Light weight hole plug

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11054032-B2
Application number	US-201816227937-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2018
Priority date	Jan 11, 2018
Publication date	Jul 6, 2021
Grant date	Jul 6, 2021

Abstract

A hole plug includes a cap and a securing frame. The securing frame extends from the cap. The securing frame includes first and second support legs, first and second connectors, and a lock body. The first connector is engaged with the first support leg. The second connector is engaged with the second support leg. The lock body is engaged with the first and second connectors.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hole plug, comprising:
a cap; and
a securing frame extending from the cap, wherein the securing frame comprises:
a first support leg,
a second support leg,
a first connector engaged with the first support leg,
a second connector engaged with the second support leg, and
a lock body engaged with the first and second connectors,

wherein the lock body comprises a stopper leg that extends inwardly and upwardly
toward the cap, and
wherein the stopper leg selectively contacts the cap.

2. The hole plug of claim 1 , wherein the securing frame is a first securing frame and further comprising a second securing frame, the first and second securing frames defining an arch.

3. The hole plug of claim 2 , wherein the second securing frame is opposite the first securing frame, the arch is a first arch, and the first and second securing frames define a second arch opposite the first arch.

4. The hole plug of claim 1 , wherein the lock body comprises a tooth to engage an opening in a panel.

5. The hole plug of claim 1 , wherein when the stopper leg contacts the cap, the stopper leg prevents outward rotation of the lock body relative to the first and second support legs.

6. The hole plug of claim 1 , wherein the lock body is rotatable relative to the first and second support legs via the first and second connectors.

7. The hole plug of claim 6 , wherein the first connector and the second connector act as torsional springs, and wherein the first connector has a first spring constant and the second connector has a second spring constant.

8. The hole plug of claim 7 , wherein the first connector has a first upper radius and the second connector has a second upper radius, and wherein the first spring constant is related to the first upper radius and the second spring constant is related to the second upper radius.

9. The hole plug of claim 1 , wherein the cap and the securing frame define an opening.

10. The hole plug of claim 1 , wherein the lock body comprises an insertion taper.

11. A hole plug,
comprising:
a cap;
an arcuate support leg extending from the cap;
an arcuate connector extending from the arcuate support leg; and
a lock body engaged with the arcuate connector, the lock body comprising an inwardly extending stopper leg.

12. The hole plug of claim 11 , wherein the lock body further comprises an outwardly extending tooth.

13. The hole plug of claim 12 , wherein the lock body further comprises an insertion taper connected to the outwardly extending tooth and opposite the stopper leg.

14. A hole plug, comprising:
a cap; and
a first securing frame extending from the cap, wherein the first securing frame
comprises:
a first support leg,
a second support leg,
a first connector engaged with the first support leg,
a second connector engaged with the second support leg, and
a lock body engaged with the first and second connectors,

wherein the lock body comprises a stopper leg that extends inwardly and upwardly toward the cap, and
further comprising a second securing frame, the first and second securing frames defining an arch.

15. The hole plug of claim 14 , wherein the second securing frame is opposite the first securing frame, the arch is a first arch, and the first and second securing frames define a second arch opposite the first arch.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Chlystek Thomas Michael
• Wang Tao
• Siragusa George
• Mamelson Gregory

Classifications

• H01B7/40

  with arrangements for facilitating mounting or securing · CPC title

• B60R16/0215 Primary

  Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor · CPC title

• F16J13/02 Primary

  Detachable closure members; Means for tightening closures (F16J13/16, F16J13/22 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16J13/14 Primary

  attached exclusively by spring action or elastic action · CPC title