JP2010529372A - Multi Stud Fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastener for use in attaching a component to a pre-mounted male fastener that includes a weld stud.
The fastener includes a curved engagement member coupled to the fastener by oppositely oriented first and second torsion members. When the applied load of the male fastener elastically twists the torsion member, the engagement member rotates. Teeth disposed on the arc of the arcuate body engage the male fastener.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a fastener used to attach a component to a pre-mounted male fastener that includes a weld stud.
This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 60 / 941,378, filed Jun. 1, 2007.

  Components such as brake lines, electrical wiring banks, vacuum hoses, etc. are attached to the vehicle panel to prevent damage to these components during vehicle operation. It is desirable to hold these components in place by semi-permanent engagement so that the engagement is not lost due to vehicle vibration and driving conditions. A male fastener, such as a welding stud having a plurality of screws, is typically attached to a vehicle panel, such as by stud welding. These fasteners, commonly referred to as weld studs, are pre-positioned at a number of locations around the vehicle to allow the various components to be held. A number of different sized weld studs are available depending on the load applied to the vehicle panel by a particular component. The typical fasteners used to attach to these weld studs are not compatible with various diameter weld studs, thus requiring multiple sizes of fasteners.

  In accordance with the present invention, a multi-stud fastener includes at least one curved fastener engaging member that engages a male fastener such as a weld stud on a curved arc. Have teeth. Providing the teeth in an arc shape allows the curved fastener to rotate and allows multiple sizes of male fasteners to engage different teeth of the same curved fastener.

  In another aspect, a multi-stud fastener provides at least one torsion member coupled to the fastener engaging member. The torsion member is coupled to the fastener body. The torsion member provides an elastic biasing force when the fastener engaging member is rotated and biases the fastener engaging member against the male fastener.

  In another aspect, a multi-stud fastener includes a housing that defines an enclosed wall having an interior surface. At least one engagement member is homogeneously coupled to the inner surface by first and second torsion members disposed in opposite directions about the engagement member. The engaging member defines an arc shaped body. In yet another aspect, the at least one engagement member is rotatable relative to the housing by a load applied to the at least one engagement member operable to provide an elastic torsional motion of the torsion member. . An additional aspect provides a plurality of teeth that are homogeneously coupled to at least one engagement member, all of which are evenly spaced and of a common curvature oriented with respect to the arcuate body. Arranged on the arc.

  According to yet another aspect, the fastener includes a grommet that defines an enclosed wall having an interior surface. At least one engagement member is homogeneously coupled to the inner surface by first and second torsion members disposed in opposite directions about the engagement member.

  According to yet another aspect, the first and second engagement members are each uniformly coupled to the inner surface by first and second torsion members that extend homogeneously from both sides of the engagement member. Each of the first and second engagement members is subjected to a load applied to both the first and second engagement members operable to provide torsional motion of the first and second torsion members. An arcuate body that is rotatable relative to the housing is defined. Teeth are homogeneously coupled to each of the first and second engagement members. All teeth of the engagement member are all disposed on a common curvature arc oriented with respect to the arcuate bodies of the first and second engagement members. The teeth of the first engagement member face the teeth of the second engagement member, and these teeth are adapted to receive and engage a plurality of sizes of male fasteners.

  According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for attaching a component to a vehicle using a fastener.

  The multi-stud fasteners of the present disclosure provide several advantages. By using one or more “rotatable engagement members”, each mounted for rotation by a torsion member that is homogeneously and integrally molded to the fastener body, the rotatable engagement member is nominally The rotatable engagement member is allowed to rotate away from the initially placed or left as-moulded state. The rotatable engagement member rotates freely within the range of motion, allowing the multi-stud fastener to engage multiple sizes of male fasteners. The curved shape of each rotatable engagement member, when viewed in cross-section, places different teeth to engage multiple sizes of weld studs, and the curved shape of the rotatable engagement member is Restrain teeth against male fasteners to prevent escape. Multi-stud fasteners can be used in different applications, such as in pre-formed grommets having snap-type detents for engagement, such as snap-fit portions of multiple fastener assembly types.

  Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a multi-stud fastener of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multi-stud fastener of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a partial cross section taken in section 3 of FIG. 2. 6 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a multi-stud fastener of the present disclosure. FIG. FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of another embodiment of a multi-stud fastener of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the partial cross section taken in section 6 of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a multi-stud fastener. FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the assembled multi-stud fastener of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial elevational side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating an additional aspect of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial elevational side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating an additional aspect of the present invention.

  The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

  The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or use. Corresponding reference characters indicate similar or corresponding parts and features throughout the drawings.

  Referring generally to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the multi-stud fastener 10 of the present invention includes an engagement member housing 12 having opposing pairs of rotatable engagement members 14,16. The term multi-stud fastener of the present disclosure refers to the ability to accept and engage a number of different sized studs or individual ones of male fasteners. The fastener 10 in this example includes an engagement member housing 12 that is co-molded or homogeneously coupled to a support 18. The support 18 provides a curved surface 20 that receives a cylindrical component 22 (shown in phantom). The component 22 can be any of a plurality of items such as a bundle of wires, a brake line or a vacuum hose, or a group of tubular members such as a single pipe or tube. A flat surface 24 is created in the support 18 having a first surface portion 26 ′ and a second surface portion 26 ″ for each of the opposing sides 27, 28 of the engagement member housing 12. The surface portions 26 ′, 26 ″ include attachment devices 29, such as tape, flexible straps, etc., that surround or partially surround the component 22 to engage the component 22 with the curved surface 20 of the fastener 10. A support surface and contact surface for receiving 30 are provided. Opposing flanges 32, 34 can extend substantially perpendicularly from the ends of the surface portions 26 ′, 26 ″ to prevent the attachment devices 29, 30 from sliding in the axial direction.

  An exemplary use of the fastener 10 is in the automotive industry where the fastener 10 having an attached component 22 is coupled to a vehicle panel 36. The vehicle panel 36 has a male fastener 38, such as a weld stud, previously attached to the vehicle panel 36. The fastener 10 and component 22 are positioned such that the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 of the engagement member housing 12 are aligned to receive a male fastener 38 therebetween. The engagement member housing 12 is then pushed in the mounting direction “A” until the male fastener 38 is received between the rotatable engagement members 14, 16, thereby allowing the rotatable engagement member 14, Rotate 16 to increase the distance from each other to receive male fastener 38 and then engage with fastener engagement features 40 that can include threads of male fastener 38 by elastic biasing. The fastener 10 is locked in a state where it is in contact with the vehicle panel 36. The rotation of the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 allows multiple sizes of male fasteners 38 to be engaged by the same rotatable engagement members 14, 16.

  Referring now generally to FIG. 2, the fastener 10 has a total length “B” predetermined by the manufacturer, and the engagement member housing 12 is pre-determined by the size of the rotatable engagement members 14, 16. It has a defined length “C” and width “D”. Each of the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 is one or more torsion members that allow the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 to rotate from the as-molded state shown. ) And the engaging member housing 12 and the flat surface 24. In the example shown, the rotatable engagement member 14 is coupled to the flat surface 24 by a torsion member 42 and is coupled to the outer wall 44 of the engagement member housing 12 by a torsion member 46. Thus, the rotatable engagement member 14 can rotate about a rotational axis 48 centered through the torsion members 42 and 46. Similarly, the rotatable engagement member 16 is coupled to the flat surface 24 by a torsion member 50 and is coupled to the outer wall 44 by a torsion member 52. Accordingly, the rotatable engagement member 16 can rotate about a rotation axis 54 centered through the torsion members 50 and 52. Each torsion member 46 and 52 is homogeneously coupled to the inner surface 56 of the outer wall 44 by integral molding. The rotatable engagement members 14, 16 define a common longitudinal axis 58 that is spaced from the plane 24 by a dimension “E”.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the fastener 10 includes opposing first and second rotatable engagements disposed within the engagement member housing 12, each having a curvilinear or arcuate body 60, 62. The joint members 14 and 16 are included. A number of teeth 64, 66 are formed on each arcuate body 60, 62. Each of the teeth 64, 66 is spaced apart from the series of teeth with a predetermined spacing “F” selected to be equal to the thread or surface profile of the male fastener 38. 64, 66 receive and engage the surface features or individual threads 40 of male fastener 38 (shown in FIG. 1). Each tooth 64, 66 is oriented with respect to a curve or arc 68, 70 defined at either the root (not shown) or the top (not shown) of each tooth 64, 66; Placed on it. The radius of curvature of each of the arcs 68, 70 may be equal or may be different to change the holding force applied by the first and second rotatable engagement members 14,16. Each arc 68, 70 is defined by a portion of arcuate body 60, 62 and is equal to its radius of curvature. The teeth 64, 66 of the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are oriented to face each other when the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 rotate to receive the male fastener 38.

  The first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are shown in an “as-molded” position or a pre-deflected position. A spacing 72 having a dimension “G” may be provided between the free ends of the first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16. The dimension “G” is at the manufacturer's discretion and is substantially from zero to about 3 millimeters (including 3 millimeters) or more, depending on the minimum and maximum size of the male fastener 38 received. Can change greatly. Accordingly, the spacing 72 is predetermined to initiate rotation of both the first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 upon contact with the male fastener 38. In some aspects, the male fastener 38 can include M5 / T5, M6, and M8 size studs, although other size ranges can accommodate the male fastener 38 and are rotatable engagements. The size and spacing of the mating members 14, 16 and the engagement member housing 12 are adjusted accordingly. Accordingly, each of the engagement member housings 12 of the present disclosure can accommodate multiple sizes of male fasteners 38.

  Each of the first and second rotatable engaging members 14, 16 has a base 74, 76 that is aligned coaxially with the rotational axes 48, 54, respectively. Each of the first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 may be rotated from the as-molded position shown, for example, a number of rotations shown as a first rotation position 78 and a second rotation position 80. Can rotate to position. Since the first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are free to rotate, the rotational positions 78, 80 are from the as-moulded position from the intended maximum size or diameter of the male fastener 38. Can be changed infinitely up to the maximum rotational position (80) determined by. The first rotatable engagement member 14 can rotate about the rotation arc “H” and the second rotatable engagement member 16 can rotate about the rotation arc “J”. it can. The rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are initially placed in an undeflected or as-moulded position and flex to different rotational positions depending on the size of the male fastener 38 received between them. be able to.

  Each of the first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 may also include stop members 82, 84 integrally formed with and extending from the bases 74, 76, respectively. When the male fastener 38 is introduced in a direction “K” opposite to the intended mounting direction “L”, the stop members 82, 84 are rotated around arcs or rotations “M” and “N”. In contact with the inner walls 86 and 88 of the side portions 27 and 28, respectively, to prevent insertion of the male fastener 38. Since the attachment direction “K” does not engage the teeth 64, 66, the stop members 82, 84 thus prevent unintentional, unengaged attachment of the first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16. To do.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, when the male fastener 38 is received, force is applied to the rotatable engagement members 14, 16. The spacing between the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 initially defined as the dimension “G” increases with the diameter of the male fastener 38. The rotatable engagement members 14, 16 rotate away from each other until the teeth 64 and 66 align with the thread 40 of the male fastener 38. At least one of each of the teeth 64 and 66 is engaged with the thread 40 of the male fastener 38 by the elastic force generated by the torsional motion applied to the torsion members 42, 46, 50 and 52, in the “K” direction. Resists removal of male fasteners 38 to The removal force tends to push the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 towards each other, thus preventing removal of the male fastener 38 in the direction "K". The removal force is transmitted through the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 and is blocked by the torsion members 42, 46, 50 and 52 coupled to the substantially rigid plane 24 and outer wall 44. If the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are straight instead of being curvilinear, the resistance to removal of the male fastener 38 is determined solely by the shear strength of the teeth 64, 66. Because of the curved shape of the rotatable engagement members 14, 16, a portion of the removal force is directed through the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 as well as the teeth 64, 66.

  Referring now to FIG. 4 in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the engagement member defines an enclosed wall in which the fastener 90 is homogeneously coupled to a tie strap 92 having a number of teeth 94 of known design. A housing 12 is provided. The tie strap 92 is received by and engaged with one or more engagement ribs 96 of a strap receiving portion 98 that is integrally formed with the fastener 90. The fastener 90 can be used to enclose an item or group of items similar to the component 22 shown in FIG.

  Referring now to FIG. 5 in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the fastener 100 includes only a single rotatable engagement member 102. The rotatable engagement member 102 is homogeneously coupled to a body 104 having a semicircular end 106, a flat end 108, and opposing walls 110, 112. A male fastener receiving cavity 114 is defined by the semicircular end 106 and opposing walls 110, 112. The rotatable engagement member 102 is homogeneously coupled by first and second torsion members 116, 118 that define a longitudinal rotation axis 120 of the rotatable engagement member in cooperation. The rotatable engagement member 102 includes a plurality of evenly spaced teeth 122, which are formed between opposing curved surfaces 124, 128 so that the lengths can vary. A male fastener 126 received in the receiving cavity 114 contacts the curved inner wall 129 of the semicircular end 106 and engages the teeth 122 of the rotatable engagement member 102. Due to the ability of the rotatable engagement member 102 to rotate about the axis of rotation 120, a number of different sized male fasteners 126 can be received.

  As best seen in FIG. 6, each tooth 122 can include a concave bend 124, which is the smallest bend 124 'in tooth 122' to the largest bend 122 ". The curved size of the series of teeth 122 can change up to the curved portion 124 ″. Each tooth 122 is oriented outwardly from the first curved surface 126. The teeth 122 are only provided on the first curved surface 126, so that a male fastener (not shown) can only enter from the mounting direction "P". Upon receiving the male fastener, the rotatable engagement member 102 rotates to the rotational arc “Q”. A second curved surface 128 can be provided on the opposite side of the first curved surface 126, which has either teeth 122 or no teeth 122. When the teeth 122 are present not only on the first curved surface 126 but also on the second curved surface 128 (not clearly visible in the figure), the male fastener is attached in the mounting direction “P” or the anti-mounting direction “R”. You can receive both.

  Referring generally to FIGS. 7 and 8, the engagement member housing 12 of FIG. 1 has an independent, separately shaped, having a pair of rotatable engagement members 130, 132 within the grommet 134. Modified to provide a grommet 134. In one aspect, the grommet 134 is independently engageable with a plurality of fasteners including a fastener body 136 that has been modified from the fastener 10. Grommet 134 includes a rectangular housing 138 having a first flange 140 and a second flange 142 extending outwardly from opposite sides of housing 138. Flexible wings are rotatably and homogeneously coupled to opposing walls 144, 146 using torsional members. One or more snap-in detents 148 are formed uniformly with the housing 138 and extend outwardly from the wall 144. One or more similar snap detents (not clearly visible in this view) can also extend from the wall 146.

  The fastener 10 is modified to produce a fastener body 136 by eliminating the flat surface 24 and creating a grommet receiving member 150 extending from the fastener body 152. The receiving member 150 includes enclosure walls 154, 156, 158 that define a grommet receiving hole 160 sized to slidably receive the grommet 134. Grommet 134 is shown with arrow “S” with housing 138 sized to be slidably received in receiving bore 160 until flanges 140, 142 contact the lower surfaces of enclosure walls 154 and 156. Is inserted into the receiving hole 160 in the direction. A snap detent 148 is disposed on and engages the upper surface 162 of the receiving member 150 to form a fastener assembly 164. Opposing flanges 140, 142 and snap-type detent 148 releasably lock grommet 134 within receiving hole 160 to produce fastener assembly 164.

  Referring again to FIG. 5, the fastener 100 includes the tie strap 92 of FIG. 4 by uniformly coupling the tie strap 92 to the flat end 108 or one of the opposing walls 110, 112. The fastener 100 can be further modified (not shown). In another aspect (not shown), the fastener 100 is further modified to include the flanges 140, 142 and the snap-in detent of FIG. 7 so that the fastener 100 can be used with a fastener body similar to the fastener body 136. Can be adapted.

  The materials for the multi-stud fasteners of the present disclosure can have good “creep” properties to maintain a lock on plastic fasteners such as acetal, nylon, or male fasteners or weld studs once engaged. It can be a similar material having. Processes including injection molding can be used to produce the fasteners, fastener bodies, and grommets of the present disclosure. The male fastener 38 identified here is not limited to weld studs, nor is it limited to threaded fasteners. Male fasteners adapted for use with the fasteners of the present disclosure can have a single or multiple ridges / valleys adapted to engage the teeth of a rotatable engagement member. Teeth spacing can be predetermined to engage one or more ridges of the modified fastener.

  Referring to FIG. 9, in another aspect of the present invention, a first spring tab 166 and a second spring tab 168 extend homogeneously from each of the bases 74, 76, respectively. The spring tabs 166, 168 are arranged to face substantially opposite the stop members 82, 84. Both spring tabs 166, 168 are shown in the as-molded position (shown in solid lines), with the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 in the as-molded (non-deflected) position. 166 ', 168' are shown in a deflected or curved position (shown in phantom) that contacts the inner walls 86, 88 when the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 reach the rotational position 80. ). The spring tabs 166 and 168 are elastically bent to generate a return biasing force, and the torsional members 42 and 46 and the torsional members 50 and 52 are twisted at the maximum rotation position 80 of the rotatable engaging members 14 and 16. Helps the energizing force that occurs when added. In the maximum rotational position 80, the teeth 64, 66 are in a position generally parallel to the inner walls 86, 88, and the additional biasing force of the spring tabs 166, 168 causes the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 to move. Energizing helps to engage the male fastener (such as the male fastener shown in FIG. 1). When only a single rotatable engagement member is used, such as the rotatable engagement member 102 described with reference to FIG. 5, a single spring tab may be used.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in yet another aspect of the present invention, one or more of the previously described torsional members can be replaced with a single rotatable torsional member 170,172. A single rotatable torsion member 170, 172 couples to the rear surfaces 174, 176 of the bases 74, 76, respectively, and can be positioned approximately 90 degrees from the orientation of the stop members 82, 84 while still molded. it can. A single rotatable torsion member 170, 172 is provided for longitudinal torsional movement and / or so that an engagement member such as rotatable engagement member 14, 16 can rotate to receive the male fastener. Or it can work with a bending motion in the longitudinal direction. When only a single rotatable engagement member is used, such as the rotatable engagement member 102 described with reference to FIG. 5, a single torsion member can also be used.

  The multi-stud fasteners of the present disclosure provide several advantages. By using one or more “rotatable engagement members” each mounted for rotation by a torsion member that is homogeneously and integrally formed on the fastener body, the rotatable engagement members are: The rotatable engagement member is allowed to rotate away from the initial state in which it is nominally placed or as-molded. The rotatable engagement member rotates freely within the range of motion, allowing the multi-stud fastener to engage multiple sizes of male fasteners. The curved shape of each rotatable engagement member, when viewed in cross-section, positions different teeth to engage multiple sizes of weld studs, and the curved shape of the rotatable engagement member is Press the teeth against the male fastener and restrain it to prevent it from escaping. Multi-stud fasteners can be used for different applications, such as in pre-formed grommets having snap-type detents that engage as multi-fastener assembly type snap-fit portions.

    The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

10, 90, 100: Fastener 12, 138: Housing 14, 16, 102, 130, 132: Rotating engagement member 24: Plane 29, 30: Mounting devices 32, 34, 140, 142: Flange 36: Vehicle panel 38, 126: male fastener 40: thread 42, 46, 50, 52, 116, 118, 170, 172: torsion member 60, 62: arcuate body 64, 66, 94, 122, 122 ', 122 ": Tooth 72: Spacing 74, 76: Base 82, 84: Stop member 92: Tie strap 114: Male fastener receiving cavity 134: Grommet 136, 152: Fastener body 148: Snap type detent 150: Grommet receiving member 160: Grommet receiving hole 164: Fastener assembly 166, 166 ', 168, 168': Spring tab

Claims (24)

A housing having an inner surface;
A load applied to the at least one engagement member that is homogeneously coupled to the inner surface by at least one torsion member and operable to provide a torsional motion of the at least one torsion member; At least one engagement member defining a rotatable arcuate body;
Teeth that are homogeneously coupled to the at least one engagement member and disposed on an arc of common curvature oriented with respect to the arcuate body;
And wherein the different ones of the teeth are each of a plurality of differently sized male fasteners by rotation of the at least one engagement member when the individual one of the male fasteners is received in the fastener mounting direction. A fastener adapted to engage a fastener engaging feature.   And further comprising a common spacing between any series of said teeth that is predetermined to be equal to a thread spacing of a threaded stud engageable by said at least one engagement member. The fastener according to claim 1.   The fastener of claim 2, wherein the housing includes opposing walls that are homogeneously coupled by an outer wall.   4. The fastener of claim 3, wherein the at least one torsion member includes first and second torsion members disposed in opposite directions around the engagement member.   Each of the first and second torsion members is homogeneously coupled to one of the opposing walls, and the threaded stud is engageable between the at least one engagement member and the outer wall. Fastener according to claim 4, characterized in that   A fastener body adapted to engage a component, each of the opposing walls being homogeneously coupled to the fastener body, and the first torsion member being homogeneously coupled to the outer wall; The fastener of claim 4, wherein the second torsion member is uniformly coupled to the fastener body.   The at least one engagement member includes first and second engagement members having the teeth of first and second engagement members facing each other, wherein the first and second engagement members include the first and second engagement members, 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both are rotated to receive the male fastener and are adapted to engage the male fastener between the first and second engagement members. The described fastener.   The fastener of claim 1, wherein the arc of common curvature is oriented with respect to a radius of curvature of the portion of the arcuate body. Further comprising opposing first and second outwardly curved surfaces of the engagement member;
The teeth are disposed on the first outward curved surface;
A second tooth is disposed on the second outward curved surface;
Fasteners according to claim 1, characterized in that. A base of the at least one engagement member coupled to the at least one torsion member;
A stop member homogeneously coupled to the at least one base and extending outwardly therefrom;
The stop member is rotatable to contact the inner surface to prevent any insertion of the male fastener from a direction opposite to the fastener mounting direction. The fastener according to claim 1.   A biasing force adapted to contact the inner surface at a maximum deflected position of the at least one engagement member and biasing the at least one engagement member toward an undeflected position; The fastener of claim 1, further comprising a deflectable spring tab that extends homogeneously from the at least one engagement member operable to occur. A grommet defining an enclosed wall having an inner surface;
At least one engagement member disposed oppositely around the engagement member and defining an arcuate body;
The at least one engagement member is rotatable relative to the grommet by a load applied to the at least one engagement member operable to provide an elastic torsional motion of the torsion member;
Teeth that are homogeneously coupled to the at least one engagement member and are all disposed on a common curvature arc oriented with respect to the arcuate body;
A fastener body adapted to receive the grommet;
Fasteners characterized by that.   The fastener of claim 12, further comprising at least one detent member extending outwardly away from the wall.   The fastener of claim 13, further comprising at least one flange extending radially outward from the wall.   The fastener body includes first and second opposing surfaces and is adapted to slidably receive the grommet, the at least one flange abutting the first surface of the fastener body; The fastener according to claim 14, wherein the at least one detent member abuts on the second surface of the fastener body in a state where the grommet is attached.   The fastener of claim 12, further comprising a curved wall of the fastener body adapted to receive a cylindrically shaped component.   The fastener of claim 16, wherein the cylindrically shaped component includes one of a tube, a plurality of tubes, and at least one wire.   The fastener of claim 12, further comprising a tie strap that is homogeneously coupled to the grommet and extends outwardly away from the grommet. A housing having an inner surface;
Each is configured to be homogeneously coupled to the inner surface by first and second torsion members extending homogeneously from opposite sides of the engagement member and to impart torsional motion of the first and second torsion members. First and second engagement members defining an arcuate body rotatable relative to the housing by a load applied to both the first and second engagement members that is operable;
Teeth uniformly coupled to each of the first and second engagement members;
And the teeth of each of the engagement members are all disposed on an arc of common curvature oriented relative to the arcuate body of the first and second engagement members, the first engagement The teeth of the mating member face the teeth of the second engaging member and when the individual ones of the male fasteners are received in the fastener mounting direction, the first and second engaging members The automotive fastener is adapted to receive and engage a plurality of male fasteners of different sizes by rotation of the motor.   A fastener body adapted to engage a component, each of the opposing walls being homogeneously coupled to the fastener body, and the first torsion member being homogeneously coupled to the outer wall; The fastener of claim 19, wherein the second torsion member is homogeneously coupled to the fastener body.   20. The fastener of claim 19, further comprising a tie strap that is homogeneously coupled to the housing and extends outwardly away from the housing. A base portion of each of the first and second engagement members coupled to the first and second torsion members;
The insertion of any of the male fasteners from a direction that is homogeneously coupled to the base of each of the first and second engaging members, extends outwardly therefrom, and is opposite to the fastener mounting direction. A stop member that is rotatable to contact the inner surface,
The fastener of claim 19 further comprising:   The first and second engaging members are adapted to contact the inner surface at the maximum deflected position, and the first and second engaging members are attached to the undeformed position. A flexible spring tab extending homogeneously from each of the first and second engaging members operable to produce a biasing force to bias. Fasteners according to 19. A method of attaching a component to a vehicle panel to which a male fastener is attached, using a fastener having engaging member teeth disposed on a curved arc, comprising:
Using the at least one torsion member to uniformly couple the at least one engagement member to the inner surface;
Applying the one or more engagement members to a load operable to provide a torsional motion of the torsion member by pushing the at least one engagement member into contact with the male fastener. Moving at least one engagement member rotatably,
Engaging the teeth with the male fastener to resist removal of the male fastener;
A method comprising steps.

Images