Patent Application
20240309899
The presently disclosed technology relates to push in fasteners or connectors. More particularly, the present invention is an improved plastic fastener and system utilizing the improved plastic fastener.
Plastic push pin fasteners are frequently used in the auto industry for connecting two components together, in particular when the components are thin or do not have a female opening that can receive a standard fastener, such as a metal screw. One version of push pin style fasteners use an expanding anchor or base that a shanked fastener is pushed into to cause expansion of the base. A second common push fastener has a series of flexible ribs on the shank. The ribs extend from the shank at an angle toward the fasteners head. The angle of the flexible ribs facilitates insertion of the fastener, but inhibits backing out he fastener unless sufficient force is applied to pull the fastener out.
One example of a use that has not been typical for a push pin style fastener is for securing a license plate to a vehicle. One typical license plates attachment to a vehicle is by bolts that extend through the license plate and through an opening in the license plate holder and/or bumper of the vehicle. On the opposite side of the license plate holder or bumper, a washer and nut are installed on the bolt to retain the bolt in position. This attachment mechanism can be difficult to install because it can be difficult for a vehicle owner to access the area behind mounting position, and difficult to hold the washer and screw in place.
For new vehicles, a license plate placeholder bearing an ornamental display such as a dealer advertisement, is often positioned by the dealer where the final license plate will be. However, it can be difficult for the dealer to install and remove these temporary placeholders because it is difficult to access the area behind the bumper or license plate holder.
Thus what is needed is an improved push in type fastener that is easy to insert by hand, provides secure connection, and easy to remove.
The purpose of the Summary is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way.
An improved plastic fastener is disclosed for securing a license plate placeholder to a vehicle. The plastic fastener has a head and a shank extending beneath the head. The head having a flange having a flat lower side. The flat lower side of said flange configured for retaining engagement of a face of a secured object, such as a license plate, to a substrate, such as a vehicle bumper. The head is configured for engagement with a wrench, socket and/or keyed driver such as a screwdriver or hex driver to allow for removal of the plastic fastener. The head can be formed of a typical bolt head configured for use with a socket or wrench, or can be configured similar to a standard screw. The fastener is configured for push insertion, and can be hand removed, while a wrench or other keyed driver can also be used to remove the plastic fastener from the installed position.
A threaded shank extends perpendicular to the flange from the flange to the shank tip. The threaded shank and head are a unitary piece. The threaded shank has a spiral thread extending along the outer surface of the shank along the length of the shank. The shank having a first section and a second section. The first section of the shank extends a first section length from the flange along the length of the shank to a first section end. The first section is solid without a channel. The second section extends from first section end to the shank tip. The second section has a longitudinal void dividing the second section into at least three preferably equal lobes.
Preferably the longitudinal void is in a Y-shape or X-shape allowing for three or four lobes. The longitudinal void separates the lobes in a relaxed position, meaning when the plastic fastener is not being threaded into a license plate and substrate, such as a license plate bracket or a bumper.
The lobes of the threaded shank extend each to a tip. The tip of each lobe is configured in a sloped, threadless configuration such as to provide a tip when the lobes are biased together. The tips of the lobes are configured to be biased together as the plastic fastener is inserted into an opening, The shank is configured such that said lobes compress together as the plastic fastener is pushed into the aligned openings of the license plate placeholder and substrate. The edges of the opening compress the lobes as the force of the rotation of the head of the plastic fastener causes rotation of the shank and spiral thread, threading the plastic fastener through the opening. As the threaded shank is being pushed into the opening the lobes are pushed toward one another, compressing the longitudinal void. As the lobes extend through the opening, the lobes are resilient so as to return to toward the relaxed position. The lobes are configured to rebound outward so as to provide a force retaining the plastic fastener in the opening, and thus retaining the retained object or device on the substrate. When the plastic fastener is fully inserted, opening of the object being retained is adjacent to the first section of the threaded shank, allowing the second or lower section of the shank to have fully and resiliently rebounded.
Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature
While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.
The threaded shank has threads 14 that extend substantially down the shank. The shank is formed of two sections 16, 18. The first section 16 of the threaded shank is a solid section and configured to be positioned within the opening of the object being mounted, such as the openings in a license plate, and the opening of the substrate. The second section 18 of the shank extends from the first section 16 to the tip 12 of the shank, which is formed by the tips of the three or four lobes forming the second section of the shank . The second section 18 is formed with a channel extending longitudinally in the shank. The longitudinal channel divides the shank in the section 18 into a series of lobes 22, 24, 26. In the depicted embodiment, the channels forms a Y-Shape dividing the shank into three lobes separated by the Y-Shaped channel. The shank is formed of a resilient material, preferably a plastic material. The shank is formed such that compression of the tip of each lobe causes the tips to move toward each other, compressing the Y-Shaped channel. In the depicted embodiment, a Y-Shaped channel is utilized separating the shank into three lobes, however alternate shapes can be used such as an X-Shaped channel dividing the shank into four lobes.
The plastic fastener provides a reusable, tool-free installation method that can be used a wide variety of instances in which an object is secured to a substrate, such as hanging panels, tags, or signage to shelving.
While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.
