Fastener assembly associated with a mounting surface of such as an electronic control module or battery tray, the mounting surface incorporating a flexural and three dimensional configured receiving aperture profile for reliably seating and retaining an associated mounting fastener with low insertion force in comparison to higher extraction force and with minimal loss of material
View Patent ↗A retaining feature incorporated into a mounting surface of a plasticized article which is adapted to receive and retain a fastener prior to final assembly. The retaining feature exhibits an irregular and three dimensional shaped closed profile defined along an interior perimeter configured within the mounting surface and which establishes a degree of flex or bend upon insertion of the fastener with minimal loss of material. The insertion force can be any of lesser, equal to or greater than the extraction force, in combination with providing a rated side load breaking/shearing strength of the bolt from the material defined retaining feature.
1. A retaining feature integrated into a mounting layer of a plasticized article, the article having a length, width and thickness with an upper surface and a lower surface, the retaining feature is adapted to receive and retain an exteriorly threaded fastener prior to a final assembly of the plasticized article, said retaining feature comprising:
the plasticized article having an inner perimeter defining an aperture within the mounting layer;
a series of interconnecting surfaces integrated into said inner perimeter visible from the upper surface, and including outwardly recessed undulating portions alternating with inwardly projecting portions, said inwardly projecting portions each having a tapering thickness in at least one of radial and axial directions as well as tapered inwardly from the upper surface, each projecting portion flexing upon through engagement of the fastener;
the lower surface of said mounting layer defining a perimeter depression which is concave in cross section and extending outwardly from said inner perimeter, said inner perimeter visible from the lower surface including a plurality of arcuate interconnecting surfaces which, upon installation of the fastener, flexes outwardly; and
the fastener establishing a first insertion force and a second resistance to extraction force.
2. The retaining feature as described in claim 1 , said insertion force being any of lesser, equal to or greater than said extraction force, in combination with respectable side load breaking/shearing strength of the bolt from the material defined retaining feature.
3. The retaining feature as described in claim 1 , further comprising said extraction force being set at a threshold minimum.
4. The retaining feature as described in claim 1 , the plasticized article having a specified shape and size not limited to a battery tray or electronic control module.
5. An assembly for mounting a first plasticized article to a second article, the first article having a length, width and thickness with an upper surface and a lower surface, the assembly comprising:
the first article having a mounting layer integrating a retaining feature;
a fastener pre-inserted through an aperture defined by an inner perimeter of said retaining feature and prior to final assembly;
said retaining feature further including a series of interconnecting and closed profile surfaces defining said aperture and, as visible from the upper surface, including outwardly recessed undulating portions alternating with inwardly projecting portions, said inwardly projecting portions each having a tapering thickness in at least one of radial and axial directions as well as tapered inwardly from the upper surface, each projecting portion flexing upon contact with an inserting stem portion of said fastener;
the lower surface of said mounting layer defining a perimeter depression which is concave in cross section and extending outwardly from said inner perimeter, said inner perimeter visible from the lower surface including a plurality of arcuate interconnecting surfaces which, upon installation of the fastener, flexes outwardly; and
a further engagement aperture formed in the further article, the fastener being engaged through the aligning apertures and deflecting outwardly the tapered portions establishing a first insertion force and a second resistance to extraction force.
6. The assembly as described in claim 5 , further comprising said plasticized article having a specified shape and size and not limited to a battery tray or electronic control module.
7. A retaining feature integrated into a mounting layer of a plasticized article, the article having a length, width and thickness with an upper surface and a lower surface, the retaining feature is adapted to receive and retain an exteriorly threaded fastener prior to a final assembly of the plasticized article, said retaining feature comprising:
the plasticized article having an inner perimeter defining an aperture within the mounting layer;
a series of interconnecting surfaces integrated into said inner perimeter, visible from the upper surface, and including outwardly recessed undulating portions alternating with inwardly projecting portions, said inwardly projecting portions each having a tapering thickness in each of radial and axial directions as well as tapered inwardly from the upper surface;
the lower surface of said mounting layer defining a perimeter depression which is concave in cross section and extending outwardly from said inner perimeter, said inner perimeter visible from the lower surface including a plurality of arcuate interconnecting surfaces which, upon installation of the fastener, flexes outwardly; and
the fastener, establishing a first insertion force and a second resistance to extraction force.