CN1573136A

CN1573136A - Fastener

Info

Publication number: CN1573136A
Application number: CNA2004100346400A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 约瑟夫·安什尔; 保罗·马特韦
Original assignee: NATIONAL MOULDING CORP
Current assignee: NATIONAL MOULDING CORP; National Molding Corp
Priority date: 2003-06-06
Filing date: 2004-04-19
Publication date: 2005-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-19
Also published as: KR20040108544A; JP2004360912A; CN100386532C; DE102004015940A1; JP4069275B2

Abstract

A fastener comprises an anchor and a central pin. The anchor has a top plate to which a central leg is connected. At the free end of the central leg are two anchor arms that extend up and outward from the free end, forming an arrowhead shape. Each anchor arm has an outwardly extending lip connected to its free end. The anchor arms are flexible and can flex inward as the anchor is placed through a hole in an item to be fastened. Connected to the top surface of the top plate is a push pin. Depressing the push pin breaks the connection areas to create a two-piece anchor from the single part. The push pin comprises a push button and a pin connected to the underside of the push button. The pin consists of a vertical post having a channel therein for accommodating the central leg of the anchor. Pushing the push button downward causes the anchor arms to be pushed outward and to anchor the fastener into the items to be fastened.

Description

Fastener

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of two planar objects are fastened to retainer together, pre-loaded.More specifically, the present invention relates to a kind of fastener, it comprises grasp and is specifically designed to wallboard with car body and is fixed to push rod on the metal base plate.

Background technique

The grasp type fastener that has center-pole is known, for example, authorize people's such as Beglinger U. S. Patent 4,571, the plastics fastener of having represented a kind of by the two-piece type that grasp and center-pole constituted No. 134, its grasp comprise V-arrangement insertion portion and top board of a closure.Grasp passes two planar objects that (or a plurality of) are to be tightened.Center-pole extends downwards between the V-arrangement arm, and when center-pole is depressed fully, makes the V-arrangement arm open.This object that makes fastener an ancient unit of weight live the back that opens prevents that fastener from therefrom deviating from.Top board has prevented that the object of front breaks away from the object of its back.Though such fastener is widely used, closed V-arrangement grasp makes it be difficult to install, and this is because no matter be that the anchor arm of V-arrangement is curved inwardly fully, to pass the hole on the object to be installed; The anchor arm of V-arrangement is outwards opened fully,, and grasp is remained on the object, all need with very big power so that push rod can enter into its complete insertion position.When push rod inserted, grasp must be fully crooked, grasp unexpectedly pulled out owing to act on the opposite force on the object to prevent.

Adopt other fasteners of same design to be illustrated in the U. S. Patent 6,533,515,6,074 of authorizing Meyer, No. 144 and 5,775, in No. 860, and authorize in the U. S. Patent 6,045,309 of Levey.These fasteners all have the same shortcoming of fastener with the Beglinger invention: the V-arrangement of the closure of grasp is difficult to bending, needs very big power to insert fastener and make it enter into locked position.

Authorize the plastics fastener that the U. S. Patent of Koscik has represented that a kind of structure is different 4,085, No. 651.In this fastener, grasp is made of two parallel fulcrum levers that extend below top board.Being pressed into center-pole just forces these two poles outwardly-bent and fastener remained on the object.The shortcoming of this fastener is, parallel pole being difficult to is inserted in the aperture on the object, thereby for grasp being inserted in the hole of object, must with finger pole be pressed onto together by the operator usually.

In the occasion of high volume applications, for example on the Assembly line of automobile, pressing for the employed fastener that is used for the car body wallboard is connected to vehicle frame in large batch of installation is fast with easy-to-install.Because these fasteners are manual insertions, because the operator can be tired, so these fasteners should be not need very big power just can insert.They also should be only to need a spot of step just can finish installation.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, one of purpose of the present invention provide a kind of the very little power of usefulness just can simply installed fastener.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of firm and reliable fastener.

A further object of the present invention does not need the fastener of assembling in advance before providing a kind of the use.

Further purpose of the present invention provides and a kind ofly is easy to make and fastener with low cost.

These purposes of the present invention and other purpose are achieved in that a kind of fastener, comprise an anchor an ancient unit of weight and a center-pole.Grasp comprises the top board that links to each other with center-pole, and center-pole vertically extends downwards from top board.Two anchor arms are arranged on the free end of center-pole, and they form an arrow-shaped towards upwards and away from free-ended direction extending.Each anchor arm has a supine free end.Anchor arm is flexible, and when anchor an ancient unit of weight passed hole on the object to be tightened, anchor arm is fold (flex) inwardly.

Be an outward extending flange on the free end of each anchor arm, this flange extends through the hole on the car body wallboard to be tightened, and abuts on the end face of upper strata wallboard, so that provide added strength and supporting by fastening structure.

Be connected in top board upper surface be a push-rod assembly.Push-rod assembly is by some less join domains and integrally molded with the upper surface of top board.Like this, only just can be molded into whole fastener by once molded.Depress push rod and just make the connection area rupture, therefore from single moulded parts, produce anchor an ancient unit of weight of two-piece type.Push-rod assembly comprises push button and is connected in the push rod of push button below.Push rod is made of a vertical column, and a grooving that is used for holding the grasp center-pole is wherein arranged.Promote push button downwards and just make that push rod slides along center-pole, be posted by the internal surface of anchor arm up to the end of push rod, this makes anchor arm outwards promote, and fastener is hooked on the object to be tightened.

Preferably have a guiding flange to be positioned on the internal surface of anchor arm, it is used for guiding push rod, and during to lower slider, is used for making push rod to keep aiming at mutually with center-pole towards the bottom of grasp when push rod.This guiding flange is stretched along an epitaxial lateral overgrowth of grasp, and a said side is meant a side at that the surperficial place opposite with its grooving of push rod, comes thus to prevent that the lateral movement of throw-out lever exceeds predetermined scope.The following end-grain cutting of push rod is fluted, and when the bottom of push rod contacted with guiding flange, flange snapped in the groove and anti-throw-out lever moves upward.Push rod and grasp assembly above the position also have another to additional groove and flange combination, they also can snap-lock, so that when fastener is in its state that locks fully, provides further assurance for anti-throw-out lever moves upward.

Before in being inserted into object to be tightened, preferably fastener is arranged to preload condition.After fastener was just molded good, push rod and grasp were integrally molded, and the aperture that passes in the top board extends upward.The hole is U-shaped preferably, holding the push rod member with grooving.Press push button slightly downwards, make the joint that links to each other with anchor an ancient unit of weight rupture, and make push rod pass the position that the hole slides into the part insertion.In this preload condition, can at an easy rate fastener be inserted in the object to be tightened, only need then on push rod, to apply and very little be pressed into action and just can make fastener enter complete lock state.Before realizing locking fully, push rod can freely move up and down in anchor an ancient unit of weight.Some grooves are preferably arranged on push rod, and after push rod was inserted in the top board fully, these grooves can lock with the projection that is positioned at the top board below, and reverse slide is deviate from from the hole in case throw-out lever makes progress again after being inserted in the grasp fully.

The V-arrangement of the opening of anchor arm makes anchor arm have elasticity more, in the therefore easier hole that push rod is inserted into object to be tightened, does not need to apply very big power.Equally, push rod is pressed in the anchor pole,, does not also need very big power so that anchor pole stretches out, and is locked in object to be tightened with fastener.

Because fastener has been integrally molded with push rod and grasp, when therefore using without any need for assembling.Traditional two-piece type grasp assembly need assemble push rod and grasp before using, and this needs the extra time and makes the operator produce fatigue easily.In the present invention, what unique needs were done when using grasp is to depress push rod fully, so that joint ruptures and makes fastener preload.This work can be carried out when making end, also can carry out on Assembly line.

Description of drawings

By the detailed description below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, other purpose of the present invention and feature will become clearer.Yet should be appreciated that accompanying drawing just is used to illustrate, is not to be limitation of the present invention.

In all accompanying drawings, similar element has adopted similar reference mark.

The front elevation of the fastener that Fig. 1 has represented one embodiment of the invention when initial molded state;

Fig. 2 is the sectional view along II-II line among Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the stereogram of fastener when preload condition of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is the front elevation of the fastener of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is the front elevation of the fastener of Fig. 1 when being inserted in two planar objects to be tightened partly;

Fig. 6 is that the fastener of Fig. 1 is installed to the front elevation before locking in two planar objects;

Fig. 7 is the front elevation of fastener when complete lock state of Fig. 1;

The fastener that Fig. 8 has represented another embodiment is at molded state when good just;

Fig. 9 is the front elevation of the fastener of Fig. 8;

Figure 10 is the front elevation of fastener when preload condition of Fig. 8;

Figure 11 is mounted in the front elevation of fastener before locking of two Fig. 8 on the tabular object;

Figure 12 is the front elevation of the fastener of Figure 11 when being in preload condition on object;

Figure 13 is the front elevation of the fastener of Figure 11 and Figure 12 when being in complete lock state;

Figure 14 is the keeping arm of the grasp part in the fastener of Fig. 8 and the front elevation of top board; And

Figure 15 is the bottom view of the push rod in the fastener of Fig. 8.

Embodiment

Referring to the detailed content of Fig. 1-7, Fig. 1-7 has represented the whole process of fastener 10 of the present invention from its initial molded state (Fig. 1) to its complete locking state (Fig. 7).Fig. 1 has represented fastener 10 initial molded state of the present invention.This fastener 10 comprises a grasp assembly 20 and a push-rod assembly 30.Grasp 20 has the top board 21 that is connected in center-pole 23, and center-pole 23 is perpendicular to the bottom surface of top board 21 basically and extends.There are two flexible anchor arms 24 to be connected in the free end of center-pole 23.Each anchor arm is along up and the direction of Off center bar 23 and extending, and the free end of each anchor arm 24 is flanges 29.

Push-rod assembly 30 comprises a push button 31 and a bottom surface and a downward push rod 32 that extends that is connected in push button 31.Push rod 32 is suitable for being installed in the hole 22 of top board 21, so when promoting push button 31, along with push button 31 is depressed, make push rod 32 extend through hole 22, forces two anchor arm 24 bendings away from center-pole 23 and be separated from each other and (see Fig. 3-Fig. 7).

As shown in the details of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, there is a grooving 33 in bar portion 32.The shape of grooving 33 is consistent with the shape of the center-pole 23 of grasp 20, because center-pole 23 is installed in (referring to Fig. 2) in the grooving 33 at least partly, so when pushing push button 31, just make push rod 32 slide along center-pole 23.Like this, center-pole 23 also is used as the guiding element of push rod 32 except supporting anchor arm 24.

Fastener 10 shown in Figure 1 is in its initial molded state.By some tie points 36 that top board 21 is connected together with the bottom of push rod 32, push-rod assembly 30 is integrally molded with grasp 20.As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the downward pressure that acts on the push button 31 makes these tie points 36 rupture, and push rod 32 penetrates in the hole 22 of top board 21, thereby enters into preload condition.This step can be carried out in manufacturing field or fabricating yard before the installation of fastener 10 at an easy rate.

Fig. 4-Fig. 6 has represented the installation process of fastener 10 on two planar objects 50,60.In general,

planar object

50,60 can be respectively the wallboard and the metal base plate of car body, but any flat basically object can carry out fastening with this fastener 10.At first, make fastener 10 pass hole on the

object

50,60, make flange 29 on the anchor arm 24 extend to the outside in hole, between fastener 10 and

wallboard

50,60, to form firm connection.Along with pressing down of push button 31, push rod 32 forces anchor arm outside by the extension round center-pole 23, and anchor arm 24 this stretches out just grasp 20 to be firmly held in the

object

50,60 and (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

Also has locking framework so that fastener 10 is locked in locked position on the object 50,60.Locking framework comprises the

flange

34,35 on the push rod 32.Maintenance groove on the anchor arm 24 blocks flange 35, moves upward with anti-throw-out lever 32 after push button 31 is depressed fully.Also have another group flange 34 on the push rod 32, also have a pair of grab 48 to extend in the below, bottom surface of top board 21 in addition.After push button 31 is fully depressed, make grab 48 be meshed, thereby further prevented the motion that push-rod assembly 30 makes progress with flange 35.

Fastener of the present invention does not need assembling, is easy to install, and can not make the operator produce fatigue, and two or more planar objects can be fastened to together reliably.

Fig. 8 to Figure 15 has represented an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and below at length referring to these accompanying drawings, Fig. 8 to Figure 13 has represented the process of fastener 110 of the present invention from its initial molded state (Fig. 8) to complete lock state (Figure 13).Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 have represented that fastener 110 of the present invention is in its initial molded state.Fastener 110 comprises a grasp assembly 120 and a push rod 300.Anchor an ancient unit of weight 120 has a top board 121 that is connected in center-pole 123, and center-pole 123 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of top board 121 and extends.Also have two flexible anchor arms 124 to be connected in the free end of center-pole 123, each anchor arm 124 extends towards the top and away from the direction of center-pole 123, and each anchor arm 124 has a free end 125 that no longer links to each other with other object.Anchor arm 124 has the top 128 of a taper, and along with the extension of anchor arm 124 from its free end 125 towards center-pole 123 ends, this conical top 128 is widened gradually, forms an inclined wall that is facing center-pole 123.

Push-rod assembly 130 comprises a push button 131 and a push rod 132, and push rod 132 is connected in the bottom surface of push button 131, and extends downwards from the bottom surface of push button 131.Push rod 132 can pass the hole 122 on the top board 121, so when promoting push button 131, along with push button 131 is depressed, make push rod 132 extend through hole 122, and slide along the inclined wall of anchor arm 124, force two anchor arm 124 bendings away from center-pole 123 and be separated from each other and (see Figure 11-Figure 13).

As shown in the details of Fig. 8 and Figure 15, a grooving 133 is arranged in the bar portion 132.The shape of grooving 133 is consistent with the shape of the center-pole 123 of grasp 120, because center-pole 123 is installed in (referring to Figure 15) in the grooving 133 at least partly, so when pushing push button 131, just make push rod 132 slide along center-pole 123.Like this, center-pole 123 also is used as the guiding element of push rod 132 except supporting anchor arm 124.Grooving 133 is not shown among Fig. 9～Figure 13, and this is because they face paper with the back in these accompanying drawings.

There are two keeping arms 140 to extend downwards from the bottom surface of top board 121.As Figure 12, shown in 13, when push button 131 was fully depressed, keeping arm 140 contacted with the free end 125 of anchor arm 124, exceeded the preestablished limit scope to stop anchor arm 124 to stretch out.

As shown in Figs. 8 to 11, a locking mechanism is arranged, it comprises the grab 142 on the free end that is positioned at keeping arm 140, and be arranged in corresponding grab 143 (being illustrated in Fig. 8) on the free end 125 of anchor arm 124, when push button 131 is fully depressed, grab 142,143 is meshing with each other, and breaks away from keeping arm 140 to prevent anchor arm 124.Also have a flange 141 to be arranged in edge's (seeing Figure 14 detailed icon) of keeping arm 140, when anchor arm 124 was in the position of extending fully owing to push button, flange 141 had stoped any possible lateral movement of anchor arm 124.

As shown in Figure 8, the guiding flange 126 of a horizontal expansion is arranged on the internal surface of anchor arm 124, when push rod 132 when anchor arm 124 extends downwards, guiding flange 126 be push rod 132 guiding, and the direction maintenance of push rod 132 is paralleled with center-pole 123.One end of guiding flange 126 preferably stretches out, is around state towards center-pole 123, and when being depressed with convenient push button 131, the lateral rotation of anti-throw-out lever 132, and prevent that center-pole 123 breaks away from groove 133.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 have represented that fastener 130 is in its initial molded state.By some tie points 136 that top board 121 is connected together with the bottom of push rod 132, push-rod assembly 130 is integrally molded with grasp assembly 120.As shown in figure 11, the downward pressure that acts on the push button 131 makes these tie points 136 rupture, and push rod 132 penetrates in the hole 122 of top board 121.This step can be carried out in manufacturing field or fabricating yard before the installation of fastener 110 at an easy rate.

Figure 11-Figure 13 has represented the installation process of fastener 110 on two planar objects 150,160.In general, planar object 150,160 can be respectively the wallboard and the metal base plate of car body, but any flat basically object can carry out fastening with this fastener 110.Along with depressing of push button 131, force anchor arm outwards to open, anchor arm 24 this outwards opens just grasp 120 to be firmly held in the object 150,160 (sees Figure 12 and Figure 13).

Also has locking framework so that fastener 110 is locked in locked position on the object 150,160.Locking framework comprises the groove 135 on the push rod 132.Groove 135 has been blocked in the bottom of the guiding flange 126 on the anchor arm 124, moves upward with anti-throw-out lever 132 after push button 131 is depressed fully.Also have another group groove 134 on the push rod 132, also have pair of flanges 148 to extend in the below, bottom surface of top board 121 in addition.After push button 131 is fully depressed, make flange 148 snap onto in the groove 135, thereby further prevented the motion that push-rod assembly 130 makes progress.

It should be noted that, between grab on the anchor arm 124 143 and flange 148, enough down suctions must be arranged, thereby two anchor arms 124 are being pressed to together mutually, when making them pass hole on the wallboard, width between the anchor arm 124 can reduce, and allows anchor arm 124 vertical extent degree to increase.The location of flange 148 should be when fastener 110 is inserted in the object to be tightened, and flange 148 can not interfered the above-mentioned motion of anchor arm 124.In addition, grab 143 should be such form, and promptly it can stop anchor arm 124 further horizontal-extendings, and it can not stop the further inside pressurized that anchor arm 124 is waited when needed again simultaneously.For example, during position before fastener 110 is in locking shown in Figure 12, grab 143,124 is meshing with each other, if but before final locking, discharge push button 131, just still anchor arm 124 inwardly can compress, and disengaging grab 143.

This shows, though just describe and showed several embodiments of the present invention, obviously can make many changes and improvements within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. fastener, it comprises:

One grasp assembly, it comprises:

(a) top board with end face and bottom surface;

(b) one be connected in top board and be substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of top board and the center-pole that extends; Described center-pole has a free end;

(c) at least one is connected in the free-ended anchor arm of center-pole, and described anchor arm is towards upwards and away from the direction of center-pole extending, and anchor arm also has a free end; And

One push-rod assembly, it comprises:

One has the push button of end face and bottom surface;

One push rod that is connected in push button and extends downwards from the bottom surface of push button, described push rod is suitable for penetrating in the hole on the top board, so when promoting push button, just make pusher section extend through described hole, and make that described at least one anchor arm is further outside in the mode that is parallel to center-pole; And

One is used for push-rod lock is fixed on the locking framework of pressed status.

2. fastener as claimed in claim 1 also comprises being connected in the free-ended outward extending flange of anchor arm.

3. fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein has grooving in the push rod, and the shape of grooving is identical with the shape of grasp center-pole; Under center-pole is installed in situation in the grooving at least in part, presses down push button and just make push rod slide along center-pole.

4. fastener as claimed in claim 3, the shape in wherein said hole is identical with the shape of push rod cross section.

5. fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein push-rod assembly becomes one top board and the push rod interconnective tie point in bottom by some with grasp is molded, and wherein act on downward pressure on the push button and make these tie points fractures, and make push rod pass the hole on the top board and extend.

6. fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein has two anchor arms.

7. fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein locking framework comprises that at least one is positioned at the groove on the push rod, and comprising the maintenance flange that is positioned at least one anchor arm, described maintenance flange snaps onto in the described groove, so that depress moving upward of rear defence throw-out lever fully at push button.

8. fastener as claimed in claim 7, wherein locking framework comprises that also at least one is positioned at the projection on the push rod, and at least one is positioned at the grab of below, top board bottom surface; Wherein fully depress push button and just make at least one grab and described at least one projection of below, bottom surface be meshing with each other, and prevent moving upward of push-rod assembly.

9. fastener as claimed in claim 1 also comprises at least one keeping arm that extends from the bottom surface of top board downwards; When push button was fully depressed, described at least one keeping arm contacted with the free end of said at least one anchor arm, and prevented that described at least one anchor arm from stretching out and exceed preestablished limit.

10. fastener as claimed in claim 1 comprises also on the free end that lays respectively at least one anchor arm and is positioned at locking mechanism at least one keeping arm that when push button was fully depressed, described locking mechanism meshed, and broke away from keeping arm to prevent anchor arm.

11. fastener as claimed in claim 10, wherein locking mechanism is the grab and the opposite grab of direction that is positioned on the anchor arm that is positioned on the keeping arm; When push button is fully depressed, described these two grab interlockings.

12. fastener as claimed in claim 9 also comprises a flange of the edge that is positioned at described at least one keeping arm; When push button was fully depressed, described flange prevented that described at least one anchor arm from any lateral movement taking place.

13. fastener as claimed in claim 9 also is included in the guiding flange of horizontal expansion on the internal surface of described at least one anchor arm; When push rod when described at least one anchor arm extends downwards, described guiding flange is to the push rod channeling conduct, and keeps the direction of push rod to be parallel to center-pole.

14. fastener as claimed in claim 13, wherein an end of guiding flange stretches out towards center-pole; When being depressed, prevent that center-pole from deviating from from grooving with convenient push button.

15. fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one anchor arm has the free end of taper, when anchor arm when center-pole extends, this free end is widened, and produces an inclined wall that faces center-pole; And wherein when push button was depressed, push rod slided along inclined wall, forced described at least one anchor arm bending away from center-pole.

16. fastener as claimed in claim 7, wherein locking framework comprises that also at least one is positioned at the groove on the push rod, and at least one flange that extends below the top board bottom surface; Wherein fully depress push button and just make at least one flange that below the bottom surface, extends snap onto in described at least one groove, and prevent moving upward of push-rod assembly.