Fastener

Claim 2

A one-piece, molded fastener for sealing, self-retention in an apertured panel, said fastener comprising: an axially extending shank having a cross-sectional shape closely conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said panel apertures, one end of said shank having a plurality of radially outwardly extending protuberances thereon, said one end of said shank having a plurality of radially and axially extending slots therein, the intersection of said slots being generally coaxial with the axis of said shank and defining an axially extending, fastener receiving cavity, said protuberances having an inclined, radially outer surface, said radially outer surface being radially inwardly inclined toward said one end, the inner surfaces of said shank axially coincident with said protuberances being radially outwardly inclined away from said one end, said radially outer surfaces and said inner surfaces meeting substantially at said one end whereby a member making axial sufficiently pressurized contact with said one end will cause said shank adjacent said one end to fold radially inwardly; and a semi-spherical, dished head attached to the other end of said shank, said head attached with its concave surface facing said one end of said shank, said dished head having a continuous, radially outer periphery defining a plane substantially normal to the axis of said shank, said defined plane being spaced from said protuberances by an axial distance less than the thickness of said aperture panel, said dished head having a continuous substantially convex surface opposite its concave surface.

Claim 3

The fastener of claim 1 wherein said convex surface has a cap-like projection extending in a direction opposite the shank, said cap-like projection defining a cavity sealed from said convex surface coaxial with the fastener receiving cavity defined by the intersection of said slots.

Claim 4

The fastener of claim 2 wherein the wall of said cap-like projection axially aligned with said fastener receiving cavity is comprised of a thin, film like material.

Claim 5

The fastener of claim 2 wherein at least one rib like projection extends from said convex surface of said dished head.

Claim 6

The fastener of claim 4 wherein said panel aperture is substantially rectangular in cross section, said shank is substantially rectangular in cross section and said slots lie along the diagonals of said cross-sectionally rectangular shank.

Claim 7

A two piece fastener for mounting a member in spaced relation to an apertured panel and for sealing one side of said panel from the other, said fastener comprising: a molded, one-piece, first portion for self-retention in an apertured panel and for receiving an externally threaded member from the side of the panel opposite the side from which the fastener is inserted while sealing the panel aperture from the side of the panel from which the first member is inserted, said first portion comprising: an axially extending shank having a cross section closely corresponding to the cross section of said aperture, said shank having a plurality of radially outwardly extending protuberances on one end thereof, said one end designed for insertion into the aperture, said protuberances having a radially outer surface inclined radially inwardly toward said one end, said one end of said shank having a plurality of radially and axially extending slots therein, the intersection of said slots being generally coaxial with the axis of said shank and defining an axially extending fastener receiving cavity in said shank, said protuberances designed to engage the side of the panel opposite the side from which the shank is inserted into the aperture; the inner surfaces of said shank axially coincident with said protuberances being radially outwardly inclined away from said one end, said radially outer surfaces and said inner surfaces substantially meeting at said one end; and a semi-spherical, dished head attached to the other end of said shank, said dished head attached with its concave surface facing said one end of said shank, said dished head having a continuous radially outer periphery defining a plane substantially normal to the axis of said shank, said defined plane being spaced from said protuberances by an axial distance less than the thickness of said apertured panel, said dished head having a continuous, substantially convex surface opposite its concave surface, said continuous surface having a cap-like projection extending axially in a direction opposite the shank, said cap-like projection defining a second cavity coaxial with said fastener receiving cavity, said cap-like projection having a thin, film-like wall axially aligned with said fastener receiving cavity; and a molded second portion, said second portion comprising a substantially tubular body having an axially extending passage therethrough, one end of said tubular body having a plurality of radially and axially extending fins for interference fit into said slots and a flange for engaging the outer surface of said protuberances to mount said second portion to said first portion on the side of said panel opposite the side from which the shank is inserted with said passage aligned with said fastener receiving cavity.

Claim 8

A two piece fastener for mounting a member in spaced relation to an apertured panel and for sealing one side of said panel from the other, said fastener comprising: a molded, one-piece, first portion for self-retention in an apertured panel and for receiving an externally threaded member from the side of the panel opposite the side from which the fastener is inserted while sealing the panel aperture from the side of the panel from which the first member is inserted, said first portion comprising: an axially extending shank having a cross section closely corresponding to the cross section of said aperture, said shank having a plurality of radially outwardly extending protuberances on one end thereof, said one end designed for insertion into the aperture, said protuberances having a radially outer surface inclined radially inwardly toward said one end, said one end of said shank having a plurality of radially and axially extending slots therein, the intersection of said slots being generally coaxial with the axis of said shank and defining an axially extending fastener receiving cavity in said shank, said protuberances designed to engage the side of the panel opposite the side from which the shank is inserted into the aperture; the inner surfaces of said shank axially coincident with said protuberances being radially outwardly inclined away from said one end, said radially outer surfaces and said inner surfaces substantially meeting at said one end; and a semi-spherical, dished head attached to the other end of said shank, said dished head attached with its concave surface facing said one end of said shank, said dished head having a continuous radially outer periphery defining a plane substantially normal to the axis of said shank, said defined plane being spaced from said protuberances by an axial distance less than the thickness of said apertured panel, said dished head having a continuous, substantially convex surface opposite its concave surface, said continuous surface having a cap-like projection extending axially in a direction opposite the shank, said cap-like projection defining a second cavity coaxial with said fastener receiving cavity, said cap-like projection having a thin, film-like wall axially aligned with said fastener receiving cavity; and a molded second portion, said second portion comprising a substantially tubular body having an axially extending passage therethrough, one end of said tubular body having a plurality of radially and axially extending fins for interference fit into said slots and a flange for engaging the outer surface of said protuberances to mount said second portion to said first portion on the side of said panel opposite the side from which the shank is inserted with said passage aligned with said fastener receiving cavity.

Claim 9

The fastener of claim 6 wherein said panel aperture is substantially rectangular in cross section, said shank is substantially rectangular in cross section and said slots lie along the diagonals of said cross-sectionally rectangular shank.