Granted Patent B2

US 12,326,166 · App. 18/138,182 · Granted Jun 10, 2025

Inventors: Mark O. Lepper (Oak Park, IL); Andrea Fickert (Troy, MI)

Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.

F16B5/0642B60R13/02F16B21/071F16B21/075F16B21/086F16B37/0842

Abstract

Claims (33)

1. A combination fastener for attaching a tube to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination fastener comprising:

a carrier portion configured to retain the tube; and

a fastener portion having a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud, the fastener portion having:

a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space, wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and

a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination fastener within the opening.

2. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of legs arranged as a clip assembly.

3. The combination fastener of claim 2 , wherein the clip assembly is a “W-type” clip assembly.

4. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features includes a return arm resiliently connected to the body sidewall and configured to deflect as the as the stud passes through the hollow space.

5. The combination fastener of claim 4 , wherein each of the panel-retention features comprises a foot positioned at a distal end of the return arm.

6. The combination fastener of claim 5 , wherein the foot comprises one or more friction features.

7. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure.

8. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure via an additive manufacturing technique.

9. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein a leading end of the body sidewall is chamfered along an inner perimeter to align and guide the stud into the hollow space during assembly.

10. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein a leading end of the body sidewall is chamfered along an outer perimeter to align and guide the fastener portion into the opening during assembly.

11. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of fins arranged as a push-pin assembly.

12. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of box-prong legs arranged as a box-prong assembly.

13. The combination fastener of claim 1 , wherein the carrier portion comprises a pocket configured to retain the tube.

14. The combination fastener of claim 13 , wherein the carrier portion comprises a lid configured to secure the tube in the pocket, wherein the lid is coupled to the carrier portion via a hinge.

15. A combination tube fastener for attaching at least one tube to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination tube fastener comprising:

a carrier portion configured to retain the at least one tube, wherein the carrier portion comprises a pocket configured to retain the tube; and

a fastener portion coupled to the carrier portion and having a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud, the fastener portion having:

a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space, wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and

a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination tube fastener within the opening.

16. A combination fastener for coupling to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component, the combination fastener comprising:

a carrier portion having a lid coupled to the carrier portion via a hinge and configured to secure an object relative to the carrier portion;

a body sidewall coupled to the carrier portion that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud;

a plurality of stud-retention features resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the stud within the hollow space,

wherein each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis and are configured to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space; and

a plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall and configured to retain the combination fastener within the opening.

17. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of legs arranged as a clip assembly.

18. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of fins arranged as a push-pin assembly.

19. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of panel-retention features comprises a plurality of box-prong legs arranged as a box-prong assembly.

20. The combination fastener of claim 16 , wherein the combination fastener is fabricated as a unitary structure.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (35)