Patent · US Expired

Fastening element

US4181061A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
5References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 22, 1977
Grant dateJan 1, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 22, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16B13/0808
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An integrally molded plastic fastening element comprises a head portion, a longitudinally extending body portion having a pair of longitudinally extending pillar-like parts, and a pair of substantially rigid locking arms pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends. The rigid arms are pivotally connected to the body portion at the ends of respective pillar-like parts at positions radially adjacent the cross section of the body so that the rigid arms bear the bulk of the load applied to the fastener. The advantages of this structure include enhanced load bearing capability and ease in fabrication. In a preferred embodiment, the body is provided with a central passageway, and the pillar-like parts are curved radially inwardly in order to spring bias the walls of the passageway against an elongated retaining member inserted therein and to spring bias the arms in an over-center locking position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.