Fastener assembly and method of using a fastener assembly

• US 8,707,525 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2011
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. (Forvia SE)
• Original Assignee: Fauceria Interior Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Davies, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US13/196,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20130031752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 242/92, 242/97, 242/89, 242/93, 244/53, 296/191, 403/408.1, 411/508, 411/510
• US Class Current: 24/453
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0628 allowing for adjustment parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the sheets or plates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/303 having laterally extending biasing appendage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/309 Plastic type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/42 Independent, headed, aperture pass-through fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/75 having a joining piece extending through aligned openings in plural members

Abstract

A fastener assembly and for joining a first body to a second body and a method for using the fastener assembly are disclosed herein. The fastener assembly includes, but is not limited to, a base component that is configured for engagement with the first body. The base component includes a class A surface. The fastener assembly further includes a fastening component that is connected to the base component and that extends therefrom. The fastening component is configured to translate for a predetermined distance with respect to the base component. The fastening component is further configured to engage the second body. The fastener assembly still further includes a biasing feature that is configured to urge the fastening component towards a substantially concentric arrangement with respect to the base component.

Claims

1. A fastener assembly for joining a first body to a second body, the fastener assembly comprising:

a base component configured for engagement with the first body, a surface of the base component comprising a class A surface;

a fastening component connected to the base component and extending therefrom, the fastening component configured to translate for a predetermined distance with respect to the base component and further configured to engage the second body; and

a biasing feature configured to urge the fastening component towards a substantially concentric arrangement with respect to the base component,

wherein the base component comprises a plate member connected to a collar member, wherein the fastening component comprises a disk portion, a stud portion, and an engagement portion and wherein the disk portion is retained between the plate member and the collar member.

2. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening component includes a portion configured as a Christmas tree for engaging the first body.

3. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening component includes a threaded portion for engaging the first body.

4. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the class A surface comprises a wood grain pattern.

5. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the plate member comprises a class A surface on a side of the plate member opposite the collar member.

6. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the collar member has an opening, wherein the stud portion extends through the opening, wherein the opening has a first dimension, wherein the stud portion has a diameter having a second dimension, and wherein the first dimension exceeds the second dimension.

7. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the disk portion is configured to slide with respect to the plate member and the collar member.

8. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the disk portion includes a plurality of raised surfaces that are configured for sliding engagement with respect to the plate member and the collar member.

9. The fastener assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of raised surfaces comprises a plurality of spherical surfaces.

10. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing feature comprises a plurality of biasing elements.

11. The fastener assembly of claim 10, wherein the plurality of biasing elements comprise a plurality of spring members.

12. The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of spring members comprises a plurality of curved spring arms extending in a generally outward direction from the fastening component and engaging the base component to maintain the fastening component in a substantially concentric relationship with respect to the base component.

13. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the base component comprises a plate member connected to a collar member, wherein the fastening component comprises a disk portion, a stud portion, and an engagement portion, wherein the disk portion is retained between the plate member and the collar member, wherein the plate member comprises a class A surface on a side of the plate member opposite the collar member, wherein the collar member has an opening, wherein the stud portion extends through the opening, wherein the opening has a first dimension, wherein the stud portion has a diameter having a second dimension, and wherein the first dimension exceeds the second dimension, wherein the disk portion includes a plurality of raised spherical surfaces extending from opposite sides of the disk portion that are configured for sliding engagement with the plate member and the collar member, wherein the biasing feature comprises a plurality of curved spring arms extending in a generally outward direction from the disk portion and engaging an inner surface of the collar member to maintain the fastening component in a substantially concentric relationship with respect to the base component.

14. A method for using a fastener assembly to join a first body to a second body, the fastener assembly having a base component configured for engagement with the first body, a surface of the base component having a class A surface, a fastening component connected to the base component and extending therefrom, the fastening component configured to translate for a predetermined distance with respect to the base component and further configured to engage the second body, and a biasing feature configured to urge the fastening component towards a substantially concentric arrangement with respect to the base component, the method comprising the steps of:

aligning the first body with respect to the second body;

determining that a first attachment opening of the first body and a second attachment opening of the second body are misaligned; and

inserting the fastener assembly into the first attachment opening and the second attachment opening to join the first body to the second body.