IP Library Granted Patent US 8,033,703
Granted Patent B2
US 8,033,703 · App. 12/234,872 · Granted Oct 11, 2011

Ratcheting fastener for lamp attachment

Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,033,703
App. No.
12/234,872
Granted
Oct 11, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fastener for a vehicle includes a fastener head. A lamp stalk extends in a first direction from the fastener head, and a vehicle stalk extending in a second direction from the fastener head. The lamp stalk includes a plurality of protruding rings and the vehicle stalk includes a threaded engagement portion.

Claims (33)

1. A fastener system for a lamp assembly in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a fastener head;

a lamp stalk extending in a first direction from the fastener head, wherein the lamp stalk includes a plurality of protruding rings;

a vehicle stalk extending in a second direction from the fastener head, wherein the vehicle stalk includes a threaded engagement portion; and

wherein the vehicle has a vehicle body defining a vehicle receiving cavity and at least one vehicle ring; and wherein the threaded engagement portion is engaged by the at least one vehicle ring located within the vehicle receiving cavity; and

wherein the lamp assembly defines a plurality of annular grooves, wherein the plurality of protruding rings on the lamp stalk engage the annular grooves of the lamp assembly to secure the lamp stalk within the lamp assembly, and wherein the fastener head is configured to facilitate the threaded engagement portion being selectively screwed into and unscrewed from the at least one vehicle ring.

2. The fastener system of claim 1 , further comprising a vehicle alignment portion located on the vehicle stalk, wherein the vehicle alignment portion is tapered toward an end of the vehicle stalk.

3. The fastener system of claim 1 , wherein the fastener head defines a first surface, the lamp stalk extending perpendicular to the first surface; and wherein the fastener head defines a second surface, substantially parallel to the first surface and the vehicle stalk extends from the second surface in the second direction, opposing the first direction.

4. The fastener of claim 3 , wherein the first surface is touching the lamp assembly to provide a positive stop when the fastener is assembled within the lamp assembly and wherein the second surface is touching the vehicle body to provide a positive stop when the fastener is assembled within the vehicle.

5. The fastener system of claim 1 , wherein the lamp stalk is receivable in a lamp assembly and the plurality of protruding rings engage the lamp assembly to secure the lamp stalk within the lamp assembly.

6. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body defining a vehicle receiving cavity and at least one inwardly protruding vehicle ring within the vehicle receiving cavity;

a lamp assembly;

a fastener defining a fastener head;

a lamp stalk extending in a first direction from the fastener head, wherein the lamp stalk includes a plurality of protruding rings; and

a vehicle stalk extending in a second direction from the fastener head, wherein the vehicle stalk includes a threaded engagement portion to engage the at least one vehicle ring;

wherein the lamp assembly defines a plurality of annular grooves, and wherein the plurality of protruding rings on the lamp stalk engage the annular grooves of the lamp assembly to secure the lamp stalk within the lamp assembly;

wherein the fastener head defines a first surface which forms a positive stop for the lamp assembly when the lamp assembly is attached to the lamp stalk, the lamp stalk extending perpendicular to the first surface and wherein the fastener head defines a second surface, parallel to the first surface and the vehicle stalk extends from the second surface in the second direction, opposing the first direction; and

wherein the fastener head is configured to facilitate the threaded engagement portion being selectively screwed into and unscrewed from the at least one vehicle ring.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , further comprising a vehicle alignment portion located on the vehicle stalk, wherein the vehicle alignment portion is tapered toward an end of the vehicle stalk.

8. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the lamp stalk is receivable in the lamp assembly and the plurality of protruding rings engage the lamp assembly to secure the lamp stalk within the lamp assembly.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the first surface is touching a lamp assembly to provide a positive stop when the fastener is assembled within the lamp assembly and wherein the second surface is touching the vehicle body to provide a positive stop when the fastener is assembled within the vehicle.

10. A lamp assembly in a vehicle, the lamp assembly comprising:

a lamp housing; and

a fastener attached to the lamp housing, wherein the fastener defines a fastener head and a vehicle stalk extending from the fastener head, wherein the vehicle stalk includes a threaded engagement portion;

wherein the vehicle has a vehicle body defining a vehicle receiving cavity and at least one vehicle ring; and wherein the threaded engagement portion is engaged by the at least one vehicle ring located within the vehicle receiving cavity;

wherein the lamp stalk is receivable in the lamp assembly and the plurality of protruding rings engage the lamp assembly to secure the lamp stalk within the lamp assembly;

wherein the lamp assembly defines a plurality of annular grooves, and wherein the plurality of protruding rings on the lamp stalk engage the annular grooves of the lamp assembly to secure the lamp stalk within the lamp assembly; and

wherein the fastener head is configured to facilitate the threaded engagement portion being selectively screwed into and unscrewed from the at least one vehicle ring.

11. The lamp assembly of claim 10 , wherein the fastener further comprises a vehicle alignment portion located on vehicle stalk, wherein the vehicle alignment portion is tapered toward an end of the vehicle stalk.

12. The lamp assembly of claim 10 , wherein the fastener head defines a first surface, and a lamp stalk extending perpendicular to the first surface and wherein the fastener head defines a second surface parallel to the first surface and the vehicle stalk extends from the second surface in a second direction, opposing the first direction.

13. The lamp assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first surface is touching the lamp assembly to provide a positive stop when the fastener is assembled within the lamp assembly and wherein the second surface is touching the vehicle body to provide a positive stop when the fastener is assembled within the vehicle.

14. The lamp assembly of claim 10 , wherein the lamp stalk is receivable in the lamp assembly and the plurality of protruding rings engage the lamp assembly to secure the lamp stalk within the lamp assembly.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034384/0758 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0211 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0515 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0237 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0313 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023126/0914 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023155/0769 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022554/0538 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0363 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2008
From: BRYCE, RODNEY R.; GORDON, GREGORY G.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021580/0153 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100073952A1 · Mar 25, 2010