Low-profile rivet-like fastener
A low-profile rivet-like fastener ( 10 ) is adapted to be mounted in a hole ( 19 ) provided through a wall ( 15 ). The improved fastener broadly includes: an elongated tubular body ( 11 ), a nut ( 12 ), a ring ( 13 ), and a retainer ( 14 ). The body has a front end and a rear end. A flange ( 22 ) extends outwardly from the body adjacent the front end. The body has an inwardly-extending lug ( 27 ) adjacent the body rear end. The nut ( 12 ) has a head portion ( 30 ) and a collar portion ( 31 ) extending forwardly from the head portion. The collar portion ( 31 ) has an intermediate portion passing through the lug and terminates in a marginal end portioned forwardly of the lug. The ring ( 13 ) loosely surrounds the collar marginal end portion. The retainer ( 14 ) prevents the ring from separating from the collar marginal end portion.
1. A rivet-like fastener adapted to be mounted in a hole provided through a wall, said wall having a forwardly-facing surface and an opposite rear-wardly-facing surface, said fastener comprising:
an elongated tubular body having a front end and a rear end, said body having a flange extending outwardly from said body adjacent said front end, said flange having a rearwardly-facing surface adapted to abut a marginal portion of said wall forwardly-facing surface about said hole, said body rear end having a rearwardly-facing surface, said body also having an inwardly-extending lug adjacent said body rear end, the axial extent of said lug being defined between said body rearwardly-facing surface and a forwardly-facing surface on said body;
a nut having a head portion and a collar portion extending forwardly from said head portion, said head portion having a forwardly-facing abutment surface adapted to face toward said body rearwardly-facing surface, said collar portion having an intermediate portion passing through said lug and terminating in a marginal end portion positioned forwardly of said body forwardly-facing surface;
a ring loosely surrounding said collar marginal end portion; and
a retainer associated with said collar marginal end portion for preventing said ring from separating from said collar marginal end portion; and
wherein radial space is provided between said body lug and said collar intermediate portion to permit said nut to move radially relative to said body.
2. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body rear-wardly-facing surface is annular.
3. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body forwardly-facing surface is annular.
4. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lug has an inwardly-facing polygonal surface, and wherein said collar intermediate portion has an outwardly-facing polygonal surface arranged to face toward said lug polygonal surface to prevent relative rotation between said nut and body.
5. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut has an axial through-hole.
6. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 5 wherein said nut through-hole is tapped.
7. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 6 , and further comprising:
a member having an externally-threaded marginal end portion matingly received in said tapped through-hole, and having another portion extending away from said member externally-threaded marginal end portion.
8. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 7 wherein said member other portion is externally-threaded.
9. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut has a blind hole.
10. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 9 wherein said nut blind hole is tapped.
11. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 10 , and further comprising:
a member having an externally-threaded marginal end portion matingly received in said tapped through-hole, and having another portion extending away from said member externally-threaded marginal end portion.
12. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 11 wherein said member other portion is externally-threaded.
13. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut collar portion is formed integrally with said nut head portion.
14. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein an intermediate portion of said body is adapted to be deformed plastically outwardly to engage a marginal portion of said rearwardly-facing wall surface about said hole to hold said fastener to said wall.
15. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:
a washer acting between said body second end and said nut head portion.
16. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 15 wherein said washer is formed of a resilient material.
17. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein a portion of said collar marginal end portion is deformed plastically outwardly for preventing said ring from separating from said collar marginal end portion.
18. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ring is an annular member.
19. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 18 wherein said collar portion is provided with a groove to receive a portion of said ring.
20. A rivet-like fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ring is a C-shaped member.