BR-102025012211-A2 - FIXTURE WITH ROUTING AND INDICATION

Abstract

A fastener assembly is described for attaching a second component, via a strap, to an opening in a first component. The assembly includes a locking pin and a base structure. The locking pin has a rod with a head at one end and a locking tab at the opposite end. The base structure includes an eyelet portion that defines an eyelet opening and a pair of resilient legs configured to engage the opening. The head comprises a fixed flat portion attached to the rod and at least one articulated wing portion. An installation indicator covers at least part of the fixed and wing portions. The eyelet opening receives at least part of the rod and includes a protrusion attribute that secures the locking pin in a first-mounted position. At least one leg includes a flexible resilient tab configured to retain the base structure within the opening of the first component.

Inventors

• JOEL R. LEE

Assignees

• ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

Dates

Publication Date

20260310

Application Date

20250613

Priority Date

20250610

Claims (20)

1. 1. A fastener assembly for attaching a second component by means of a strip to an opening formed in a first component, wherein the fastener assembly is CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a locking pin having a rod with a head positioned at a first end and a locking tab positioned at a second end opposite the first end, wherein the head comprises a fixed flat portion attached to the rod and at least one wing portion attached to the fixed flat portion by means of a hinge, and wherein the head further comprises an installation indicator positioned on at least one portion of the fixed flat portion and at least one wing portion; a base structure having an eyelet portion that defines an eyelet opening and a pair of legs resiliently coupled to the eyelet portion and configured to engage with the opening, wherein the eyelet opening is configured to receive at least one portion of the rod and includes a protrusion attribute configured to secure the locking pin relative to the base structure in a first assembled position, and wherein one leg of the pair of legs includes a flexible tab attribute resiliently coupled thereto and configured to retain the base structure relative to the first component through the opening.
2. 2. Fastener assembly, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the pair of legs is separated to define a central recess between them and the flexible tab attribute is configured to retract into the central recess during assembly.
3. 3. Fastener assembly for attaching a second component by means of a strip to an opening formed in a first component, wherein the fastener assembly is CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a locking pin having a rod and a head; and a base structure having an eyelet portion that defines an eyelet opening and a pair of legs resiliently coupled to the eyelet portion and configured to engage with the opening, wherein the eyelet opening is configured to receive at least one portion of the rod, wherein the pair of legs is separated to define a central recess between them, and wherein one leg of the pair of legs includes a flexible tab attribute resiliently coupled thereto and configured to retract into the central recess during assembly and to retain the base structure in relation to the first component by means of the opening.
4. 4. Fastener assembly, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the locking pin comprises a locking tab positioned on the rod at an end opposite the head.
5. 5. Fastener assembly, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the head comprises a fixed flat portion coupled to the rod and at least one wing portion coupled to the fixed flat portion by means of a hinge.
6. 6. Fastener assembly, according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the head further comprises an installation indicator positioned on at least one portion of the fixed flat portion and at least one wing portion.
7. 7. Fastener assembly, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the flexible flap attribute comprises an inclined body portion and a movable base portion that resiliently couples the flexible flap attribute to the leg.
8. 8. Fastener assembly, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the movable base portion is coupled to the leg on a surface thereof located within the central recess.
9. 9. Fastener assembly according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the inclined portion of the body is a wedge-shaped fin.
10. 10. Fastener assembly according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the installation indicator is a fiducial marker.
11. 11. Fastener assembly, according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the wing portion is movable between a first mounted position corresponding to a pre-installation position and a second mounted position corresponding to an installed position.
12. 12. Fastener assembly, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the installation indicator is a quick response (QR) code.
13. 13. Fastener assembly, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the installation indicator is a barcode.
14. 14. Fastener assembly, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the strap is a nylon cable tie or a strap.
15. 15. Fastener assembly for attaching a second component by means of a strip to an opening formed in a first component, wherein the fastener assembly is CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a locking pin having a rod with a head positioned at a first end and a locking tab positioned at a second end opposite the first end, wherein the head comprises a fixed flat portion attached to the rod and at least one wing portion attached to the fixed flat portion by means of a hinge, and wherein the head further comprises an installation indicator positioned on at least one portion of the fixed flat portion and at least one wing portion; a base structure having an eyelet portion that defines an eyelet opening and a pair of legs resiliently coupled to the eyelet portion and configured to engage with the opening, wherein the eyelet opening is configured to receive at least one portion of the rod and includes a protrusion attribute configured to secure the locking pin relative to the base structure in a first assembled position.
16. 16. Fastener assembly, according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that one leg of the pair of legs includes a flexible tab attribute resiliently coupled thereto and configured to retain the base structure relative to the first component by means of the opening.
17. 17. Fastener assembly, according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that the pair of legs is separated to define a central recess between them and the flexible tab attribute is configured to retract into the central recess during assembly.
18. 18. Fastener assembly, according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED in that the flexible flap attribute comprises an inclined body portion and a movable base portion that resiliently couples the flexible flap attribute to the leg.
19. 19. Fastener assembly, according to claim 18, CHARACTERIZED in that the movable base portion is coupled to the leg on a surface thereof located within the central recess.
20. 20. Fastener assembly according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that the installation indicator is a fiducial marker configured to be tracked by a visual quality system.

Description

RELATED REQUEST [001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/660,817, filed June 17, 2024, entitled “Trace Routing Fastener,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [002] Automotive components require fastening techniques that are simple to manufacture and assemble. Furthermore, fastening techniques must be, above all, reliable and efficient. In some cases, it is necessary to secure objects to the vehicle to prevent movement and/or displacement during operation, which can cause damage or twisting of the object. For example, pipes, hoses, wires, and other objects are frequently attached to vehicle components using fasteners. When a fastener is installed incorrectly, so that it is not fully inserted into the opening, it may come loose and/or the object being secured may be damaged or become loose. Similarly, when an object is incorrectly attached to a fastener, it may come loose from the fastener or be damaged or become loose. [003] Conventional fastening or mounting systems generally require the use of screws and heavy tools during installation on assembly lines. This not only increases the overall weight of the system, but also introduces complexity, higher labor demands, and potential delays in the manufacturing process. [004] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an installation indicator to improve the proper installation of the object in relation to the fastener and/or the fastener in relation to the first component during assembly. SUMMARY [005] The present disclosure relates generally to a fastening system for forming a connection between the first and second components, such as tubes and panels. More specifically, a fastener with an installation indicator for improving the proper installation of the object in relation to the fastener and/or of the fastener in relation to the first component during assembly, substantially as illustrated and described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more fully in the claims. DESIGNS [006] The above objects, attributes and advantages and others of the devices, systems and methods described in this document will be evident from the following description of particular examples thereof, as illustrated in the attached figures; wherein equal or similar reference numbers refer to equal or similar structures. The figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis being given instead to illustrating the principles of the devices, systems and methods described in this document. [007] Figures 1a and 1b illustrate a fastening system configured to fasten one or more second components to a first component by means of a fastener assembly having a locking pin and a base structure, according to aspects of this disclosure. [008] Figures 2a to 2c illustrate perspective views of the fastener assembly, respectively, in a disassembled position, a first assembled position and a second assembled position. [009] Figures 2d to 2f illustrate side elevation views of the fastening system, respectively, in a disassembled position (rear view), a first assembled position (rear view) and a second assembled position (front view). [010] Figures 2g and 2h illustrate side elevation cross-sectional views of the fastening system taken along the A-A cutting line (Figure 2b) during assembly. [011] Figure 2i illustrates a top plan view of the fastener assembly. [012] Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of the fastener assembly in the first mounted position. [013] Figures 3b and 3c illustrate perspective views of the fastener assembly in the first assembled position, taken along the B-B cutting line (Figure 3a) and the C-C cutting line (Figure 3a), respectively. [014] Figure 3d illustrates a perspective view of the fastener assembly in the second mounted position. [015] Figures 3e and 3f illustrate perspective views of the fastener assembly in the second mounted position, taken along the D-D cutting line (Figure 3d) and the E-E cutting line (Figure 3d), respectively. [016] Figures 4a and 4b illustrate, respectively, top and bottom perspective views of the locking pin. [017] Figures 4c to 4f illustrate, respectively, the first, second, third and fourth side elevation views of the locking pin. [018] Figures 4g and 4h illustrate, respectively, top and bottom views of the locking pin. [019] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate, respectively, top and bottom perspective views of the base structure. [020] Figures 5c to 5f illustrate, respectively, the first, second, third and fourth side elevation views of the base structure. [021] Figures 5g and 5h illustrate, respectively, top and bottom views of the base structure. [022] Figures 6a and 6b illustrate, respectively, isometric views of the fastener assembly with the first component and a visual quality system. DESCRIPTION [023] References to singular items should be understood to include plural items, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or free from the te