Component attachment apparatus

• US 6,435,790 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2001
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Kouji
• Primary Examiner(s): Saether, Flemming
• Application Number:
  US09/905,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20020021950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 411/21, 411/22, 411/349, 411/549, 411/553, 411/508, 411/913, 242/97, 244/53, 24D/IG.56
• US Class Current: 411/349
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2005/0671 with unlocking by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0642 the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/56 And position locking-means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/42 Independent, headed, aperture pass-through fastener

Abstract

A component attachment apparatus is used for attaching a component in a panel hole of a panel and is formed of a grommet to be inserted into the panel hole to be incapable of rotation, and a pin. The grommet includes an insertion hole, an open part extending outwardly to cross the insertion hole, and a meeting part formed at least one side of the open part along the insertion hole. The pin includes a head part larger than the insertion hole, and a leg part extending from the head part and inserted into the insertion hole of the grommet to be capable of rotation. The leg part has a first catch elastically projecting outward from an outer perimeter of the leg part to couple in the panel hole, and a second catch positioned at a tip of the leg part for preventing escape of the leg part from the insertion hole. When the pin with the leg part is inserted into the insertion hole, the first catch is positioned in the open part to engage the panel. When the pin is rotated, the first catch is pushed inward by the meeting part to be located inside the grommet, so that the component attachment apparatus can be removed from the panel.

Claims

1. A component attachment apparatus for attaching a component in a panel hole of a panel, comprising:

a grommet to be inserted into the panel hole to be incapable of rotation, and having an insertion hole, an open part extending outwardly to cross the insertion hole, and a meeting part formed at least one side of the open part along the insertion hole, and

a pin including a head part larger than the insertion hole, and a leg part extending from the head part and inserted into the insertion hole of the grommet to be capable of rotation, said leg part having a first catch elastically projecting outward in a radial direction from an outer perimeter of the leg part to couple with the panel hole, and a second catch positioned near a tip of the leg part than the first catch for preventing escape of the leg part from the insertion hole so that when the pin with the leg part is inserted into the insertion hole, the first catch is positioned in the open part to engage the panel, and when the pin is rotated, the first catch is pushed inward by the meeting part.

2. A component attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said head part of the pin includes an operating part for allowing rotational operation of the pin.

3. A component attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said meeting part of the grommet includes an inclined surface for meeting the first catch with an incline.

4. A component attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said leg part of the pin is held inside the insertion hole of the grommet.

5. A component attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the leg part of the pin includes on an outer periphery thereof one of an indented part and a raised part, and the grommet includes on an inner periphery of the insertion hole the other of the raised part and the indented part for coupling with the other in a state in which the first catch is inserted in the open part.

6. A component attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said grommet includes a cut-out part at a tip thereof to receive the second catch of the leg in the state where the first catch is inserted into the open part.

7. A component attachment apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said leg part includes a cylindrical first leg having the first catch, and a cylindrical second leg having the second catch, said second leg having a diameter smaller than that of the first leg and projecting from the first leg.

8. A component attachment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said grommet includes a side wall surrounding the insertion hole and having said open part, and a hole smaller than that of the insertion hole for receiving the second leg.