GB2307508A - One-piece fastener - Google Patents
One-piece fastener Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2307508A GB2307508A GB9524177A GB9524177A GB2307508A GB 2307508 A GB2307508 A GB 2307508A GB 9524177 A GB9524177 A GB 9524177A GB 9524177 A GB9524177 A GB 9524177A GB 2307508 A GB2307508 A GB 2307508A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- fastener
- stud
- sheet element
- spacer
- spacer portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 229910000639 Spring steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000975 Carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010962 carbon steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B37/00—Nuts or like thread-engaging members
- F16B37/08—Quickly-detachable or mountable nuts, e.g. consisting of two or more parts; Nuts movable along the bolt after tilting the nut
- F16B37/0807—Nuts engaged from the end of the bolt, e.g. axially slidable nuts
- F16B37/0842—Nuts engaged from the end of the bolt, e.g. axially slidable nuts fastened to the threaded bolt with snap-on-action, e.g. push-on nuts for stud bolts
Abstract
A one-piece fastener 10 cooperable with a threaded stud member 22 projecting from a surface 24 for fastening a sheet element 28 in spaced relationship with the surface 24, comprises a spacer portion 12, a head portion 14 and a neck portion 16 between said spacer and head portions. A through passage extends through these portions 12, 14, 16 to enable the fastener to fit over the stud and the fastener has flexible projections 32 engageable with the stud thread for retaining the fastener on the stud. The spacer portion 12 is radially inwardly deformable with respect to the axis of the through passage to enable the fastener to be mounted to the sheet element 28 by insertion of the spacer portion 12 through an aperture 30 in the sheet element such that the neck portion 16 accommodates the edge portion of the sheet element defining the aperture 30 and the spacer portion 12 and the head portion 14 are disposed on opposite sides of sheet element 28.
Description
Fastener for fastening a sheet element
in spaced relationshi with a surface
This invention relates generally to fastening a sheet element in spaced relationship with a surface, and more particularly to such fastening utilizing studs projecting from the surface.
The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to automobile construction.
In this regard it is known to fit shields which comprise sheet elements to the body structure of an automobile to shield against noise and/or heat.
Typically these shields, which may have various thicknesses and are made from metal or composite materials, are fastened to the body structure via threaded studs pre-welded thereto which pass through respective apertures provided in the shield. In order to prevent or reduce the transmission of noise and/or heat to the body structure, a gap - which is typically about 5 mm - is provided between the shield and the body structure. Presently this gap is achieved by positioning spacers over the studs prior to fitting the shield. These spacers have to be held in place on the studs prior to the fitting of the shield and this has been achieved by grease or tape. Once the shield is fitted over the studs so as to be spaced apart from the body it is retained in place by nuts threaded onto the studs.
An object of the invention is to enable a sheet element to be fastened in spaced relationship with a surface from which studs project in a more convenient way.
The invention provides a one-piece fastener cooperable with a stud member projecting from a surface for fastening a sheet element in spaced relationship with the surface, comprising a spacer portion, a head portion and a neck portion between said spacer and head portions, wherein a through passage extends through said portions to enable the fastener to fit over the stud, the fastener having means engageable with the stud for retaining the fastener thereon, and the spacer portion being radially inwardly deformable with respect to the axis of said through passage to enable the fastener to be mounted to the sheet element by insertion of the spacer portion through an aperture in the sheet element such that the neck portion accommodates edge portion means of the sheet element defining the aperture and the spacer portion and the head portion are disposed on opposite sides of sheet element.
The invention also includes an assembly comprising a plurality of fasteners as defined in the last preceding paragraph mounted to a sheet element, the neck portion of each fastener accommodating with radial clearance edge portion means of a respective aperture in the sheet element and the spacer portion and head portion of each fastener being disposed on opposite sides of the sheet element.
The invention also includes an assembly as defined in the last preceding paragraph in which each fastener is fastened to a respective stud projecting from the surface with its spacer portion disposed between the sheet element and the surface.
Preferably, the means of the fastener engageable with the stud is provided on the head portion.
The means engageable with the stud may comprise means for engaging a thread on the stud, and preferably, the head portion of the fastener is provided with means engageable by a tool for allowing the fastener to be unthreaded from the stud.
The means for engaging a thread on the stud may comprise radially inwardly extending flexible projections for engaging the thread when the fastener is pushed axially onto the stud.
In a preferred embodiment of the fastener described hereinafter, the head portion includes an annular member from which a plurality of circumferentially spaced members extend to define (i) part of said head portion, (ii) said neck portion and (iii) said spacer portion.
In this embodiment, the flexible projections for engaging the thread on the stud when the fastener is pushed axially onto the stud extend radially inwardly from said annular member and axially away from said spacer portion.
The described embodiment is formed of a spring steel.
In order that the invention may be well understood, the above-mentioned embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively top, bottom and side views of a one-piece fastener;
Figure 4 is a sectional view along line A-A of
Figure 1; and
Figure 5 schematically illustrates use of the fastener.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in
Figures 1 to 4 a one-piece fastener 10 which comprises a spacer portion 12, a head portion 14 and a neck portion 16 between the spacer and head portions. A through passage 18 having an axis 20 extends through the spacer, neck and head portions to enable the fastener to fit over a stud 22 projecting from a surface 24 of a body part 26 as shown in Figure 5 for fastening a sheet element 28 in spaced relationship with the surface 24.
Before being fastened to the stud 22, the fastener 10 is pre-assembled to the sheet element 28.
To this end the spacer portion 12 is radially inwardly deformable with respect to the axis 20 to enable the fastener to be mounted to the sheet element 28 by insertion of the spacer portion in a deformed state through an aperture 30 in the sheet element such that the neck portion 16 of the fastener 10 accommodates the edge portion of the sheet element which defines the aperture 30 and the spacer portion 12 and the head portion 14 are disposed on opposite sides of the sheet element 28. The neck portion 16 accommodates the edge portion of the aperture with a radial clearance to allow for tolerance in the position of the aperture 30 with respect to the stud 22. This is of significant importance when the sheet element 28 is to be fixed via a plurality of spaced studs 22.
The fastener includes means engageable with the stud for retaining the fastener on the stud. In the embodiment, this engageable means is provided on the head portion 14 of the fastener and since the stud 22 is provided with a thread this means comprises means for engaging that thread. As illustrated, the means for engaging the thread on the stud in the embodiment comprises radially inwardly extending flexible projections 32 which engage the thread when the fastener is pushed axially onto the stud. The fastener can be unthreaded from the stud and in this regard the head portion is provided with means, shown as two diametrically opposed holes 34 engageable by a tool to allow the fastener to be unthreaded from the stud.
The fastener is formed of a spring steel, in particular a carbon steel which has been heat treated, and as can be appreciated from the drawings is pressed and formed from a sheet of spring steel material.
The head portion 14 includes an annular member 36 from which a plurality of circumferentially spaced members 38 extend. These members are bent to define (i) part of the head portion 14, (ii) the neck portion 16 and (iii) the spacer portion 12. The free end parts of the members 38 which define the spacer portion are provided with channel sections for rigidity. The flanges 40 of these channels are tapered to facilitate insertion of the spacer portion through the aperture 30 and also to provide surfaces 42 for engaging the edge portion of the aperture 30.
The construction of the fastener in spring steel also allows for a tolerance in the thickness of the sheet element since each surface 42 and the part 44 of the member 38 opposed thereto which engage opposite sides of the sheet element are able to move axially relative to each other to cater for differences in sheet element thickness.
The above-mentioned flexible projections 32 extend radially inwardly from the annular member 36 and axially away from the spacer portion 12.
As will be appreciated from the above, a plurality of fasteners 10 may be used for fastening a sheet element in spaced relationship with a surface from which a plurality of threaded studs project.
Apertures are provided in the sheet element at locations which correspond to the locations of the studs and the fasteners are mounted to the sheet element by inserting the spacer portions through the apertures as described above so that the neck portion of each fastener accommodates with radial clearance the edge portion of a respective aperture with the spacer and head portions of each fastener being disposed on opposite sides of the sheet element. The assembly of the sheet element and fasteners may be put into stock for subsequent use or may be fastened in spaced relationship with the surface by aligning the fasteners with the studs and push fitting the fasteners into the studs until the free ends of the spacer portions engage the surface.
As will be appreciated from the above, use of fasteners 10 enable a sheet element to be fastened in spaced relationship with a surface from which studs project in a more convenient way than use of separate spacers and nuts.
Claims (11)
1. A one-piece fastener cooperable with a stud member projecting from a surface for fastening a sheet element in spaced relationship with the surface, comprising a spacer portion, a head portion and a neck portion between said spacer and head portions, wherein a through passage extends through said portions to enable the fastener to fit over the stud, the fastener having means engageable with the stud for retaining the fastener thereon, and the spacer portion being radially inwardly deformable with respect to the axis of said through passage to enable the fastener to be mounted to the sheet element by insertion of the spacer portion through an aperture in the sheet element such that the neck portion accommodates edge portion means of the sheet element defining the aperture and the spacer portion and the head portion are disposed on opposite sides of sheet element.
2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means engageable with the stud is provided on the head portion.
3. A fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means engageable with the stud comprises means for engaging a thread on the stud.
4. A fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein the head portion is provided with means engageable by a tool for allowing the fastener to be unthreaded fro: the stud.
5. A fastener as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said means for engaging a thread on the stud comprise radially inwardly extending flexible projections for engaging the thread when the fastener is pushed axially onto the stud.
6. A fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said head portion includes an annular member from which a plurality of circumferentially spaced members extend to define part of said head portion, said neck portion and said spacer portion.
7. A fastener as claimed in claim 6, when appended to claim 5, wherein said flexible projections extend radially inwardly from said annular member and axially away from said spacer portion.
8. A fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed of a spring steel.
9. An assembly comprising a plurality of fasteners as claimed in any one of the preceding claims mounted to a sheet element, the neck portion of each fastener accommodating with radial clearance edge portion means of a respective aperture in the sheet element and the spacer portion and head portion of each fastener being disposed on opposite sides of the sheet element.
10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9, fastened in spaced relationship to a surface, each fastener being fastened to a respective stud projecting from the surface with its spacer portion disposed between the sheet element and the surface.
11. A fastener substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9524177A GB2307508A (en) | 1995-11-27 | 1995-11-27 | One-piece fastener |
| FR9614376A FR2741677A1 (en) | 1995-11-27 | 1996-11-25 | FIXING DEVICE FOR FIXING A SHEET METAL TO A SURFACE, IN A POSITION REMOTE FROM THIS SURFACE |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9524177A GB2307508A (en) | 1995-11-27 | 1995-11-27 | One-piece fastener |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9524177D0 GB9524177D0 (en) | 1996-01-31 |
| GB2307508A true GB2307508A (en) | 1997-05-28 |
Family
ID=10784484
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9524177A Withdrawn GB2307508A (en) | 1995-11-27 | 1995-11-27 | One-piece fastener |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| FR (1) | FR2741677A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2307508A (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19726041A1 (en) * | 1997-06-19 | 1998-12-24 | Springfix Befestigungstechnik | Mounting bracket |
| DE19916809A1 (en) * | 1999-04-14 | 2000-11-02 | Hecralmat Schaan Fa | Fastening element for sheet metal parts |
| EP1101957A3 (en) * | 1999-11-18 | 2002-07-17 | AAW Produktions AG | Assembly washer for a vehicle component |
| EP1388677A3 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2007-05-09 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Attachment clip and attachment structure using same |
| DE102006011419A1 (en) * | 2006-03-11 | 2007-09-13 | Volkswagen Ag | Fastening device for thermal insulation plate, has retaining claws arranged at edge of spacer disk at same angular distance from each other such that they retain clamping disk with radial and axial play |
| WO2008006753A1 (en) * | 2006-07-13 | 2008-01-17 | Newfrey Llc | Attachment element |
| DE102010008737A1 (en) | 2009-08-20 | 2011-02-24 | Volkswagen Ag | Arrangement for fastening component, particularly thin-walled component on another component, has component which consists of fastening section which is formed through roll-pressing of another component, where roll-pressing has bore |
| EP2628961A1 (en) * | 2012-02-14 | 2013-08-21 | Newfrey LLC | Clip and fastening arrangement with a clip |
| DE102017113566A1 (en) * | 2017-06-20 | 2018-12-20 | Elringklinger Ag | Fastening device, in particular for flat, thin-walled panels and transmission element for this and panel having the fastening device |
| DE102012005572B4 (en) | 2012-03-20 | 2020-01-23 | Audi Ag | Clip for attaching a component |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2839123B1 (en) * | 2002-04-24 | 2008-04-18 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | DEVICE FOR MOUNTING A PANEL ON A SUPPORT, AND APLLICATION |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB891733A (en) * | 1959-05-11 | 1962-03-21 | Carr Fastener Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to fastening devices |
| GB907232A (en) * | 1959-01-07 | 1962-10-03 | Illinois Tool Works | Fastener units |
| GB1284847A (en) * | 1969-07-18 | 1972-08-09 | Raymond A | An improved clip for attaching a moulding to a support |
| US4861208A (en) * | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-29 | Chrysler Motors Corporation | Door trim panel fastening assembly |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2145462B (en) * | 1983-08-22 | 1987-10-21 | Tucker Fasteners Ltd | Securing layers of sheet material on studs and retaining collars therfor |
| DE9205186U1 (en) * | 1992-04-14 | 1992-06-17 | Emhart Inc., Newark, Del., Us |
-
1995
- 1995-11-27 GB GB9524177A patent/GB2307508A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1996
- 1996-11-25 FR FR9614376A patent/FR2741677A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB907232A (en) * | 1959-01-07 | 1962-10-03 | Illinois Tool Works | Fastener units |
| GB891733A (en) * | 1959-05-11 | 1962-03-21 | Carr Fastener Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to fastening devices |
| GB1284847A (en) * | 1969-07-18 | 1972-08-09 | Raymond A | An improved clip for attaching a moulding to a support |
| US4861208A (en) * | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-29 | Chrysler Motors Corporation | Door trim panel fastening assembly |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19726041A1 (en) * | 1997-06-19 | 1998-12-24 | Springfix Befestigungstechnik | Mounting bracket |
| DE19726041C2 (en) * | 1997-06-19 | 2002-02-14 | Springfix Befestigungstechnik | Crab |
| DE19916809A1 (en) * | 1999-04-14 | 2000-11-02 | Hecralmat Schaan Fa | Fastening element for sheet metal parts |
| EP1101957A3 (en) * | 1999-11-18 | 2002-07-17 | AAW Produktions AG | Assembly washer for a vehicle component |
| EP1388677A3 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2007-05-09 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Attachment clip and attachment structure using same |
| DE102006011419A1 (en) * | 2006-03-11 | 2007-09-13 | Volkswagen Ag | Fastening device for thermal insulation plate, has retaining claws arranged at edge of spacer disk at same angular distance from each other such that they retain clamping disk with radial and axial play |
| WO2008006753A1 (en) * | 2006-07-13 | 2008-01-17 | Newfrey Llc | Attachment element |
| US8046879B2 (en) | 2006-07-13 | 2011-11-01 | Newfrey Llc | Fastener |
| DE102010008737A1 (en) | 2009-08-20 | 2011-02-24 | Volkswagen Ag | Arrangement for fastening component, particularly thin-walled component on another component, has component which consists of fastening section which is formed through roll-pressing of another component, where roll-pressing has bore |
| EP2628961A1 (en) * | 2012-02-14 | 2013-08-21 | Newfrey LLC | Clip and fastening arrangement with a clip |
| DE102012005572B4 (en) | 2012-03-20 | 2020-01-23 | Audi Ag | Clip for attaching a component |
| DE102017113566A1 (en) * | 2017-06-20 | 2018-12-20 | Elringklinger Ag | Fastening device, in particular for flat, thin-walled panels and transmission element for this and panel having the fastening device |
| WO2018233922A1 (en) * | 2017-06-20 | 2018-12-27 | Elringklinger Ag | Fastening device, in particular for planar, thin-walled claddings, and transmission element therefor, and cladding having the fastening device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2741677A1 (en) | 1997-05-30 |
| GB9524177D0 (en) | 1996-01-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |