Patent · US Active

Fasteners for clamping sheet-form members, and apparatus and method using such fasteners to attach undercover onto underside of vehicle floor panel

US7891151B2 · kind B2 · utility

42Cited by
65References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 24, 2007
Grant dateFeb 22, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 12, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D29/048
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Two-clip tubular fasteners are used to clamp a sheet-like member between flanges of the clips. An apparatus and method for attaching an undercover to the underside of a vehicle floor panel having a plurality of studs comprises a plurality of the tubular fasteners that are inserted into respective mounting holes of the undercover and that are engaged with the studs. At least some of the mounting holes provide diametral clearance with respect to corresponding tubular fasteners. The flanges of those fasteners exert a predetermined clamping force on the undercover while permitting planar movement of the undercover. One of the flanges has a configuration that engages a cooperable configuration on the undercover to prevent undesired turning of a first clip relative to a second clip.

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