Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure – Nut – and means to engage substructure on its opposite faces...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-13
2001-06-12
Saether, Flemming (Department: 3627)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure
Nut, and means to engage substructure on its opposite faces...
C411S369000, C411S508000, C411S900000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244805
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a grommet with an integrated elastomeric seal and nose cone to prevent water ingress. Multishot molding is typically used to form the grommet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, grommets frequently do not provide adequate sealing against moisture ingress. While a separate washer element is frequently used in conjunction with a grommet to provide for some sealing, this frequently does not provide for adequate sealing. This is additionally deficient in that the washer is a separate element thereby increasing installation expenses. Additionally, the packaging and shipping of a separate grommet and washer can be problematic in that the washer can become detached from the grommet in transit.
The locating of some prior art grommets in the panel cutouts has similarly been deficient.
Combination winged grommets and washers further have the deficiency of having a reduced pull-out retention.
Moreover, many prior art grommets, particularly in combination with separate washers, may lack an aesthetic appearance and further may have a screw point or tip protruding from the grommet which can cause a physical injury.
Some examples of prior art grommets include U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,225 entitled “Synthetic Resin Grommet” issued on Mar. 15, 1994 to Kazino et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,500 entitled “Enclosed Plastic Screw Grommet” issued on Nov. 20, 1990 to Benoit et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,314 entitled “Screw Fastener” issued on Aug. 14, 1990 to Kurosaki; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,373 entitled “Grommet Type Fastener” issued on Oct. 31, 1972 on Wronke et al.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a grommet which at least substantially reduces moisture ingress subsequent to installation.
It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a grommet which does not require a separate washer element.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a grommet which has a high pull out retention.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a grommet which has increased aesthetics.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a grommet with reduced exposed sharp edges.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a grommet which can be easily located in a panel cutout.
It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a grommet with reduced manufacturing, shipping and installation costs.
These and other objects are attained by providing a grommet with a nylon body with an integral elastomeric seal and nose cone formed thereon by multi-shot core injection molding. The integral washer provides full sealing against moisture ingress while eliminating a separate washer component. Similarly, the integral elastomeric nose cone surrounds and seals the screw aperture. However, an exposed nylon surface provides durability during insertion into a panel and rigid retention.
The exposed upper surface of the grommet has a countersunk-type structure to guide the screw during installation.
The use of core injection molded techniques eliminates assembly and subcontract processes, such as foam washer manufacture, thereby reducing production costs for the grommet.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2788047 (1957-04-01), Rapata
patent: 3082807 (1963-03-01), Tinnerman
patent: 3221572 (1965-12-01), Swick
patent: 3534797 (1970-10-01), Reinhard
patent: 3701373 (1972-10-01), Wronke et al.
patent: 4743152 (1988-05-01), Nakayama et al.
patent: 4818164 (1989-04-01), Kazyak
patent: 4840522 (1989-06-01), Kurihara
patent: 4948314 (1990-08-01), Kurosaki
patent: 4971500 (1990-11-01), Benoit et al.
patent: 5165833 (1992-11-01), Watanabe
patent: 5222852 (1993-06-01), Snyder
patent: 5294225 (1994-03-01), Kazino et al.
patent: 5573362 (1996-11-01), Asami et al.
patent: 5649783 (1997-07-01), Ichikawa et al.
patent: 6039523 (2000-03-01), Kraus
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Pitney Hardin Kipp & Szuch LLP
Saether Flemming
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