Article with tethered prong fastener
US5851097A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S411/913
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article with a tethered prong fastener having a first stem protruding therefrom, wherein the first stem has a distal end portion with a first resilient arm extending divergently outwardly therefrom and back toward the article, and a first flexible tether coupling the first resilient arm to the first stem. The first resilient arm is flexible inwardly toward the first stem and subsequently flexed back outwardly away from the first stem, whereby the first flexible tether member limits outward deflection of the first resilient arm away from the first stem, thereby improving fastening performance thereof without interfering with the inward flexing of the resilient arm. The tethered prong fastener is configurable as a clip useable for engageably retaining elongate body members, as a w-prong fastener fastenable through an opening in a workpiece, and as a spacing member useable for engaging and retaining first and second workpieces in spaced relation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.