US3678797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1970-07-02
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A resilient fastener comprising a head and a shank which is mountable in a workpiece formed with a circular aperture. The shank comprises a substantially flat and rigid stem, which is integral with the head and which extends lengthwise of the shank in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the shank. Extending lengthwise of the shank on opposite sides of the stem are two resilient tongues each of which is joined to the stem along one longitudinal edge and each of which has a free longitudinal edge which is flexible towards the stem in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the stem. Preferably, an outwardly projecting rib is provided extending lengthwise along the free longitudinal edge of each tongue and each rib is shouldered adjacent the head.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford A Seckerson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/06; F16B21/08; F16B21/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
303 words
A resilient fastener comprising a head and a shank adapted for insertion in a complementary aperture in a panel, the shank including a solid, substantially flat stem joined to the head and extending lengthwise of the shank and containing the axis of the shank, the width of the stem being substantially equal to the width of the complementary aperture in a panel adapted to receive the shank, and two flexible tongues extending lengthwise of the shank, the tongues being joined lengthwise to opposite side faces of the stem at points adjacent to but spaced inwardly toward the axis of the shank from a longitudinal edge of the stem and extending from said points of jointure with the stem to free ends lying beyond an imaginary plane extending through the axis of the shank perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the stem but terminating inwardly of a longitudinal edge of the stem opposite the longitudinal edge of the stem proximate the said points of jointure, the tongues in the vicinity of the free ends thereof having internal faces disposed in spaced, generally pArallel relationship to the opposite side faces of the stem and having external ribs formed thereon in the vicinity of the free ends thereof defining outwardly facing bearing surfaces, said bearing surfaces being spaced radially outwardly from the axis of the shank a greater distance than are the longitudinal edges of the stem, whereby the portions of the tongues having the ribs formed thereon will readily flex inwardly toward the plane of the stem containing the axis of the shank to facilitate insertion of the shank into a complementary aperture in a panel, and whereby, subsequent to insertion in the aperture in the panel, the shank will engage the edges of the panel adjacent the aperture at four substantially equiangularly spaced points.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
303 words
A resilient fastener comprising a head and a shank adapted for insertion in a complementary aperture in a panel, the shank including a solid, substantially flat stem joined to the head and extending lengthwise of the shank and containing the axis of the shank, the width of the stem being substantially equal to the width of the complementary aperture in a panel adapted to receive the shank, and two flexible tongues extending lengthwise of the shank, the tongues being joined lengthwise to opposite side faces of the stem at points adjacent to but spaced inwardly toward the axis of the shank from a longitudinal edge of the stem and extending from said points of jointure with the stem to free ends lying beyond an imaginary plane extending through the axis of the shank perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the stem but terminating inwardly of a longitudinal edge of the stem opposite the longitudinal edge of the stem proximate the said points of jointure, the tongues in the vicinity of the free ends thereof having internal faces disposed in spaced, generally pArallel relationship to the opposite side faces of the stem and having external ribs formed thereon in the vicinity of the free ends thereof defining outwardly facing bearing surfaces, said bearing surfaces being spaced radially outwardly from the axis of the shank a greater distance than are the longitudinal edges of the stem, whereby the portions of the tongues having the ribs formed thereon will readily flex inwardly toward the plane of the stem containing the axis of the shank to facilitate insertion of the shank into a complementary aperture in a panel, and whereby, subsequent to insertion in the aperture in the panel, the shank will engage the edges of the panel adjacent the aperture at four substantially equiangularly spaced points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the said tongues extend inwardly from the said points of jointure with the stem along arcuate paths as viewed in a transverse cross section of the shank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the said tongues are connected to the head only through the stem and the ends of the tongues proximate the head are spaced, in their entirety, from the head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the said external ribs formed on the tongues extend longitudinally from the ends of the tongues proximate the head and continuously increase in thickness to a point intermediate the length of the tongues and beyond the said point continuously decreased in thickness to the ends of the tongues remote from the head whereby an outwardly sloping shoulder is provided on each tongue between its end proximate the head and the said intermediate point, and said outwardly facing bearing surfaces progressively diverge from the axis of the shank between the last mentioned ends of the tongues and the said intermediate point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fastener according to claim 2 wherein the tongues form a radially collapsible, open ended tube bisected by the stem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the stem and tongues terminate, at the longitudinal end of the shank remote from the head, in a solid tip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fastener according to claim 1 wherein each of the said outwardly facing bearing surfaces defined by the ribs is convexly curved as viewed in a cross section transverse the axis of the shank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fastener according to claim 1 wherein each of the tongues is joined to an opposite face of the stem adjacent to but spaced inwardly from an opposite longitudinal edge of the stem.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |