Fastener
First Claim
1. The combination comprising a one-piece resilient plastic fastener and a first work piece and a second work piece having respective first and second apertures therethrough, said apertures being aligned and said fastener extending through both of said apertures and detachably retaining said work pieces in close confronting assembled relation, said first aperture being substantially circular and said second aperture being substantially circular with a radial extension therefrom, said fastener including a base member and a main body having a main axis and extending axially from said base member and through said apertures, said base member having means thereon for rotating said fastener about said main body axis, said main body having a first resiliently displaceable engaging member projecting laterally from said main body and spaced a first predetermined distance axially along said main body from said base member and non-releasably snapped through said first aperture and axially engaging said first work piece to retain said fastener in assembled relation with said first work piece, and a second laterally displaceable engaging member spaced circumferentially from said first engaging member and spaced axially from said base member a second predetermined distance greater than said first predetermined distance and axially engaged said second work piece to hold said second work piece in assembled relation with said first work piece, rotation of said fastener aligning said second engaging member with the radial extension of said second aperture to permit said second work piece to be separated from said fastener and said first work piece, said fastener remaining in assembled relation with said first work piece for subsequent reuse.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener snaps through aligned apertures in two work pieces. The shape of the aperture in the first work piece is such that the fastener cannot be withdrawn from it. However, the aperture in the second work piece is so shaped that the fastener can be rotated for removal of the fastener from the second work piece. The work pieces thereby can be separated, but the fastener remains in substantially permanent association with the first work piece for reuse of the work piece and the fastener.
124 Citations
1 Claim
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1. The combination comprising a one-piece resilient plastic fastener and a first work piece and a second work piece having respective first and second apertures therethrough, said apertures being aligned and said fastener extending through both of said apertures and detachably retaining said work pieces in close confronting assembled relation, said first aperture being substantially circular and said second aperture being substantially circular with a radial extension therefrom, said fastener including a base member and a main body having a main axis and extending axially from said base member and through said apertures, said base member having means thereon for rotating said fastener about said main body axis, said main body having a first resiliently displaceable engaging member projecting laterally from said main body and spaced a first predetermined distance axially along said main body from said base member and non-releasably snapped through said first aperture and axially engaging said first work piece to retain said fastener in assembled relation with said first work piece, and a second laterally displaceable engaging member spaced circumferentially from said first engaging member and spaced axially from said base member a second predetermined distance greater than said first predetermined distance and axially engaged said second work piece to hold said second work piece in assembled relation with said first work piece, rotation of said fastener aligning said second engaging member with the radial extension of said second aperture to permit said second work piece to be separated from said fastener and said first work piece, said fastener remaining in assembled relation with said first work piece for subsequent reuse.
Specification