IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,979,454
Granted Patent B2
US 8,979,454 · App. 13/081,375 · Granted Mar 17, 2015

Fastener anchor assembly

Inventors: Rich Howe (Pleasant View, UT); Danny Green (West Point, UT); Gary Phillips (Clearfield, UT)
F16B37/12F16B13/0833F16B13/0866F16B13/124F16B37/043F16B37/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,979,454
App. No.
13/081,375
Granted
Mar 17, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described herein are various embodiments of a fastener anchor assembly for securing a fastener includes a base and a recess formed in the base. The recess has a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape. The assembly further includes an insert positionable within the recess. The insert has a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding with the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the recess. Additionally, the insert includes a fastener opening and at least one flexible portion. The flexible portion flexes to engage the recess as a fastener moves through the fastener opening.

Claims (19)

1. A fastener anchor assembly for securing a fastener, comprising:

a base;

a recess formed in the base, the recess having a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape; and

an insert having a substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding with the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the recess, the insert being positionable within the recess, the insert comprising a fastener opening and at least one flexible portion, wherein the at least one flexible portion flexes to engage the recess as a fastener moves through the fastener opening;

wherein the base comprises a boss, and wherein the recess is formed in the boss, and

wherein the boss comprises a substantially conically shaped protrusion, wherein the recess comprises a substantially conically shaped portion defined by the substantially conically shaped protrusion of the boss, the conically shaped portion being configured to receive the fastener, and wherein the fastener is engageable with the substantially conically shaped protrusion of the boss.

2. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recess has a multi-lobular shape and the insert has a corresponding multi-lobular shape.

3. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible portion comprises multiple lobes, and wherein the multiple lobes are outwardly flexible away from each other.

4. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recess comprises an open end, an opposing closed end, and a sidewall extending between the open and closed ends, and wherein the sidewall diverges in a direction extending from the open end to the closed end.

5. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible portion comprises an outer surface and the recess comprises an inner surface, wherein the outer surface of the at least one flexible portion presses against the inner surface of the recess to engage the recess.

6. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises at least one lip extending about a periphery of the insert, and wherein the lip penetrates a wall of the recess to engage the recess.

7. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a substantially hollow panel defining an interior cavity, the panel comprising a boss extending into the interior cavity, and wherein the recess is formed in the boss.

8. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base and insert are made from a substantially rigid plastic material.

9. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein when positioned within the recess, the insert is prevented from rotating relative to the recess.

10. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a nut that is threadably engageable with the fastener to urge the fastener through the fastener opening.

11. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible portion comprises a plurality of lobes defining the substantially non-circular cross-sectional shape, the plurality of lobes being outwardly movable away from each other and the fastener opening.

12. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of lobes comprises at least two interconnected lobes.

13. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of lobes comprises a substantially arcuate outer periphery.

14. The fastener anchor assembly of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of lobes comprises a separate one-piece component.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61321391 · Apr 6, 2010
Related Publication 20110243683A1 · Oct 6, 2011