Elastically deformable alignment fastener and system
US9458876B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B21/086
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elastically deformable alignment fastener has the form of a unitary object having a head portion and an integrally formed body portion. The body portion has an elastically deformable lobular hollow tube having a proximal end proximate the head portion and a distal end axially displaced from the head portion. The lobular hollow tube has an outer surface having one or more retention features oriented to provide a plurality of radially extending engagement surfaces along a length of the hollow tube. The head portion has a flange that circumscribes the proximal end of the lobular hollow tube. Portions of the elastically deformable lobular hollow tube when inserted into circular apertures of first and second components elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first and second components in four planar orthogonal directions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.