into the bore 177 of the tubular body 166 until the ridges 192 of the pin head 180 engage the concave surfaces 179 of the first axial end 175 of the tubular body 166, as shown in FIG. 21 . At that point, the legs 198 return to their relaxed state and the second axial end 176 of the tubular body 166 engages the locking grooves 202 in the sides 202 of the legs 198, thereby securing the pin shaft 182 relative to the tubular body 166.

[0057] The pin body 164 is rotatable relative to the pin base 162 about the longitudinal axis 161 of the pin 160. The concave surface 179 of the pin base 162 may be smooth to reduce friction as the pin body 164 rotates relative to the pin base 162. Additionally, the raised portion 192 of the pin head 180 further reduces friction.

[0058] 26 and 27, pin 160 is shown assembled to grommet 86. Pin 160 is assembled to grommet 86 in the same manner as pin 88 is assembled to grommet 86. Additionally, a fastener comprising pin 160 and grommet 86 can be secured to a panel in the same manner as fastener 80 is secured to a panel.

[0059] The foregoing description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Accordingly, while the present disclosure includes certain examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to such, as other variations will become apparent upon review of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. Furthermore, although each of the embodiments is described above as having particular features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented in and / or combined with any feature of any other embodiment, even if that combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and substitution of one or more embodiments for one another remains within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "coupled," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly stated to be "direct," when a relationship between a first and second element is described in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship, with no other intervening elements between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect relationship (spatial or functional), with one or more intervening elements between the first and second elements.

[0061] Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, but these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0062] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "inside," "outside," "below," "belower," "lower," "upper," and the like may be used herein to describe the relationship of an element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were turned upside down, elements described as being "below" or "below" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "lower" can include both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at another orientation), and the spatially relative descriptions used herein can be interpreted accordingly.

[0063] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be interpreted to mean the logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and not to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

Claims

1. 1. A pin and grommet fastener configured to be secured to a panel within an aperture in the panel, comprising: a grommet including a base having an opening, a pair of panel locking fingers projecting from the base adjacent the opening, and a pair of pin locking fingers projecting from the base adjacent the opening, the panel locking fingers and the pin locking fingers cooperating with one another to define a pin receptacle therebetween; a pin including a pin head, a drive beam coupled to the pin head, and a pair of protrusions, wherein when the pin head is inserted through the opening in the base of the grommet and into the pin receptacle of the grommet, the pin locking fingers engage the pin, thereby retaining the pin head within the pin receiving portion, and when the panel locking fingers, the pin locking fingers, and the pin head are inserted into the hole in the panel in a first direction, the panel engages the drive beam, thereby moving the pin in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the grommet, whereby the protrusions of the pin engage the panel locking fingers, thereby bending the panel locking fingers away from each other, thereby preventing disengagement of the fastener from the hole in the panel; A pin and grommet fastener comprising:

2. 2. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 1, wherein the opening in the base of the grommet is elongated, the panel locking fingers are spaced apart from one another along a lateral width of the opening, and the pin locking fingers are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal length of the opening.

3. 3. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 1, wherein when the protrusions of the pin engage the panel locking fingers, thereby bending the panel locking fingers apart, the pin locking fingers engage the pin head, thereby holding the pin in a position where the protrusions keep the panel locking fingers bent apart.

4. 4. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 1, wherein the pin further includes a pin shaft connecting the pin head to the drive beam, and the protrusion of the pin is a knuckle protruding from the pin shaft.

5. 5. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 4, wherein the pin further includes a pin collar projecting from the pin shaft and cooperating with the pin head to define a pair of locking grooves, and the pin locking fingers include a pair of protrusions configured to engage the locking grooves of the pin to retain the pin head within the pin receptacle.

6. 6. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 5, wherein when the pin is inserted into the pin receptacle of the grommet and the pin head and pin collar move past the protrusion of the pin locking finger, the protrusion of the pin locking finger engages the pin shaft, thereby retaining the pin head within the pin receptacle.

7. 7. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 1, wherein a side surface of the pin head defines a guide groove, and the pin locking finger includes a boss that engages with the guide groove when the pin head is in the pin receptacle, such that when engagement between the drive beam and the panel causes the pin to move in the second direction relative to the grommet, engagement between the boss and the guide groove causes the pin head to rotate about its axis relative to the drive beam.

8. 8. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 7, wherein the protrusions protrude from the sides of the pin head and engage the sides of the panel locking fingers, thereby bending the panel locking fingers apart when the pin head rotates due to movement of the pin in the second direction and engagement of the boss with the guide groove.

9. 9. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 8, wherein when the pin head is inserted into the pin receptacle and the protrusion of the pin head moves past the pin locking finger, an axial end face of the pin locking finger engages with the protrusion, thereby preventing the pin head from disengaging from the pin receptacle.

10. 10. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 8 or 9, wherein the panel locking finger defines a locking groove, and wherein the protrusion on the pin head engages with the locking groove on the panel locking finger when the pin head is rotated a first amount, the engagement between the protrusion and the locking groove preventing rotation of the pin head, thereby locking the pin head in place relative to the grommet.

11. 11. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 10, wherein the locking groove is defined in a first side surface of the pin locking finger, and the panel locking finger further includes an overhang protruding from a second side surface opposite the first side surface, wherein when the panel locking finger is inserted into the hole in the panel, the overhang of the panel locking finger engages with an underside of the panel, thereby further preventing disengagement of the fastener from the hole in the panel.

12. The pin and grommet fastener of any preceding claim, further comprising a tether connecting the pin head to the drive beam while allowing rotation of the pin head about its axis.

13. 13. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 1, further comprising a tubular body having an outer diameter surface from which the drive beam projects, and the pin further comprising a pin shaft projecting from the pin head and configured to be secured within the tubular body by a snap fit to connect the pin head to the drive beam.

14. 14. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 13, wherein the pin shaft has legs projecting from axial ends thereof, the legs having sides defining grooves therein, and the tubular body has an annular flange projecting radially outward, the annular flange engaging the grooves in the legs, thereby securing the pin shaft relative to the tubular body when the pin shaft is inserted into the tubular body.

15. 1. A pin and grommet fastener configured to be secured to a panel within an aperture in the panel, comprising: a grommet including a base having an opening, a pair of panel locking fingers projecting from the base adjacent the opening, and a pair of pin locking fingers projecting from the base adjacent the opening, the panel locking fingers and the pin locking fingers cooperating with each other to define a pin receptacle therebetween, the pin locking fingers including protrusions projecting toward each other; a pin including a pin head, a drive beam, a pin shaft connecting the pin head to the drive beam, knuckles protruding from opposite sides of the pin shaft, and pin collars protruding from opposite sides of the pin shaft and cooperating with the pin head to define a pair of locking grooves, wherein when the pin head and the pin shaft are inserted through the opening in the base of the grommet and into the pin receptacle of the grommet, the protrusions of the pin locking fingers engage the pin shaft, thereby retaining the pin head within the pin receiving portion, and the panel locking fingers, the pin locking fingers, and the pin head are moved in a first direction relative to the panel. When inserted into the hole in a panel, the panel engages the drive beam, thereby moving the pin in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the grommet, whereby the knuckle on the pin shaft engages the panel locking fingers, thereby bending the panel locking fingers apart, and when the pin collar moves in the second direction past the protrusions on the pin locking fingers, the protrusions engage the locking grooves on the pin, whereby the pin is held in a position where the knuckles keep the panel locking fingers bent apart, thereby preventing disengagement of the fastener from the hole in the panel. A pin and grommet fastener comprising:

16. 16. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 15, wherein the opening in the base of the grommet is elongated, the panel locking fingers are spaced apart from one another along a lateral width of the opening, the pin locking fingers are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal length of the opening, and the side of the pin shaft from which the knuckle projects is perpendicular to the side of the pin shaft from which the pin collar projects.

17. 17. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 15 or 16, wherein the grommet further includes a seal, the seal protruding from the base and surrounding the panel locking finger and the pin locking finger, and configured to be pressed against the panel when the panel locking finger, the pin locking finger and the pin head are inserted into the hole in the panel and the protrusion of the pin locking finger engages with the locking groove of the pin.

18. 1. A pin and grommet fastener configured to be secured to a panel within an aperture in the panel, comprising: a grommet including a base, a pair of panel locking fingers projecting from the base, and a pair of pin locking fingers projecting from the base, the panel locking fingers and the pin locking fingers cooperating with one another to define a pin receptacle therebetween, the panel locking fingers having sides defining locking grooves therein, and the pin locking fingers including bosses projecting from the sides; a pin including a pin head and a drive beam connected to the pin head, the pin head including a protrusion protruding from a side surface thereof, the side surface of the pin head defining a guide groove, when the pin head is inserted into the pin receptacle of the grommet such that the protrusion of the pin head moves past the pin locking finger, an axial end surface of the pin locking finger engages with the protrusion, thereby preventing the pin head from being disengaged from the pin receptacle, when the panel locking finger, the pin locking finger, and the pin head are inserted into the hole of the panel in a first direction, the panel engages the drive beam. whereby the pin is moved relative to the grommet in a second direction opposite the first direction, and engagement between the boss and the guide groove causes the pin head to rotate about its axis relative to the drive beam, whereby the protrusions on the pin head engage the panel locking fingers, whereby the panel locking fingers are bent away from each other, and when the pin head rotates a first amount, the protrusions engage the locking grooves, whereby rotation of the pin head is prevented, whereby the pin head is locked in position relative to the grommet and disengagement of the fastener from the hole in the panel is prevented. A pin and grommet fastener comprising:

19. 20. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 18, further comprising a tether connecting said pin head to said drive beam while allowing rotation of said pin head about its axis, said pin head, said drive beam and said tether forming a single continuous piece.

20. 20. The pin and grommet fastener of claim 18 or 19, wherein the drive beam further comprises a tubular body having an outer diameter surface from which the drive beam projects and an axial end curved radially inward, the pin further comprising a pin shaft projecting from the pin head, the pin shaft having a leg projecting from its axial end, the leg having a side surface defining a groove therein, the axial end of the tubular body engaging the groove in the leg, thereby securing the pin shaft to the tubular body when the pin shaft is inserted into the tubular body.

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