Captive panel fastener assembly
US4815908A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1986 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S411/999
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A captive panel fastener assembly for joining a panel to a sub-structure. The fastener assembly includes a bolt, a grommet assembly which is attached to the panel and a receptacle assembly which is attached to the sub-structure. The bolt passes through the grommet assembly and engages the receptacle assembly thereby joining the panel and the sub-structure. The bolt includes an enlarged head and a threaded shank with a terminal nose and a groove adjacent the nose. A retaining ring is trapped in a cavity in the grommet assembly. The cavity of the grommet assembly is an annular cavity defined by the inner annular peripheral vertical wall of the grommet assembly, and has an inwardly extending horizontal bottom flange. The upper wall may be formed by an upwardly and inwardly extending upper flange. The bolt may be disengaged from the receptacle assembly and retracted away from the panel but retained thereto when the panel is disengaged from the sub-structure. The configuration of the cavity allows the retaining ring to bottom against the upper flange thereof when the bolt is pulled to the outward position causing the retaining ring to bottom out against the groove of the bolt. Thus, the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.