Spiral flex tree fastener
First Claim
1. A spiral flex tree fastener for removable insertion into a hole defined within a panel, comprising:
- a head;
an elongated shank having a longitudinal axis and extending axially from said head; and
two sets of substantially planar, flexible fins disposed upon opposite sides of said elongated shank, said flexible fins being disposed parallel to each other within each one of said sets of fins, each one of said sets of fins extending axially along said elongated shank, each one of said fins within each one of said sets of fins being disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said elongated shank such that said fins within said two sets of fins together define spiral loci about said fastener shank and about said longitudinal axis of said fastener shank, and each one of said flexible fins having a radial extent which is greater than the radial distance extending between an edge portion of said hole and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shank so that when said fastener is inserted into said hole, said flexible fins will flex against the walls of said panel defining said hole so as to hold said fastener therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spiral flex tree fastener, for use in securing a component to a panel by insertion into a hole provided therein, has a head, and a shank extending axially therefrom and ending in a conical rounded point. The head, shank, and point share a common axis, the head naturally being of greater diameter than the shank and point. The point has a maximum diameter substantially equal to the hole into which the fastener may be inserted. The shank is flattened, has two sides and a flange running axially along each of the two sides. The shank has a diagonally measured width equivalent to the maximum diameter of the point and merges smoothly thereinto, and the flanges ensure that the fastener remains centered in the appropriately sized hole into which it may be inserted. On each side of the shank are a plurality of flexible fins set at an oblique angle with respect to the axis of the fastener. A portion of each fin extends radially outward from the axis of the shank beyond the radial extent of the conical rounded point. The fins flex against the walls of the appropriately sized hole, securing the fastener therein, and are shaped to make its nondestructive withdrawal, if desired or necessary, possible but more difficult to effect than its original insertion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A spiral flex tree fastener for removable insertion into a hole defined within a panel, comprising:
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a head; an elongated shank having a longitudinal axis and extending axially from said head; and two sets of substantially planar, flexible fins disposed upon opposite sides of said elongated shank, said flexible fins being disposed parallel to each other within each one of said sets of fins, each one of said sets of fins extending axially along said elongated shank, each one of said fins within each one of said sets of fins being disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said elongated shank such that said fins within said two sets of fins together define spiral loci about said fastener shank and about said longitudinal axis of said fastener shank, and each one of said flexible fins having a radial extent which is greater than the radial distance extending between an edge portion of said hole and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shank so that when said fastener is inserted into said hole, said flexible fins will flex against the walls of said panel defining said hole so as to hold said fastener therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A spiral flex tree fastener for removable insertion into a hole defined within a panel, comprising:
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a head; an elongated shank having a longitudinal axis and extending axially from said head; and two sets of substantially planar, flexible fins disposed upon opposite sides of said elongated shank, said flexible fins being disposed parallel to each other within each one of said sets of fins, each one of said sets of fins extending axially along said elongated shank, each one of said fins within each one of said sets of fins being disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said elongated shank such that the intersection of each one of said fins with said elongated shank defines a locus which is disposed at a predetermined oblique angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said elongated shank, and each one of said flexible fins has a radial extent which is greater than the radial distance defined between an edge portion of said hole and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shank so that when said fastener is inserted into said hole, said flexible fins will flex against the walls of said panel defining said hole so as to retain said fastener therein. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification