Integrated fastener for plastic automotive components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10155481-B2
Application number	US-201715648965-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 13, 2017
Priority date	Oct 7, 2014
Publication date	Dec 18, 2018
Grant date	Dec 18, 2018

Abstract

An integrated fastener comprises a component portion including a component housing surrounding a component, a linking platform molded extending from the component portion. A securing means is capable of being received within a receptacle defined by the linking platform and is designed to be received within an aperture defined by an automotive component. The securing means is capable of securing the component portion to the automotive component. The component portion, the linking platform, and the securing means are molded as one piece.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of securing an integrated fastener to an automotive component comprising:
providing a securing means having a linking platform which extends from a component portion of the integrated fastener and wherein the component portion, the securing means, and the linking platform are molded as one piece;
inserting the securing means within an aperture defined by an automotive component;
securing the component portion of the integrated fastener to the automotive component with the securing means;
wherein inserting the securing means within the aperture further comprises applying a force to a first portion of the securing means to move the securing means relative to the linking platform, wherein the relative movement breaks at least one molded connection between the securing means and the linking platform such that a second portion of the securing means is received further within the receptacle;
preventing transverse movement of the securing means relative to the linking platform through a locking mechanism; and
inserting the second portion of the securing means within an aperture defined by the automotive component, wherein the first and second portions is a bolt shaft that is threaded within the aperture until the linking platform is seated against the automotive component and a bolt head is also seated on the linking platform;
wherein the locking mechanism is protrusions on the bolt head that deform and engage the linking platform to prevent rotation relative to the platform, thus preventing transverse movement between the securing means and the linking platform, once the bolt head has been fully seated against the platform.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is an interference fit between the bolt shaft and the linking platform.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the linking platform defines a pressure relief groove that provides a spring pressure on the bolt shaft when the bolt has been threaded into the aperture.

4. A method of securing an integrated fastener to an automotive component comprising:
providing a securing means having a linking platform which extends from a component portion of the integrated fastener and wherein the component portion, the securing means, and the linking platform are molded as one piece;
inserting the securing means within an aperture defined by an automotive component;
securing the component portion of the integrated fastener to the automotive component with the securing means;
wherein inserting the securing means within the aperture further comprises applying a force to a first portion of the securing means to move the securing means relative to the linking platform, wherein the relative movement breaks at least one molded connection between the securing means and the linking platform such that a second portion of the securing means is received further within the receptacle;
preventing transverse movement of the securing means relative to the linking platform through a locking mechanism; and
inserting the second portion of the securing means within an aperture defined by the automotive component, wherein the first and second portions is a bolt shaft that is threaded within the aperture until the linking platform is seated against the automotive component and a bolt head is also seated on the linking platform;
wherein the locking mechanism is an interference fit between the bolt shaft and the linking platform; and
wherein the linking platform defines a pressure relief groove that provides a spring pressure on the bolt shaft when the bolt has been threaded into the aperture.

Assignees

• Continental automotive systems inc

Inventors

• Vich Gaetan

Classifications

• B60R11/00 Primary

  Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• F16B39/22

  in which the locking takes place during screwing down or tightening (F16B39/01 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60R2011/0052

  using screws, bolts, rivets or the like · CPC title

• F16B19/04

  Rivets; Spigots or the like fastened by riveting (lead seals G09F3/00) · CPC title

• F16B13/126 Primary

  fastened by inserting an unthreaded element, e.g. pin or nail (F16B13/122, F16B13/128 take precedence) · CPC title