Methods and apparatus for fastening panels

Abstract

An apparatus for coupling a panel to a frame includes: a support plate coupled to the panel; an engagement plate extending transversely from the support plate and having an aperture extending therethrough; and a clip having a pivotable arm extending from the support plate at a first end, and at least partially under the aperture to a second end, wherein the plate, aperture and clip are sized and shaped to slideably receive a head and shaft of a mating fastener, coupled to the frame, toward the support plate such that the second end of the pivotable arm engages the head when the shaft is fully received in the aperture.

1 . A fastening element for coupling a panel to a frame, comprising: 
 a support plate coupled to the panel;    an engagement plate extending transversely from the support plate and having an aperture extending therethrough; and    a clip having a pivotable arm extending from the support plate at a first end, and at least partially under the aperture to a second end,    wherein the plate, aperture and clip are sized and shaped to slideably receive a head and shaft of a mating fastener, coupled to the frame, toward the support plate such that the second end of the pivotable arm engages the head when the shaft is fully received in the aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The fastening element of  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes an angle snap at the second end thereof, the angle snap being operable to retain the head of the mating fastener after it is received in the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The fastening element of  claim 2 , wherein the angle snap includes a sloping surface from the second end of the clip toward the engagement plate for slideably engaging the head of the mating fastener and pivoting the clip away from the aperture during insertion thereof toward the support plate.  
   
   
       4 . The fastening element of  claim 3 , wherein the angle snap includes a hook element adjacent to the sloping surface, the hook element being operable to retain the mating fastener within the aperture when the head thereof slides off of the sloping surface toward the support plate and the clip pivots back toward the engagement plate.  
   
   
       5 . The fastening element of  claim 4 , wherein the hook element includes a surface extending transversely from the pivotable arm of the clip substantially toward the engagement plate, the surface of the hook element engaging the head of the mating fastener to retain same in the aperture.  
   
   
       6 . The fastening element of  claim 1 , wherein engagement plate includes a slot extending from a leading edge thereof to the aperture, the slot including inwardly directed side surfaces operable to guide the head and shaft of the mating fastener toward the support plate and into the aperture.  
   
   
       7 . The fastening element of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the clip is positioned proximate to the slot.  
   
   
       8 . The fastening element of  claim 7 , wherein the second end of the clip extends past the leading edge of the engagement plate.  
   
   
       9 . The fastening element of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the clip includes a sloping surface from the second end of the clip toward the engagement plate for slideably engaging the head of the mating fastener and pivoting the clip away from the engagement plate during insertion thereof toward the support plate; and    the sloping surface of the clip and the inwardly directed side surfaces of the slot define a conical guide feature that guides the head and shaft of the mating fastener into the aperture.    
   
   
       10 . The fastening element of  claim 9 , wherein an apex of the conical guide feature is positioned opposite the leading edge of the engagement surface.  
   
   
       11 . The fastening element of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one guide rib positioned laterally with respect to the clip to prevent the head from applying excessive pressure on the clip.  
   
   
       12 . The fastening element of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of: 
 the at least one guide rib includes a respective guide rib disposed on opposite sides of the aperture; and    each guide rib includes at least a portion of a surface sloping toward the engagement plate to guide the head and shaft of the mating fastener into the aperture.    
   
   
       13 . The fastening element of  claim 11 , wherein the support plate is an integral part of the panel.  
   
   
       14 . A fastening element for coupling a panel to a frame, comprising: 
 an engagement plate coupled to, and extending substantially parallel to, the panel, the engagement plate having an aperture extending therethrough which is oriented transversely to the panel, and a slot extending from a leading edge of the engagement plate to the aperture; and    at least one guide rib disposed below the engagement plate and having at least a portion of a surface sloping toward the engagement plate to guide a head and shaft of a mating fastener into the aperture.    
   
   
       15 . A method of fastening a panel to a frame, comprising: 
 coupling an engagement plate substantially parallel to the panel, the engagement plate having an aperture extending therethrough which is oriented transversely to the panel, and a slot extending from a leading edge of the engagement plate to the aperture, the slot including inwardly directed side surfaces operable to guide a head and shaft of a mating fastener, of the frame, into the aperture;    providing a clip having a pivotable arm extending from a first end at least partially under the aperture and at least toward the leading edge of the engagement plate to a second end;    slideably receiving the head and shaft of the mating fastener into the aperture; and    preventing the head and shaft of the mating fastener from sliding out of the aperture through the slot using the clip in tension.