IP Library Granted Patent US 12698793
Granted Patent B2
US 12698793 · App. 18/333,818 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Externally threaded clamp-on-post attachment fastener

Inventors: Michael A. Kardasz (Troy, MI); Victor Wong (Lake Orion, MI); Jeffrey Scott Shotwell (Clarkston, MI)
Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
F16B35/02B60R11/00F16B35/06F16B37/0864B60R2011/0043F16B2/065
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12698793
App. No.
18/333,818
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A clamp-on-post fastener includes a base section and a sleeve section including a first end connected with the base section, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a center axis extending between the first end and the second end. The sleeve section includes an outer surface, a central passage having an inner surface, and a plurality of tooth members that project radially inwardly from the inner surface. The clamp-on-post fastener includes a slot extending through the base section and the sleeve section substantially parallel to the center axis forming a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion that are configured to be brought together to engage a substrate.

Claims (59)

1 . A clamp-on-post fastener comprising:

a base section; and

a sleeve section including a first end connected with the base section, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a center axis extending between the first end and the second end,

wherein the sleeve section includes an outer surface, a central passage having an inner surface, and a plurality of tooth members that project radially inwardly from the inner surface,

wherein the clamp-on-post fastener includes a slot extending through the base section and the sleeve section substantially parallel to the center axis forming a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion that are configured to be brought together to engage a first component,

wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of threads, and

wherein the plurality of tooth members are arranged between the base section and the plurality of threads.

2 . The clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the base section includes an annular rim supporting a plurality of tooth elements.

3 . A vehicle comprising:

the clamp-on-post fastener of claim 1 ;

a body defining a passenger compartment; and

a component system secured to the body, the component system including the first component and a second component,

wherein the first component includes a post having an outer annular surface and the second component includes an opening that receives the post.

4 . The vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the base section includes an annular rim supporting a plurality of tooth elements.

5 . A method of fastening vehicle components using the clamp-on-post fastener of claim 1 , the method comprising:

supporting a first vehicle component having a post;

positioning a second vehicle component having an opening over the first vehicle component;

passing the post of the first vehicle component through the opening of the second vehicle component;

positioning the sleeve section of the clamp-on-post fastener over the post;

engaging a fastener onto the sleeve section of the clamp-on-post fastener; and

clamping the clamp-on-post fastener to the post by tightening the fastener.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein securing the clamp-on-post fastener to the post includes engaging the plurality of tooth elements formed on the inner surface of the sleeve section with an outer surface of the post.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein engaging the fastener onto the sleeve section of the clamp-on-post fastener includes threading the fastener onto threads formed on the sleeve section.

8 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

determining that a failure exists in the clamp-on-post fastener;

removing the clamp-on-post fastener from the post by spreading open the sleeve section; and

attaching a new clamp-on-post fastener to the post to re-secure the first vehicle component with the second vehicle component.

9 . A clamp-on-post fastener comprising:

a base section; and

a sleeve section including a first end connected with the base section, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a center axis extending between the first end and the second end,

wherein the sleeve section includes an outer surface, a central passage having an inner surface, and a plurality of tooth members that project radially inwardly from the inner surface,

wherein the clamp-on-post fastener includes a slot extending through the base section and the sleeve section substantially parallel to the center axis forming a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion that are configured to be brought together to engage a first component,

wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of threads, and

wherein each of the plurality of tooth members project radially inwardly from the outer surface toward the center axis.

10 . The clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of tooth members are arranged between the base section and the plurality of threads.

11 . The clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of tooth members include a passage that extends from the outer surface through the inner surface toward the center axis.

12 . A vehicle comprising:

the clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 9 ;

a body defining a passenger compartment; and

a component system secured to the body, the component system including the first component and a second component,

wherein the first component includes a post having an outer annular surface and the second component includes an opening that receives the post.

13 . The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of tooth members are arranged between the base section and the plurality of threads.

14 . The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of tooth members include a passage that extends from the outer surface through the inner surface toward the center axis.

15 . The clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 9 , wherein the base section includes an annular rim supporting a plurality of tooth elements.

16 . A clamp-on-post fastener comprising:

a base section; and

a sleeve section including a first end connected with the base section, a second end, and an intermediate portion defining a center axis extending between the first end and the second end,

wherein the sleeve section includes an outer surface, a central passage having an inner surface, and a plurality of tooth members that project radially inwardly from the inner surface,

wherein the clamp-on-post fastener includes a slot extending through the base section and the sleeve section substantially parallel to the center axis forming a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion that are configured to be brought together to engage a first component,

wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of threads, and

wherein the central passage includes a terminal end having a surface, the slot extends from the surface of the terminal end along the intermediate portion through the base section.

17 . The clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 16 , wherein the slot includes a first split and a second split arranged substantially parallel to the first split and the center axis, the first split and the second split extending from the surface of the terminal end along the intermediate portion through the base section.

18 . A vehicle comprising:

the clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 16 ;

a body defining a passenger compartment; and

a component system secured to the body, the component system including the first component and a second component,

wherein the first component includes a post having an outer annular surface and the second component includes an opening that receives the post.

19 . The vehicle according to claim 18 , wherein the slot includes a first split and a second split arranged substantially parallel to the first split and the center axis, the first split and the second split extending from the surface of the terminal end along the intermediate portion through the base section.

20 . The clamp-on-post fastener according to claim 16 , wherein the base section includes an annular rim supporting a plurality of tooth elements.