Plastic connector for connecting parts and method therefor

Abstract

The present invention is a connecting structure including a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the second end in a V-shape.

1 . A connecting structure, comprising: 
 a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end; and    a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to said first end, extending away from said post and toward said second end in a generally V-shape configuration and an abutment stop intermediate said middle portion and said second end.    
   
   
       2 . The connecting structure of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of prongs are configured to extend through an aperture and expand to a width larger than the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The connecting structure of  claim 2 , wherein said second end is adapted to be received by a coil spring that is adjacent to said second end of said post.  
   
   
       4 . A novelty system comprising: 
 a body having a plurality of apertures;    one or more appendages corresponding to said plurality of apertures and adapted to be secured to said body;    a connecting structure that secures said one or more appendages to said body comprising:    a post with a plurality of prongs flexibly coupled to a first end of said post and adapted to be inserted through said plurality of apertures and retained therein.    
   
   
       5 . The novelty of  claim 4 , wherein said one or more appendages comprises a wing-like structure.  
   
   
       6 . The novelty of  claim 5 , wherein said connecting member includes a second end configured to connect to said one or more appendages.  
   
   
       7 . The novelty of  claim 6 , wherein said one or more appendages comprise an enclosure configured to secure to said second end of said connecting member.  
   
   
       8 . The novelty of  claim 7 , wherein said connecting member is a coil spring.  
   
   
       9 . The novelty of  claim 8 , wherein said connecting member has a spring constant that allows the appendages to be freely movable under application of relatively low forces.  
   
   
       10 . A method of constructing a novelty comprising: 
 shipping, in a package, a novelty which comprises a body with apertures for receiving connecting structures, one or more appendages, and coupling structures configured to adaptively connect said appendages to said body;    unpackaging said novelty; and    securing said appendages to said body by operatively connecting said connecting structures with said apertures of said body.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said securing includes inserting said connecting structures into said apertures.  
   
   
       12 . A method for constructing a connecting connector, comprising: 
 producing a post with securing prongs;    inserting said post into a first end of a connecting member; and    coupling said post to said connecting member.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising coupling a second end of said connecting member to an appendage.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said connecting member is a coil spring.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said connecting member is generally L-shaped.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said coupling the post comprises heating said post to create a barrier such that said connecting member is not easily removable from said post.