IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,305,689
Granted Patent B2
US 12,305,689 · App. 18/128,904 · Granted May 20, 2025

Isolating blind hole fastener

Inventors: Chad M. Clark (Stamping Ground, KY); Mark O. Lepper (Oak Park, IL)
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
F16B37/14F16B2/20F16B2/241F16B21/125F16B21/075
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,305,689
App. No.
18/128,904
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described is an isolating fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a blind hole of a second component. The isolating fastener assembly includes a clip and an isolating cap. The clip having a retaining head portion and a body portion. The body portion including a pair of legs spaced apart and flexibly connected to one another at the retaining head portion to define a channel. The isolating cap having a pair of guides. Each guide having a fastener-retention feature to engage and retain the clip.

Claims (30)

1. An isolating fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a hole component of a second component, the isolating fastener assembly comprising:

a clip having a retaining head portion and a body portion, wherein the body portion includes a pair of legs spaced apart and flexibly connected to one another at the retaining head portion to define a channel; and

an isolating cap, wherein the isolating cap comprises a pair of guides extending away from an underside surface of the isolating cap, each of said pair of guides having a fastener-retention feature configured to engage and retain the clip via one of the pair of legs.

2. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the isolating cap is a plastic component.

3. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 2 , wherein the clip is a stamped-metal component.

4. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the isolating cap comprises one or more torque interface features formed on a surface thereof and configured to engage the retaining head portion.

5. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 4 , wherein the one or more torque interface features are sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the retaining head portion.

6. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the isolating cap comprises a twist-removal handle to enable a user to remove the isolating fastener assembly from the hole component via a twist-and-pull motion.

7. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of pair of legs comprises an aperture formed therein and configured to receive the fastener-retention feature of a respective one of said pair of guides.

8. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of pair of legs comprises a retaining tab having a first portion configured to engage the hole component and a second portion that serves as a lead-in feature.

9. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of pair of legs comprises a retaining tab having a first portion that extends outwardly away from the channel and a second portion that extends inwardly toward the channel.

10. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pair of guides is configured to pass through an opening in the first component.

11. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the isolating cap is configured to electrically isolate the clip.

12. An isolating fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a hole component of a second component, the isolating fastener assembly comprising:

a stamped-metal clip having a retaining head portion and a body portion, wherein the body portion includes a pair of legs spaced apart and flexibly connected to one another at the retaining head portion to define a channel; and

a plastic isolating cap, wherein the plastic isolating cap comprises a pair of guides extending away from an underside surface of the isolating cap to engage the stamped-metal clip, wherein the plastic isolating cap comprises one or more torque interface features formed on a surface thereof and configured to engage the retaining head portion.

13. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of said pair of guides having a fastener-retention feature configured to engage and retain the stamped-metal clip.

14. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 13 , wherein each of pair of legs comprises an aperture formed therein and configured to receive the fastener-retention feature of a respective one of said pair of guides.

15. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 12 , wherein the plastic isolating cap comprises a twist-removal handle to enable a user to remove the isolating fastener assembly from the hole component via a twist-and-pull motion.

16. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of pair of legs comprises a retaining tab having a first portion configured to engage the hole component and a second portion that serves as a lead-in feature.

17. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of pair of legs comprises a retaining tab having a first portion that extends outwardly away from the channel and a second portion that extends inwardly toward the channel.

18. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 12 , wherein the pair of guides is configured to pass through an opening in the first component.

19. An isolating fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a hole component of a second component, the isolating fastener assembly comprising:

a stamped-metal clip having a retaining head portion and a body portion,

wherein the body portion includes a pair of legs spaced apart and flexibly connected to one another at the retaining head portion to define a channel,

wherein each of pair of legs comprises an aperture formed therein; and

a plastic isolating cap,

wherein the plastic isolating cap comprises a pair of guides extending away from an underside surface of the isolating cap, each of the pair of guides having a fastener-retention feature configured to engage and retain the stamped-metal clip via the aperture, and

wherein the plastic isolating cap comprises one or more torque interface features formed on a surface thereof that are sized and shaped to receive and engage at least a portion of the retaining head portion.

20. The isolating fastener assembly of claim 19 , wherein each of pair of legs comprises a retaining tab having a first portion configured to engage the hole component and a second portion that serves as a lead-in feature.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2024
From: CLARK, CHAD M.; LEPPER, MARK O.
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 067602/0927 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63327396 · Apr 5, 2022
Related Publication 20230313827A1 · Oct 5, 2023
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