Fastening assemblies and components thereof

Abstract

A fastening assembly is provided. The fastening assembly includes provision for a stud to be positioned in a plurality of predetermined extended positions, minimizing the amount of clearance required for removing a cover from a substructure.

1 . A fastening assembly, comprising: 
 a stud assembly including a stud, a first sleeve that is matingly engageable with a second sleeve, the second sleeve including an inwardly disposed channel for receiving a substantially circular retaining ring, the retaining ring including two oppositely disposed tabs protruding toward the center of the retaining ring; and    a receptacle assembly including a bracket constructed and arranged to be secured to a panel, an internally threaded nut, a retaining clamp for securing the nut in the bracket, and a coil constructed and arranged to be threaded into the nut, the bracket including a substantially planar upper portion with a collar extending from the upper portion and defining a bore for receiving the stud therethrough;    wherein the stud includes a base, a head, and a shank disposed therebetween, the shank including an exterior surface having a threaded section and a substantially smooth section adjacent the head end, the exterior surface including at least two longitudinal channels positioned opposite one another and extending from the base end into the substantially smooth section, each channel including an inner surface and opposing sidewalls substantially perpendicular to the inner surface, and each channel including at least two oppositely disposed engagement members for engaging the tabs of the retaining ring.    
   
   
       2 . The fastening assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two engagement members are defined by a plurality of lobes protruding from the interior surface of the channel between the at least two engagement members and between the sidewalls of the channels.  
   
   
       3 . The fastening assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two engagement members are defined by a plurality of ribs protruding from the interior surface of the channel between each of the engagement members and between the sidewalls of the channels.  
   
   
       4 . The fastening assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internally threaded nut includes a substantially planar portion and a sleeve extending from a lower surface of the substantially planar portion, and a plurality of channels extending from the substantially planar portion to a base end of the sleeve.  
   
   
       5 . The fastening assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the nut has a substantially cylindrical external surface.  
   
   
       6 . The fastening assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the nut has a substantially hexagonal external surface and the channels are disposed at the corners of the hexagon.  
   
   
       7 . The fastening assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar portion of the bracket includes a first projecting portion.  
   
   
       8 . The fastening assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the bracket includes two opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the substantially planar portion.  
   
   
       9 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each sidewall includes at least one slot for receiving an engaging portion of the retaining clamp.  
   
   
       10 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each sidewall includes a sidewall extension.  
   
   
       11 . The fastening assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one slot is disposed on the sidewall extension.  
   
   
       12 . The fastening assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the bracket includes two oppositely disposed tabs positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the planar portion.  
   
   
       13 . The fastening assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the oppositely disposed tabs extends from the opposing sidewalls.  
   
   
       14 . The fastening assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first projecting portion includes a bore for receiving a fastening device for securing the bracket to a panel.  
   
   
       15 . The fastening assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the engaging portion of the retaining clamp is an end of the retaining clamp.  
   
   
       16 . The fastening assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the substantially planar portion includes a second projecting portion opposite the first projecting portion.  
   
   
       17 . The fastening assembly of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second projecting portions include a bore for receiving a fastening device for securing the bracket to a panel.  
   
   
       18 . The fastening assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a recessed region disposed in an upper surface of the substantially planar portion.  
   
   
       19 . The fastening assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the substantially planar upper portion of the nut is configured and dimensioned to be received in the recessed region of the bracket.  
   
   
       20 . The fastening assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the bracket includes a cover extending from an underside of the substantially planar portion.  
   
   
       21 . The fastening assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the cover is integrally formed with the bracket.  
   
   
       22 . A fastening assembly, comprising: 
 a stud assembly including a stud, a first sleeve that is matingly engageable with a second sleeve, the second sleeve including an inwardly disposed channel for receiving a substantially circular retaining ring, the retaining ring including two oppositely disposed tabs protruding toward the center of the retaining ring; and    a receptacle assembly including a bracket constructed and arranged to be secured to a panel, an internally threaded nut, a retaining clamp for securing the nut in the bracket, and a coil constructed and arranged to be threaded into the nut, the bracket including a substantially planar upper portion with a collar extending upwardly from an upper surface of the upper portion, the collar defining a bore for receiving the stud therethrough, the substantially planar upper portion further including at least one bore for receiving a fastener therethrough for attaching the bracket to a cover;    wherein the internally threaded nut includes a substantially planar support and a body portion having an outer surface, an upper end adjacent the substantially planar support, and a lower end distal the substantially planar support, the body portion including a plurality of flanges defined by a plurality of spaced apart channels.    
   
   
       23 - 40 . (canceled)  
   
   
       41 . A fastening assembly, comprising: 
 a stud assembly including a stud, a first sleeve that is matingly engageable with a second sleeve, the second sleeve including an inwardly disposed channel for receiving a substantially circular retaining ring, the retaining ring including two oppositely disposed tabs protruding toward the center of the retaining ring; and    a receptacle assembly including a bracket constructed and arranged to be secured to a panel, an internally threaded nut, a retaining clamp for securing the nut in the bracket, and a coil constructed and arranged to be threaded into the nut, the bracket including a substantially planar upper portion with a collar extending upwardly from an upper surface of the upper portion, the collar defining a bore for receiving the stud therethrough, the substantially planar upper portion further including a bore for receiving a fastener therethrough for attaching the bracket to a cover;    wherein the bracket includes two opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the substantially planar portion, two oppositely disposed tabs extending from the sidewall and positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the planar portion, each sidewall including a sidewall extension with at least one slot for receiving an engaging portion of the retaining clamp.    
   
   
       42 - 46 . (canceled)