Injection molded rivet-style fastener and housing with snap assembly functionality along with an injection molding process for producing such a rivet without an undercut feature

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fastener assembly having an engaging portion with a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range. The stem includes a solid end most extending portion. A receiving portion is provided with an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between the rim edge being less than a diameter of an inserting portion of the stem. Upon forcible passage of the solid end of the fastener past the narrowed rim edge, an intermediate hollowed interior portion of the stem aligning with the narrowed rim edge and exhibiting a controlled collapse against said rim edge in order to anchor the portions together.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A fastener assembly, comprising:
 an engaging portion having a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range, said stem including a solid end most extending portion; and   a receiving portion having a surface, within which is configured an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between said rim edge being less than a diameter of an inserting portion of said stem so that, upon pre-passage of said solid most extending portion, an intermediate hollowed interior portion exhibiting a controlled collapse against said rim edge.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said stern having a circular exterior cross sectional profile. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said stem having a polygonal exterior cross sectional profile. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said inner rim defined edge further comprising a chamfered shape terminating in a narrowed rim profile. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , said inner rim defined edge further comprising an annular inner profile equal in dimension to that of said receiving portion. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , further comprising said exterior cross sectional profile of said stem and said inner rim defined edge defining matching profiles. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , further comprising said exterior cross sectional profile of said stem and said inner rim defined edge defining varying profiles. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly as described in  claim 1 , further comprising said upper and lower engaging portions exhibiting any dimensional shape, 
     
     
         9 . The assembly as described in  claim 8 , said upper and lower engaging portions further collectively comprising an open or enclosing three dimensional housing. 
     
     
         10 . A fastener assembly, comprising:
 an engaging portion having a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed between an upper edge and a solid end most extending portion;   a receiving portion having a surface within which is configured an inner rim edge; and   a diameter of an aperture defined by said rim edge being less than a diameter of an inserting portion of said stem so that, upon pre-passage of said solid most extending portion, an intermediate hollowed interior portion exhibiting a controlled collapse against said rim edge to affix said engaging portion to said receiving portion.   
     
     
         11 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , said engaging portions each further comprising a rivet with an annular enlarge head in communication with said stem. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , further comprising said engaging and receiving portions being integrated into first and second locations of a three dimensional structural article. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , said stem having a circular exterior cross sectional profile. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , said stem having a polygonal exterior cross sectional profile. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , said inner rim edge further comprising a chamfered shape terminating in a narrowed rim profile. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , said inner rim edge further comprising an annular inner profile equal in dimension to that of said receiving portion, 
     
     
         17 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , further comprising said exterior cross sectional profile of said stein and said inner rim edge defining matching profiles. 
     
     
         18 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , further comprising said exterior cross sectional profile of said stem and said inner rim edge defining varying profiles. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener assembly as described in  claim 10 , further comprising said upper and lower engaging portions exhibiting any dimensional shape. 
     
     
         20 . A fastener assembly, comprising:
 an engaging portion having a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed between and upper edge and a solid end most extending portion;   a receiving portion having a surface within which is configured an inner rim edge, said inner rim edge further having a chamfered shape terminating in a narrowed rim profile; and   a diameter of an aperture defined by said rim edge being less than a diameter of an inserting portion of said stem so that, upon pre-passage of said solid most extending portion, an intermediate hollowed interior portion exhibiting a controlled collapse against said rim edge to affix said engaging portion to said receiving portion.