Patent · US Expired

Integral doghouse fastener with retaining feature

US7178855B2 · kind B2 · utility

80Cited by
6References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2005
Grant dateFeb 20, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 15, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T24/44026
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An automotive door panel fastener assembly is provided including a substrate and a doghouse structure molded thereon. The doghouse structure includes a doghouse floor, a doghouse ceiling, a first doghouse sidewall having a first forward end and a first rearward end, a second doghouse sidewall having a second forward end and a second rearward end, a doghouse endwall, and a doghouse insertion opening. A pin chamber is formed through the doghouse ceiling. An entrance slot is formed in the doghouse ceiling to provide a path from the doghouse insertion opening to the pin chamber. The entrance slot has a first slot side and a second slot side. A first flexible arm has a first fixed end and a first free end. The first flexible arm is flexible in response to an inward force and is rigid in response to an outward force.

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