Combination stud and panel fastener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12326166-B2
Application number	US-202318138182-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 24, 2023
Priority date	May 2, 2022
Publication date	Jun 10, 2025
Grant date	Jun 10, 2025

Abstract

Described is a combination fastener for attaching an object to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component. The combination fastener includes a carrier portion to retain the object and a fastener portion. The fastener portion includes a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud. A plurality of stud-retention features are resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall to retain the stud within the hollow space. Each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space. A plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall to retain the combination fastener within the opening.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A combination fastener for attaching a tube to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination fastener comprising:
a carrier portion configured to retain the tube; and
a fastener portion having a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud, the fastener portion having:
a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space, wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and
a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination fastener within the opening.

2. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of legs arranged as a clip assembly.

3. The combination fastener of claim 2 , wherein the clip assembly is a “W-type” clip assembly.

4. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features includes a return arm resiliently connected to the body sidewall and configured to deflect as the as the stud passes through the hollow space.

5. The combination fastener of claim 4 , wherein each of the panel-retention features comprises a foot positioned at a distal end of the return arm.

6. The combination fastener of claim 5 , wherein the foot comprises one or more friction features.

7. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure.

8. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure via an additive manufacturing technique.

9. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein a leading end of the body sidewall is chamfered along an inner perimeter to align and guide the stud into the hollow space during assembly.

10. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein a leading end of the body sidewall is chamfered along an outer perimeter to align and guide the fastener portion into the opening during assembly.

11. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of fins arranged as a push-pin assembly.

12. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of box-prong legs arranged as a box-prong assembly.

13. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the carrier portion comprises a pocket configured to retain the tube.

14. The combination fastener of claim 13 , wherein the carrier portion comprises a lid configured to secure the tube in the pocket, wherein the lid is coupled to the carrier portion via a hinge.

15. A combination tube fastener for attaching at least one tube to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination tube fastener comprising:
a carrier portion configured to retain the at least one tube, wherein the carrier portion comprises a pocket configured to retain the tube; and
a fastener portion coupled to the carrier portion and having a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud, the fastener portion having:
a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space, wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and
a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination tube fastener within the opening.

16. A combination fastener for coupling to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination fastener comprising:
a carrier portion having a lid coupled to the carrier portion via a hinge and configured to secure an object relative to the carrier portion;
a body sidewall coupled to the carrier portion that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud;
a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space,
wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and
a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination fastener within the opening.

17. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of legs arranged as a clip assembly.

18. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of fins arranged as a push-pin assembly.

19. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of box-prong legs arranged as a box-prong assembly.

20. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Lepper Mark O
• Fickert Andrea

Classifications

• F16B21/071

  the socket being integrally formed with a component to be fasted, e.g. a sheet, plate or strip · CPC title

• F16B21/086

  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

• F16B37/0842

  fastened to the threaded bolt with snap-on-action, e.g. push-on nuts for stud bolts (F16B37/0857 takes precedence; snap-on-action of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it F16B21/06) · CPC title

• F16B21/075

  the socket having resilient parts on its inside and outside · CPC title

• B60R13/02

  {Internal} Trim mouldings {; Internal} Ledges; Wall liners {for passenger compartments}; Roof liners (B60R13/01 takes precedence {; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18}) · CPC title