Fastener

Abstract

A fastening assembly includes a first plate defining a first mounting hole therein, a second plate defining a second mounting hole therein, and a fastener for pivotably attaching the first plate to the second plate. The fastener includes a pivot portion engaged with the first mounting hole of the first plate and an shaft engaged with the second mounting hole of the second plate. The pivot portion includes a first end, a second end, and a neck connecting between the first end and the second end. The shaft extends from the second end of the pivot portion. A diameter of the second end is less than that of the first end, but greater than that of the second mounting hole of the second plate.

1 . A fastener for pivotably attaching a first component defining a first mounting hole therein to a second component defining a second mounting hole therein, the fastener comprising:
 a pivot portion comprising a first end, a second end, and a neck between the first end and the second end; and   an shaft extending from the second end along an axial direction, the shaft comprising a plurality of protrusions capable of providing an interference fit with the second mounting hole;   wherein a diameter of the second end is greater than that of the neck, but less than that of the first end.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical main body extending from the second end of the pivot portion along the axial direction, the protrusions are regularly formed around the main body of the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein each two adjacent protrusions of the shaft defines a space therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein each of the protrusions comprises a sloping corner. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the shaft is substantially equivalent to the thickness of the pivot portion of the fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first component and the second component are made from thin sheet metal, and the thickness of the shaft or the pivot portion is substantially equivalent to that of the sheet metal. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the thickness of the sheet metal is 1 millimeter. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly comprising:
 a first plate defining a first mounting hole therein;   a second plate defining a second mounting hole therein; and   a fastener for pivotably attaching the first plate to the second plate, the fastener comprising a pivot portion engaged with the first mounting hole and a shaft engaged with the second mounting hole of the second plate;   
       wherein the pivot portion comprises a first end, a second end, and a neck between the first end and the second end, the shaft extends from the second end of the pivot portion, a diameter of the second end is less than that of the first end, but greater than that of the second mounting hole of the second plate. 
     
     
         9 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the neck of the pivot portion of the fastener pivotably engages with the first mounting hole of the first plate. 
     
     
         10 . The fastening assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a diameter of the first end is formed at a top of the fastener, and the first end protrudes from and abuts against a surface of the first plate. 
     
     
         11 . The fastening assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the second end is less than that of the first mounting hole, the diameter of the first end is greater than the first mounting hole. 
     
     
         12 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the, exterior surfaces of the first end and the first plate are coplanar. 
     
     
         13 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the shaft of the fastener comprises a cylindrical main body and a plurality of protrusions regularly formed around the cylindrical main body, the protrusions engage with an interior surface of the second mounting hole. 
     
     
         14 . The fastening assembly of  claim 13 , wherein a diameter of the shaft is greater than that of the second mounting hole. 
     
     
         15 . The fastening assembly of  claim 13 , wherein each of the protrusions of the shaft of the fastener comprises a sloping corner for facilitating the shaft sliding into the second mounting hole. 
     
     
         16 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first plate and the second plate are made from thin sheet metal. 
     
     
         17 . The fastening assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a thickness of the sheet metal is 1 millimeter. 
     
     
         18 . The fastening assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a thickness of the pivot portion is substantially equivalent to that of the shaft and that of the sheet metal.