Fastener

• US 5,672,038 A
• Filed: 12/23/1996
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Western Michigan University
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Eaton, Gary Garland
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Santos, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US08/772,235
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• Field of Search: 411/451, 411/455, 411/456, 411/508, 411/510, 411/908, 411/913, 411/509
• US Class Current: 411/510
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 15/06 with barbs, e.g. for metal parts; Drive screws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/908 Resinous material

Abstract

An injection molded fastener is provided for securing a preform to a foam substrate. The fastener includes a body having first and second ends with a head secured to the first end. A pilot section extends from the second end of the body, and includes a pointed end for penetrating and forming a hole in the preform and substrate. A plurality of angled barbs extend from the body for preventing removal of the fastener from the formed hole. The fastener is of sufficient strength to withstand a hammer blow and to penetrate the substrate when hammered. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a mineral filled nylon material.

Claims

1. A fastener for securing a first member to a substrate member, comprising:

a tapered body having first and second ends and opposing tapered flat sides;

a head secured to said first end of said body;

an extended pilot section extending from said second end of said body, and having a sharp pointed end for penetrating and forming a hole in the substrate member;

a plurality of angled barbs extending from said body for preventing removal of the fastener from the formed hole, said barbs having distal ends cooperating to form a taper such that each successive distal end extends further away from the body than the previous distal end for improved gripping; and

said fastener being a one-piece injection molded part.

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said body has a body width, and said pilot section has a pilot width narrower than said body width.

3. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises mineral filled nylon.

4. A fastener for securing a fiberglass preform to a foam substrate, comprising:

a tapered body having first and second ends and opposing tapered flat sides;

a head secured to said first end of said body;

an extended pilot section extending from said second end of said body, and having a sharp pointed end for penetrating and forming a hole in the fiberglass preform;

a plurality of angled barbs extending from said body for preventing removal of the fastener from the formed hole, said barbs having distal ends cooperating to form a taper such that each successive distal end extends further away from the body than the previous distal end for improved gripping; and

said fastener being a one-piece injection molded part.

5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said body has a body width, and said pilot section has a pilot width narrower than said body width.

6. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said fastener comprises mineral filled nylon material.

7. An injection molded fastener for securing a fiberglass preform to a foam substrate, comprising:

a tapered body having a body width and first and second ends, and having opposing tapered flat sides;

a head secured to said first end of said body;

an extended pilot section extending from said second end of said body, said pilot section having a pilot width narrower than said body width, and having a sharp pointed end for penetrating and forming a hole in the fiberglass preform;

a plurality of angled barbs extending from said body for preventing removal of the fastener from the formed hole, said barbs having distal ends cooperating to form a taper such that each successive distal end extends further away from the body than the previous distal end for improved gripping; and

said fastener comprising a one-piece injection molded mineral filled nylon material.