Joints and connections – Rod to member to side – e.g. – plate – rod side – etc. – Intermediate member includes tubular part
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-19
2001-10-30
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Rod to member to side, e.g., plate, rod side, etc.
Intermediate member includes tubular part
C403S353000, C403S408100, C403S230000, C403S233000, C403S240000, C403S006000, C403S007000, C411S410000, C411S402000, C411S304000, C411S411000, C411S302000, C411S301000, C280S728100, C280S735000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309132
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a fastening assembly for fastening a first member to a second member, and more particularly to a fastening assembly wherein the fastener elements are disposed within a recessed mode so as not to protrude from the members being fastened together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When fastening a sensor, such as, for example, a sensor for an airbag, it is required that the fastener means, that is, one or a plurality of threaded fasteners must not project beyond the sensor, otherwise the danger is to be seen that the safety belt which is attached to a column of the car body contacts the end of a solid fastener and thus may be damaged. A fastening of such a housing from the opposite side normally is not possible as the hollow column does not admit access to the interior thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fastening assembly comprising a member to be fastened, in particular a housing for a sensor, and a support member which allows a safe and extremely simple and quick fastening of the members together without leaving unnecessarily protruding parts.
The fastening assembly according to the present invention provides a threaded fastener which is accommodated within a through-bore of the first member, such as, for example, a sensor housing. The threaded fastener has a head at one end thereof which may be additionally formed with a flange portion serving as a washer. The threaded shank of the fastener is accommodated within an inner thread of the bore and has engagement surfaces for a tool at the free end thereof, such as, for example, a so-called Torx-portion. The second member which is preferably of thin sheet material, such as, for example, a column of the body of an automobile, has an opening or a hole which comprises two portions, namely a larger portion allowing the passage of the fastener head and a smaller sized portion which allows the head to grip behind the edge of the hole defining the smaller sized portion while contemporarily accommodating the fastener shank. The fastener is pre-assembled in the first member such that the head is spaced from the associated surface of the first member. According to an embodiment of the invention, the fastener shank can be threaded into an insert which for example forms an interference fit with the bore. If, however, the first member is of metallic material in the area of the bore, the bore can be provided with an inner thread. In any case it is appropriate if the thread of the shank has an adhering portion by which the threaded fastener is held in the pre-position. With the pre-mounted threaded fastener the first member is then brought into engagement with the support member, with the head being introduced through the larger portion of the hole. Thereafter, the first member is displaced along the outer surface of the support member so that the head grips behind the edge of the hole, and the shank enters the smaller portion thereof. Now, the threaded fastener can be tightened in that the tool engages the end of the shank. When tightened the head of the fastener engages the inner side of the sheet material of the support member. It is understood that the threading movement at the end of the shank is opposite to that at the end of the head. As most screw drivers normally are turning right-hand, it is recommended according to an embodiment of the invention to provide the threaded shank with a left hand thread. For the pre-assembling in this case a driver is necessary which turns left hand.
If as explained above a protruding of the fastener is not desired it must be taken care that sufficient space is provided for the engagement of the driver. If an insert is used the space between the shank and the wall of the bore is automatically larger. If, however, the fastener is directly threaded into the bore, the bore preferably has an enlarged portion at the end opposite to the fastener head so as to allow engagement of the screw driver.
The hole in the support member preferably has the shape of a keyhole with the smaller portion being below the larger one.
The fastener assembly according to the invention allows a pre-assembling of the first member with the threaded fastener so that the final assembling can be carried out within the shortest time. The portion of the shank which is free of a thread adjacent to the head thus cannot be damaged which would not allow an assembling or a threading. For example, the fastener shank can have a clearance with respect to the wall of the hole in order to allow the precise positioning of the member. The fastener assembly according to the invention for example allows the attachment of the housing of an airbag sensor to the column such that unnecessarily protruding parts are avoided. The fastener assembly according to the invention is extremely simple in structure. A simple threaded fastener is used only having the particularity that the end of the shank is provided with engagement surfaces for a tool. A nut which normally is used for the screw attachment is not necessary.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4104446 (1978-08-01), Johnson
patent: 4753560 (1988-06-01), Ryder
patent: 5080188 (1992-01-01), Okuhara et al.
patent: 5143331 (1992-09-01), Robert
patent: 5356254 (1994-10-01), DiMaio et al.
patent: 5451074 (1995-09-01), Guitarini
patent: 5730465 (1998-03-01), Barton et al.
patent: 0007397 (1980-02-01), None
patent: 1567050 (1980-05-01), None
Brehmer Lothar
Jakob Andreas
Browne Lynne H.
Garcia Ernesto
ITW-Automotive Products GmbH & Company KG
Schwartz & Weinrieb
LandOfFree
Fastening assembly for fastening a first member to a second... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fastening assembly for fastening a first member to a second..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fastening assembly for fastening a first member to a second... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2550688