LOCKING SNAP-IN FASTENERS

• Main Authors: COLOSI, Anthony, BENTRIM, Brian, MARSHALL, Nicholas
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 13.03.2024
• Subjects: BLASTING; BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE; DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS ORMACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS,CLIPS, WEDGES, JOINTS OR JOINTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GARMENT FASTENINGS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HABERDASHERY; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; JEWELLERY; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; SUSPENDERS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS; WEARING APPAREL

A fastener assembly for releasable interconnecting two objects comprises a retainer having means at the top end for attaching the retainer to a first object and an end wall at the bottom end having an aperture. A post affixed to a second object at its bottom end is captured within a central cavity of the retainer by resilient snap fit wherein either the post or the retainer is radially deflectable. A locking element slidably connected to the retainer is axially moveable between locked and unlocked positions operative to restrict the relative radial movement of the post and the retainer to prevent the removal of the post. The locking element maybe a pin moved by a magnet and extendable into a bore of the post by a spring. Alternatively, the locking element may be a sleeve closely fitted around the outside of the retainer.