Removable fastener capable of elastic deformation

• US 5,346,347 A
• Filed: 01/21/1993
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clip-Off
• Original Assignee: Clipp-Off
• Inventors: Girardiere, Christian, Barikosky, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Neill R.
• Application Number:
  US08/004,897
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 411/19, 411/21-23, 411/15, 411/182, 411/508-510, 411/908, 411/913
• US Class Current: 411/19
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/076 the socket having a resilient part on its outside F16B21/075 takes precedence

Abstract

A parts fastener has a body having at one of its ends a flanged head projecting from the body. For that purpose the body evinces a central cavity communicating with the outside and includes at least a wall portion of which the inner side bounds part of the cavity, and which elastically deforms under an external force applied to the wall portion. The wall portion has, on its outer side, a projection which together with the head flange bounds a jaw by means of which the fastener may be inserted into the part to which it must be affixed. The projection opens on account of the deformation of the wall portion and frees the part and the fastener from each other. The device may also include means to cause the deforming force from the outside.

Claims

1. A fastener for a part, from which it can be removed again, comprising

a body a flanged head projecting from one end of said body;

a central cavity within said body and communicating with outside of the body;

at least one wall portion of said body having an inner side bounding a segment of said cavity, wherein said wall portion elastically deforms when an outside force is applied to said wall portion;

a projection on an outer side of said wall portion, wherein said projection and said flanged head bound a jaw by means of which the fastener can be affixed to said part and on account of the deformation of said wall portion the projection will open and release the part and the fastener from each other; and

means for applying said deforming force, wherein the deforming-force means are pressure or vacuum sources, the cavity is substantially sealed and said pressure or vacuum sources communicate with said central cavity to create a pressure imbalance causing said outside force.

2. Fastener according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is sealed by a material-on-material sliding motion of the projection against adjacent walls of said body.

3. Fastener according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is sealed by inserting peripheral seals between the projection and adjacent walls of said body.

4. Fastener according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is sealed by an elastic membrane integrated during manufacture into the other components.

5. Fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that it serves as a closure means for a receptacle orifice.

6. Fastener according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is a continuous axial passage through the body of which the head or upper part is threaded to act as a nut for a threaded part.

7. Fastener according to claim 1, inserted into said part in order to lock it.

8. Fastener according to claim 1, wherein said outside force is atmospheric pressure.

9. A fastener adapted to be inserted through a hole defined within an object to be fastened and from which it can be removed, comprising:

a body having an axis, a lateral wall parallel with said axis and a substantially air-tight central cavity;

a flanged head at one end of said body having a hole through which said cavity communicates with outside said body and a first annular substantially plane surface perpendicular to said axis; and

a least one wall portion having an inner side bounding a segment of said cavity and an outer side along the lateral wall of the body with a second substantially plane annular surface, wherein said wall portion is resiliently movable, from (i) a first position in which said second annular surface is parallel to and faces said first annular surface, to (ii) a second position when said cavity is connected to an external vacuum source, in which said second annular surface is moved toward the axis of the body so as to be no longer parallel with said first annular surface;

wherein, said first and second annular surfaces bound between them an operable jaw by means of which the fastener, after having been inserted in said hole when said movable wall portion is in said second position, can be fastened to said object when said movable wall portion is brought to said first position.