KR20040108544A - Fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A fastener is provided to enhance reliability thereof by using a pin and an anchor. CONSTITUTION: A fastener includes an anchor(120), a push button(131), a pin(132), a fixing unit, and a push pin assembling member. The anchor includes an upper plate, a central leg, and an anchor arm(124). The upper plate(121) has an upper surface and a lower surface. The central leg(123) is connected to the lower surface of the upper plate(121), extends in a vertical to the lower surface, and has a free end. The anchor arm(124) is connected to the free end of the central leg(123). The push button(131) has an upper surface and a lower surface. The pin(132) is connected to the lower surface of the push button(131) and downwardly extends from the lower surface. The fixing unit fixes the push pin in a pushed state.

Description

Fasteners {FASTENER}

The present invention relates to a preloadable retainer for fastening two plate-like objects together. More specifically, the present invention relates to fasteners comprising pushpins and anchors which are particularly useful for securing automotive body panels to metal sheets.

Anchor-type fasteners with a center pin are known. For example, US Pat. No. 4,571,134 to Beglinger et al. Discloses a two-piece plastic fastener comprising an anchor and a center pin. The anchor includes a closed V-shaped insert and a top plate. The anchor is disposed through two (or more) plate-like objects to be fastened together. The center pin extends downward between the V-shaped arms so that when the pin is pressed completely, the arm opens. When the arm is opened, the fastener is fixed to the rear object to prevent the fastener from escaping. The plate prevents the front object from falling off from the rear object. Although this type of fastener is widely used, the closed V-shape of the anchor makes installation difficult. This is because much force is required to bend the V-shaped anchor arm sufficiently inward to pass through the hole in the mounted object and to sufficiently bend outward so that the pin fully extends to the insertion position to hold the anchor in the object. During insertion of the pin, the anchor must be sufficiently bent so that the anchor is not accidentally pulled out by the counter force acting on the object.

Other fasteners using the same concept are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 6,533,515, 6,074,144 and 5, 775, 860 in Meyer's and 6,045,309 in Revey's. All of these fasteners have the same drawbacks as Weglinger's fasteners. The closed V-shaped configuration of the anchor has strong bending resistance, which requires a large force to insert the fasteners into the fixed position.

Other shaped plastic fasteners are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,085,651 to Koscik. In this fastener, the anchor consists of two parallel legs extending below the plate. Pressing the center pin causes the legs to bend outward to hold the fasteners in the object. Since this fastener is more difficult to insert parallel legs into a small hole in the object, there is a drawback that the operator often has to pinch the legs together with a finger to insert the anchor.

In high volume applications such as automotive assembly lines, the fasteners used to attach the body panels to the car frame should be quick and easy to install in large quantities. Since the fastener is inserted by hand, the fastener must not take excessive force to complete the insertion, causing operator fatigue. The fasteners should also be able to be installed using minimal steps.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastener which can be easily installed with little force.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a strong and reliable fastener.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener that does not need to be assembled before use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which can be manufactured simply and inexpensively.

These and other objects are achieved by fasteners having anchors and center pins. The anchor includes a top plate to which the center leg is connected. The center leg extends vertically downward from the top plate. At the free end of the center leg there are two anchor arms extending outwardly from this free end and forming an arrowhead shape. Each anchor arm has a free end facing upwards. The anchor arm is flexible and can be bent inward when the anchor is placed through a hole in the object to be fastened.

At the free end of each anchor arm there is a lip extending outward. This lip extends through a hole in the body panel to be fastened to be supported by the top surface of the top panel, providing additional strength and support for the fastening structure.

The pushpin assembly is connected to the top of the top plate. The pushpin assembly is molded integrally with the top surface of the top plate by a small engagement area. In this way, only a single mold is needed to form the fastener. Pressing on the pushpin breaks the engagement region to form a two-piece anchor from a single portion. The push pin includes a push button and a pin connected to the bottom of the push button. The pin consists of a vertical column with a channel for receiving the center leg of the anchor. When the push button is pressed downwards, the pin slides along the center leg until the end of the pin contacts the inner surface of the anchor leg. This secures the fastener in the object to which the anchor arm is pushed outwards to be fastened.

There is a guiding flange located on the inner surface of the anchor arm, which when the pin slides toward the bottom of the anchor, preferably guides the guiding flange to keep it aligned with the center leg. The flange extends from the channel around one side of the anchor on the opposite side of the pin, preventing the pin from moving laterally beyond a predetermined limit. The pin has a notch cut to its bottom. When the bottom of the pin contacts the guide flange, the guide flange snaps into the notch to prevent the pin from moving upward. Additional notch and flange configurations are located higher than the pin and anchor assemblies, and are closely snapped to further ensure pin movement is prevented after the fastener is in a fully fixed position.

Preferably, the fastener can be set in a pre-mounted state before being inserted into the object to be fastened. When the fastener is first molded, the pin is molded integrally with the anchor and extends through the hole in the top plate. The hole is preferably U-shaped in conformity with the channel containing the fin structure. Pressing the push button down slightly releases the connection to the anchor, and the pin slides through the hole to the partial insertion position. In this pre-mounted state, the fastener can be easily inserted into the object to be fastened, and then with a slight push of the pushpin, the fastener can be moved to a fully fixed position. Before the fasteners are fully secured, the pin can freely move up and down within the anchor. After the pin is fully inserted into the top plate, it is desirable that there is a groove fixed in the protrusion located on the bottom surface of the top plate to prevent the pin from slipping out of the hole after being fully inserted into the anchor.

The open V-shape of the anchor arm imparts excessive flexibility to the anchor arm, making it simple to insert the pin into the hole of the object to be fastened and does not require much force. Likewise, pressing the pushpin into the anchor leg does not require much force so that the anchor leg extends outward and secures the fastener to the object to be fastened.

The fasteners are pre-formed with pins and anchors and do not require any assembly for use. Conventional two-piece anchor arrangements require additional time and require additional fatigue for the operator, as the pin and anchor must be assembled before use. In the present invention, all that is needed to use the anchor is to press the pins sufficiently to break the connection and pre-fit the fasteners. This can be done at the end of manufacturing or at the assembly line.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views.

1 is a front view showing one embodiment of the fastener in the initial molding state according to the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the fastener of FIG. 1 is preloaded.

4 is a front view of the fastener of FIG.

5 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 1 partially inserted into two layers to be fastened to each other;

6 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 1 installed in two layers before being secured;

7 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 1 in a fully secured state.

8 shows a modification of the fastener in the state just molded;

9 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 8;

10 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 8 in a preloaded state.

11 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 8 installed on two sheet-like objects before being fixed.

12 is a front view of the fastener of FIG. 11 in a pre-fixed state on an object.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the fastener of FIGS. 11 and 12 in a fully secured state;

14 is a front view of the retaining arm and the top plate of the anchor portion in the fastener of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the pushpin of the fastener shown in FIG. 8; FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10, 110: Fastener

20, 120: anchor

21, 121: top plate

22: hole

23, 123: center leg

24, 124: Anchor Arm

29: Lip

30, 130: push pin assembly

31, 131: push button

32, 132: pin

33, 133: Channel

140: holding arm

50, 60: object

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 7 show a fastener 10 of the present invention from an initial forming state (FIG. 1) to a fully fixed state (FIG. 7). 1 shows a fastener 10 in an initial forming state according to the invention. The fastener 10 includes an anchor 20 and a pushpin assembly 30. The anchor 20 has a top plate 21 connected to the center leg 23. The center leg 23 extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom face of the upper plate 21. There are two flexible anchor arms 24 connected to the free end of the center leg 23. Each anchor arm 24 extends upwardly away from the center leg 23. At the free end of each anchor arm 24 is a lip 29.

The pushpin assembly 30 includes a push button 31 and a pin 32 connected to the push button 31 and extending downward from the bottom of the push button. The pin 32 is fitted to fit through the hole 22 in the top plate 21, and when the push button 31 is pressed, the pin 32 extends through the hole 22, so that the push button 31 is the anchor arm. The 24 are pressed to force the anchor arm 24 to bend apart from one another and away from the center leg 23 (see FIGS. 3-7).

As shown in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIG. 2, the pin 32 has a channel 33 cut therein. The shape of the channel 33 corresponds to the shape of the center leg 23 of the anchor 20, and when the push button 31 is pressed, the pin 32 slides along the center leg 23, and thus the center leg 23. ) Is at least partially fitted into the channel 33 (see FIG. 2). In this way, the center leg 23 not only supports the anchor arm 24, but also functions to guide the pin 32.

1 shows a fastener 10 in its initial forming state. The push pin assembly 30 is integrally molded with the anchor 20 by a connection point 36 connecting the top plate 21 and the bottom of the pin 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the push button 31 is pushed down, the connection point 36 is broken and the pin 32 extends through the hole 22 of the upper plate 21 to the preliminary mounting position. This operation can be easily done at the manufacturing stage or at the installation point before installing the fastener 10.

4 to 6 show the fastener 10 installed on two flat objects 50 and 60. Typically, the two objects 50 and 60 are each a vehicle body panel and a metal sheet, but fasteners can be used to fasten any substantially flat object. First, when the fastener 10 is inserted into the hole in the object 50, 60, the lip 29 on the anchor arm 24 extends out of the hole, so that the fastener 10 and the panels 50, 60 are stable. Are combined. When the push button 31 is pressed and the pin 32 extends around the leg 23 and the anchor arm is pushed outward, the anchor arm 24 extends outward so that the anchor 20 is in the object 50, 50. It remains tight (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

There is a fastening mechanism for fastening the fastener 10 to a fixed position on the objects 50, 60, which includes notches 34, 35 in the pin 32. The retaining flange on the anchor arm 24 engages the notch 35 to prevent upward movement of the pin 32 once the push button 31 is fully pressed. The pin 32 has an additional set of notches 34 and a pair of hooks 48 extending below the bottom of the top plate 21. Fully pressing the push button 31 engages the notch 35 to further prevent upward movement of the pushpin assembly 30.

The fastener according to the present invention does not need to be assembled, can be simply installed, does not cause operator fatigue, and can fasten two or more plate-shaped articles with high reliability.

8 to 15 show a variant of the present invention. Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 8 to 13 show a fastener 110 according to the invention from an initial forming state (FIG. 8) to a fully fixed state (FIG. 13). 8 and 9 show a fastener 110 in an initial forming state according to the present invention. The fastener 110 includes an anchor 120 and a pushpin assembly 300. The anchor 120 has a top plate 121 connected to the center leg 123. The center leg 123 extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the top plate 121. A flexible anchor arm 124 is connected to the free end of the center leg 123. Each anchor arm 124 extends away from the center leg 123 and each anchor arm has a free end connected to nothing. Anchor arm 124 has a tapered top 128 that extends as anchor arm 124 extends from its free end 125 back to the distal end of the center leg 123, thereby providing a central leg 123. Form an inclined wall that faces away.

The pushpin assembly 130 includes a push button 131 and a pin 132 connected to and extending below the bottom of the push button 131. The pins 132 are fitted to fit through the holes 122 of the top plate 121, thereby pressing the push button 131 so that the anchor arms 124 bend away from each other from the center leg 123 and bend away from each other. 131 allows the pin to extend through the hole 122 and slide along the sloped surface of the anchor arm 124 (see FIGS. 11-13).

As shown in FIG. 8 and in more detail in FIG. 15, the pin 132 has a channel 133 cut therein. The shape of the channel 33 corresponds to the shape of the center leg 123 of the anchor 12. When the push button 131 is pressed, the pin 132 slides along the center leg 123, and the center leg 123 is pressed. Is at least partially fitted into channel 133 (see FIG. 15). In this way, the center leg 123 not only supports the anchor arm 124 but also serves to guide the pin 132. In Figures 9-13 the channel 133 is not shown because it is obscured.

There are two retaining arms 140 extending downward from the bottom of the top plate 121. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the push button 131 is fully pressed, the holding arm 140 contacts the free end 125 of the anchor arm 124, and the anchor arm 124 reaches the predetermined limit. Prevents stretching.

As shown in FIGS. 8-11, a hook 142 is provided at the free end of the retaining arm 140 and the hook (shown in FIG. 1) corresponding to the free end 125 of the anchor arm 124 ( There is a latching mechanism with 143. When the push button 131 is fully pressed, the hooks 142, 143 engage with each other to prevent the anchor arm 124 from leaving the retaining arm 140. At the edge of the retaining arm 140 is a flange 141 (shown in detail in FIG. 14), which is positioned on the anchor arm 124 when the push button is fully pressed so that the anchor arm 124 is fully extended. Prevents all transverse movements.

As shown in FIG. 8, there is a transversely extending guide flange 126 on the inner side of the anchor arm 124. Guide flange 126 guides pin 132 as pin 132 extends downward toward anchor arm 124 to maintain pin parallel to center leg 123. One end of the guiding flange 126 extends outwardly toward the center leg 123 to prevent lateral pivoting of the pin 132 such that the center leg 123 is channeled when the push button 131 is pressed. (133) is prevented from exiting.

8 and 9 show the fastener 110 in its initial molded state. The push pin assembly 130 is integrally formed with the anchor 12 by a connection point 136 connecting the top plate 121 and the bottom of the pin 132. As shown in FIG. 8. When push button 131 is pushed downward, connection point 136 is broken and pin 132 extends through hole 122 of top plate 121. This operation can be easily performed at the manufacturing stage or at the installation point prior to installing the fastener 110.

11 to 13 illustrate the installation of fasteners 110 on two flat objects 150, 160. Typically, the objects 150 and 160 are car body panels and metal sheets, respectively, but any substantially flat object may be fastened to the fastener 110. When the push button 131 is pressed outward to the anchor arm, the anchor arm extends outward to hold the anchor 120 firmly within the objects 150, 160 (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

There is a fastening mechanism for fastening the fastener 11 at a fixed position on the objects 150, 160, which includes a notch 135 in the pin 132. The bottom of the guide flange 126 on the anchor arm 124 engages the notch 135 to prevent the pin from moving upward once the push button is fully pressed. The pin 132 has an additional set of notches 134 and a pair of flanges 148 extending below the bottom of the top plate 121. Pressing fully on push button 131 causes flange 148 to snap into notch 135 to further prevent upward movement of pushpin assembly 13.

Sufficient vertical clearance between the hook 143 and the flange 148 on the anchor arm 124 so that the arms 124 press together to pass through a hole in the panel increases the vertical extension of the arms 124 and narrows the width thereof. Should be there. The flange 148 is positioned so that when the fastener 110 is inserted into the article to be fastened, it does not interfere with the movement of the legs 124 described above. In addition, the hook 143 is formed so as not to prevent further compression of the arm 124 while preventing further horizontal expansion of the arm 124 if necessary. For example, if the fastener 110 is placed into the preliminary fixation position shown in FIG. 12, the hook 143 engages the hook 124, but if the release of the push button 131 prior to final fixation the arm 124. It is still possible for the) to be compressed and detached from the hook 124.

Thus, although only a few embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

According to the present invention, a fastener is provided which is strong and reliable and which does not need to be assembled before use. In addition, a fastener that can be manufactured simply and inexpensively is provided.

Claims (16)

(a) a top plate having a top and a bottom; (b) a central leg connected to the bottom of said top plate, extending substantially perpendicular to said bottom and having a free end; (c) at least one anchor arm connected to the free end of the central leg and extending upward away from the leg and having a free end An anchor comprising an; A push button having an upper surface and a lower surface; A pin connected to a bottom of the push button and extending downward from the bottom, the pin is fitted to fit through a hole in the top plate, and when the push button is pressed, the pin extends through a hole parallel to the center leg, one A pin that the above anchor arm is pressed outward; Fixing device for fixing the push pin in a pressed state Fastener comprising a pushpin assembly comprising a. The fastener of claim 1 further comprising a lip connected to the free end of the anchor arm and extending outwardly. The pin according to claim 1, wherein the pin has a cut channel therein, the shape of the channel corresponds to the shape of the center leg of the anchor, and when the push button is pressed, the pin slides along the center leg so that the center leg is A fastener fitted at least partially within the channel. 4. The fastener of claim 3 wherein the aperture has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the pin. The push pin assembly of claim 1, wherein the push pin assembly is integrally formed with the anchor by a connection point connecting the top plate and the bottom of the pin, and when the push button is pressed downward, the connection point is broken and the pin extends through a hole in the top plate. Fasteners. The fastener of claim 1 having two anchor arms. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the retaining device includes at least one notch in the pin and a retaining flange on the at least one anchor arm, the retaining flange being caught in the notch and the pin moving upward when the push button is fully pressed. Fastener which is to prevent doing. The push pin assembly of claim 7, wherein the securing device further comprises one or more protrusions in the pin and one or more hooks below the bottom of the top plate, wherein when the push button is fully pressed, one or more hooks below the bottom engage the one or more protrusions. Fasteners to prevent upward movement. The at least one retaining arm of claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining arm extending downward from the bottom of the top plate, wherein the at least one retaining arm is in contact with the free end of the at least one anchor arm when the push button is fully pressed. Fasteners that prevent this from extending beyond the intended limit. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism and one or more retaining arms on the free ends of the one or more anchor arms, wherein the latching arms retract the retaining arms when the push button is fully pressed. Fastener that is to prevent falling off. The fastener of claim 10 wherein the latching mechanism is a hook on the retaining arm and a corresponding opposing hook on the anchor arm, the two hooks being engaged with each other when the push button is fully pressed. 10. The fastener of claim 9 further comprising a flange positioned at an edge of the one or more retaining arms, wherein the flange prevents all lateral movement of the one or more anchor arms when the push button is fully pressed. 10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a guide flange extending laterally on the inner side of the at least one anchor arm, wherein the guide flange guides the pin when the pin extends downwardly toward the at least one anchor arm, Fasteners to keep parallel to this center leg. 14. The fastener of claim 13 wherein one end of the guide flange extends outward toward the center leg to prevent the center leg from exiting the channel when the push button is pressed. The at least one anchor arm of claim 1, wherein the at least one anchor arm has a tapered free end that extends as the arm extends toward the center leg, defines an inclined surface facing the center leg, and the push button is pressed to press the one or more anchors. A fastener that slides along the inclined wall when the arm bends away from the center leg. 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the securing mechanism further comprises one or more notches of the pin and one or more flanges extending below the bottom of the top plate, wherein when the pushbutton is fully pressed, the one or more flanges below the bottom are selected by the one or more flanges. A fastener that snaps into the flange to prevent upward movement of the pushpin assembly.