Multi-Angle Pop-In Mechanical Fastener

Abstract

Pop-in mechanical fasteners having at least one locking tab are described. The locking tab includes a locking surface having a plurality of angled stops.

1 . A pop-in mechanical fastener comprising a base connected to a pin comprising an insertion rim and at least one locking tab pivotally connected to the insertion rim, wherein the locking tab comprises a wing comprising an insertion surface and a locking surface comprising a first angled stop forming a first angle relative to a wing axis, and a second angled stop forming a second angle relative to the wing axis, wherein the wing axis is perpendicular to an insertion axis that is perpendicular to the base, wherein the first angle is at least 5 degrees and the second angle is greater than the first angle by at least 5 degrees. 
   
   
       2 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the wing further comprises a shoulder connecting the insertion surface to the locking surface, and a terminal stem extending from the locking surface toward the base. 
   
   
       3 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is at least 15 degrees and is no greater than 40 degrees. 
   
   
       4 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , the second angle is least 25 degrees and is no greater than 65 degrees. 
   
   
       5 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is between 20 and 30 degrees, and the second angle is between 40 and 50 degrees. 
   
   
       6 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the locking surface consists of the first angled stop and the second angled stop. 
   
   
       7 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the locking surface further comprises a step between the first angled stop and the second angled stop. 
   
   
       8 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion surface forms an insertion angle relative to the insertion axis and the insertion angle is no greater than 45 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion angle is between 20 and 25 degrees. 
   
   
       10 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the locking surface comprises third angled stop. 
   
   
       11 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises at least three tabs. 
   
   
       12 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 11 , wherein at least one tab is located on the opposite side of the stem from at least one other tab. 
   
   
       13 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising one half of a mating mechanical fastener bonded to an exposed major surface of the base opposite the pin. 
   
   
       14 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pop-in mechanical fastener comprising a base and pin, wherein the bases of the pop-in mechanical fasteners are bonded each other. 
   
   
       15 . A pop-in mechanical fastener comprising a base connected to a pin comprising an insertion rim and at least one locking tab pivotally connected to the insertion rim, wherein the locking tab comprises a wing comprising an insertion surface and a locking surface comprising an arcuate stop that is concave relative to the base. 
   
   
       16 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 15 , wherein the wing further comprises a shoulder connecting the insertion surface to the locking surface, and a terminal pin extending from the locking surface toward the base. 
   
   
       17 . The pop-in mechanical fastener of  claim 15 , wherein the locking surface further comprises as least one angled stop forming an angle relative to a wing axis, wherein the wing axis is perpendicular to an insertion axis that is perpendicular to the base. 
   
   
       18 . A method of providing a bonding location on a part comprising inserting an insertion rim of a pop-in mechanical fastener into a locking hole in the part, wherein the pop-in mechanical fastener comprises a base connected to a pin comprising the insertion rim and at least one locking tab pivotally connected to the insertion rim, wherein the locking tab comprises a wing comprising an insertion surface and a locking surface comprising a first angled stop forming a first angle relative to a wing axis, and a second angled stop forming a second angle relative to the wing axis, wherein the wing axis is perpendicular to an insertion axis that is perpendicular to the base, wherein the first angle is at least 5 degrees and the second angle is greater than the first angle by at least 5 degrees;
 pressing the pop-in mechanical fastener into the hole flexing the tab into the pin;   and further pressing the pop-in mechanical fastener into the hole until the tabs spring out from the pin and the perimeter of the hole contacts at least a portion of the locking surface of the tab.