Systems and methods for a connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11454263-B2
Application number	US-201916714365-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 13, 2019
Priority date	Jan 7, 2019
Publication date	Sep 27, 2022
Grant date	Sep 27, 2022

Abstract

A connector is provided. The connector includes a post defining a first side, a second side, and a first end. The connector further includes a stationary wing formed on the first side of the post and extending away from the first side of the post. The stationary wing is inflexible relative to the post. The connector further includes a flexible wing attached to the second side of the post adjacent to the first end and extending away from second side of the post. The flexible wing is configured to flex relative to the post.

First claim

We claim:

1. A connector comprising:
a post defining a first side, a second side, and a first end;
a stationary wing formed on the first side of the post and extending away from the first side of the post, wherein the stationary wing is inflexible relative to the post, and wherein the stationary wing includes a first stationary ramped surface, a stationary ramp peak, and a second stationary ramped surface; and
a flexible wing attached to the second side of the post adjacent to the first end and extending away from second side of the post, wherein the flexible wing is configured to flex relative to the post.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the post and the stationary wing are integrally formed.

3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the post, the stationary wing, and the flexible wing are integrally formed.

4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first stationary ramped surface is angled in a direction away from the first side of the post, and the second stationary ramped surface is angled in a direction toward the first side of the post.

5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible wing includes a first flexible ramped surface, a flexible ramp peak, and a second flexible ramped surface.

6. The connector of claim 5 , wherein the first flexible ramped surface is angled in a direction away from the second side of the post, and the second flexible ramped surface is angled in a direction toward the second side of the post.

7. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the post defines a greatest lateral thickness relative to the stationary wing and the flexible wing.

8. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the post includes one or more post protrusions extending away from a central hub.

9. The connector of claim 8 , wherein the one or more post protrusions provide an increased lateral thickness of the post.

10. A connector comprising:
a post defining a first side, a second side, and a first end;
a stationary wing formed on the first side of the post and extending away from the first side of the post, wherein the stationary wing is inflexible relative to the post, wherein the stationary wing includes a first stationary ramped surface, a stationary ramp peak, and a second stationary ramped surface, and wherein the first stationary ramped surface is angled in a direction away from the first side of the post, and the second stationary ramped surface is angled in a direction toward the first side of the post; and
a flexible wing attached to the second side of the post adjacent to the first end and extending away from second side of the post, wherein a gap is formed between at least a portion of the flexible wing and the second side of the post to enable the flexible wing to flex relative to the post.

11. The connector of claim 10 , wherein the flexible wing includes a first flexible ramped surface, a flexible ramp peak, and a second flexible ramped surface, and wherein the first flexible ramped surface is angled in a direction away from the second side of the post, and the second flexible ramped surface is angled in a direction toward the second side of the post.

12. The connector of claim 10 , wherein the post includes one or more post protrusions extending away from a central hub.

13. The connector of claim 12 , wherein the one or more post protrusions provide an increased lateral thickness of the post relative to the stationary wing and the flexible wing.

14. A connector assembly including a component having a mounting surface, the connector assembly comprising:
a connector including:
a post defining a first side, a second side, and a first end;
a stationary wing formed on the first side of the post and extending away from the first side of the post, wherein the stationary wing includes a first stationary ramped surface, a stationary ramp peak, and a second stationary ramped surface; and
a flexible wing attached to the second side of the post adjacent to the first end and extending away from second side of the post,
wherein the stationary wing is inflexible relative to the post and the flexible wing is flexible relative to the post, the flexible wing being configured to:
upon insertion of the connector into the mounting surface of the component, flex toward the second side of the post and then away from the second side of the post to retain a connection between the connector and the component.

15. The connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein when a moment is generated on the connector, the moment acts on the stationary wing and the post of the connector.

16. The connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first stationary ramped surface is angled in a direction away from the first side of the post, and the second stationary ramped surface is angled in a direction toward the first side of the post.

17. The connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein the flexible wing includes a first flexible ramped surface, a flexible ramp peak, and a second flexible ramped surface, and wherein the first flexible ramped surface is angled in a direction away from the second side of the post, and the second flexible ramped surface is angled in a direction toward the second side of the post.

18. The connector assembly of claim 14 , wherein the post defines a greatest lateral thickness relative to the stationary wing and the flexible wing.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Benoit Thomas A
• Bell Kileean E

Classifications

• F16B5/0084 Primary

  characterised by particular locking means · CPC title

• H01R13/629

  Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure {electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances (separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26)} · CPC title

• F16B5/0607

  joining sheets or plates to each other (F16B5/0692, F16B21/082 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16B5/0685

  Joining sheets or plates to strips or bars (F16B5/0692 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16B21/086 Primary

  the shank of the stud, pin or spigot having elevations, ribs, fins or prongs intended for deformation or tilting predominantly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion · CPC title