GB2147940A - Fastening devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary fastening device eg, for securing a hinged vehicle engine cover panel in a closed position relative to a fixed part of the vehicle, is in two parts (17, 18) arranged to be carried by the engine cover (11). One (18) of the parts has a fastening formation (29) and a hole (21) for receipt of a portion (19) of the other part (17). The other part (17) has a spigot (19) for passage through the hole (21) and through a hole (20) in the engine cover (11). The spigot has a pair of locating shoulders (25) which snap behind a locating surface (27) to hold the two parts together on the engine cover (11). Part (17) includes a rib (22) which enables the device to be rotated to bring the fastening formation (29) into cooperation with a formation (15a) on the fixed part of the vehicle to fasten the engine cover in its closed position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fastening devices This invention relates to rotary fastening devices, and particularly, though not exclusively, to such devices for use in vehicles for fastening hinged engine cover panels in their closed positions.

Many forms of such rotary fastening devices are known but none thusfar has been cheap, practical and easy to install.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of rotary fastening device.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a rotary fastening device for fastening together two components, the device being in two parts arranged to be carried by one of the components, said parts having the following features: a spigot on one part for passage through a hole in said one component and a hole in said other part; a locating formation on the spigot for cooperation with the other part to hold the two parts together on said one component with the spigot extending through said two holes; a fastening formation on one part for fastening co-operation with a fastening formation on the other component, and a rotary formation on one part enabling the device to be rotated to bring said fastening formations into co-operation to fasten said two components together.

In a prefered construction the locating formation on the spigot engages the other part with a snap-action. This enables the fastening device to be quickly fitted in its operational position simply by pushing the spigot through the two holes until the snap-action locating formation is engaged.

Conveniently this snap-action can be achieved by making the spigot from resilient material with a longitudinal slot which splits the spigot into two prongs, the free ends of the prongs having locating shoulders with external tapering lead-in surfaces designed to force the prongs towards each other thus tending to close the slot as the spigot is pushed through the hole in the other part, the prongs snapping apart to engage the shoulders with a locating surface on the other part after the shoulders have been pushed through the hole in the other part.

Preferably the spigot and rotating formation are provided on the same part and the fastening formation is on the other part.

Conveniently the fastening formation is shaped to have a cam or wedge action with a limited capability to draw the two components towards each other as the device is rotated.

This enables the device to readily cater for manufacturing tolerances in the positioning of the components and to eliminate rattle.

Conveniently both parts of the fastening device are separate one piece plastics mouldings.

The invention also provides a vehicle with a movable panel arranged to be held in a closed position by one or more fastening devices as described above. The invention is particularly applicable to hinged engine cover panels in such vehicles as tractors.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a tractor with a hinged engine cover panel arranged to be held in its closed position by fastening devices embodying the present invention; Figure 2 shows one of the fastening devices of Fig. 1 on a larger scale and partly in section; Figures 3 to 5 show side, end and plan views respectively of a handle part of the fastening device of Fig. 2; Figure 6 is a section on line X-X of Fig. 3; Figures 7 and 8 are side and end views of a retaining and cam part of the fastening device of Fig. 2; Figure 9 is a section on line Y-Y of Fig. 7;; Figure 10 shows a view, on a larger scale, in the direction of Arrow A of Fig. 1 with the fastening device shown in the fastened (full line) and unfastened (dotted) positions, and Figure 11 is a section on line Z-Z of Fig.

10.

Referring to Fig. 1, the tractor engine 10 is provided with two engine cover panels 11 which are hinged at 1 2 to a fixed central portion 1 3 of the sheet metal covering the engine. Each cover panel 11 is secured in its closed position by two fastening devices 14 in accordance with the present invention. These fastening devices engage fixed fastening formations on the tractor in the form of wire loops 1 5 which are secured to channel section members 1 6 which extend longitudinal down each side of the engine.

The constructional details of the fastening devices are shown in detail in Figs. 2 to 9 and the wire loop fastening formation is shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11.

Each fastening device is of a two part construction, that is a handle part 1 7 and a retaining and cam part 1 8. The handle part 1 7 in addition to a rotating formation in the form of a rib 22 also has thumb and first finger receiving recesses 22' and a spigot 19 which is arranged to pass through a circular hole 20 in the cover panel 11 and a square cross-section hole 21 in the fastening part 18.

The portion 23 of the spigot which is located in hole 20 is of circular cross-section whilst the portion 24 which passes through the hole 21 in fastening part 18 is of square crosssection and is of a resilient two pronged form.

The ends of the prongs are provided with locating shoulders 25 which have tapering lead-in surfaces 26 designed to force the two prongs of the spigot 1 9 towards each other as the spigot is introduced into the end of hole 21 in the direction of arrow B of Fig. 2 during installation of the fastening device on the cover panel 11. The shoulders 25 are arranged to snap behind the locating surface 27 on the fastening part 1 8 when they emerge from the hole 21 thus locking the two part of the fastening device together for rotation on the panel 11.

The fastening part 1 8 has a circular rib 28 which bears against the inside of panel 11 and a fastening formation in the form of a cam or wedge member 29 which when the fastening device is in the fastening position of Figs. 2 and 10, contacts the horizontal portion 15a and pulls the cover 11 downwardly and inwardly to eliminte rattle. It will be appreciated that rotation of the fastening device through 90 degrees from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 10 to the dotted line position 29' in Fig. 10 by gripping rib 22 will disengage cam member 29 from the wire portion 1 5a to enable the fastening part 1 8 to be withdrawn through the wire loop 1 5 so that the cover panel 11 can be swung upwardly to the open position shown in Fig. 1.

As can be seen from Figs. 10 and 11, each wire loop 1 5 is clamped to its respective member 16 by a clamping strip 30, using a nut and bolt 31, 32 which passes through holes 33 and 34 in the strip 30 and member 16. The clamping strip 30 also has small locating tongues 35 which pass through holes 36 in the member 16.

As will be appreciated the invention thus provides a simple and cheap fastening device which is particularly suitable for securing sheet metal body panels in position and which is extremely quick to install.

Claims (8)

1. A rotary fastening device for fastening together two components, the device being in two parts arranged to be carried by one of the components, said parts having the following features: a spigot on one part for passage through a hole in said one component and a hole in said other part; a locating formation on the spigot for cooperation with the other part to hold the two parts together on said one component with the spigot extending through said two holes; a fastening formation on one part for fastening co-operation with a fastening formation on the other component and a rotary formation on one part enabling the device to be rotated to bring said fastening formations into co-operation to fasten said two components together.

2. A fastening device according to claim 1 in which the locating formation on the spigot engages the other part with a snap-action.

3. A fastening device according to claim 2 in which the spigot is made from resilient material with a longitudinal slot which splits the spigot into two prongs, the free ends of the prongs having locating shoulders with external tapering lead-in surfaces designed to force the prongs towards each other thus tending to close the slot as the spigot is pushed through the hole in the other part, the prongs snapping apart to engage the shoulders with a locating surface on the other part after the shoulders have been pushed through the hole in the other part to provide said snapaction.

4. A fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the spigot and rotating formation are provided on the same part and the fastening formation is on the other part.

5. A fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the fastening formation is shaped to have a cam or wedge action with a limited capability to draw the two components towards each other as the device is rotated.

6. A fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which both parts of the device are separate one piece plastics mouldings.

7. A vehicle with a movable panel arranged to be held in a closed position by one or more fastening devices according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A fastening device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to an as shown in Figs. 2 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.