CN-113550965-B - Grommet ring

Abstract

A grommet having a body including a longitudinal axis and having a channel therein. The grommet further includes a neck ring and an outer cam strip. The collar extends from the body and away from the longitudinal axis. The outer cam strip extends circumferentially around the body. A plurality of openings extend through the body and the outer cam strip on diametrically opposed sides. The grommet is configured to attach within a slot of a component in any orientation.

Inventors

• Scott M. lebert

Assignees

• 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20201016

Priority Date

20200710

Claims (20)

1. 1. A grommet, comprising: a body defining a longitudinal axis and having a passage therein; A collar extending from the body and away from the longitudinal axis, and An outer cam strip extending circumferentially around the body, Wherein a plurality of openings extend through the body and the outer cam strip on several diametrically opposed sides, and wherein the grommet is configured to be attached within a slot of a component in any rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis.
2. 2. A grommet as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings are aligned with one another on diametrically opposed sides of the grommet.
3. 3. A grommet as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings extend into the channel of the body.
4. 4. A grommet as in claim 1, wherein the grommet includes four openings on each of several diametrically opposed sides of the body.
5. 5. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the outer cam strip includes an angled wall extending from the body, and wherein the angled wall extends radially outward from the body and longitudinally toward the collar.
6. 6. The grommet according to claim 5, wherein the outer cam strip further includes a top wall extending radially outwardly and downwardly from the body.
7. 7. The grommet of claim 5, wherein the outer cam strip comprises a generally frustoconical shape, and wherein a diameter of the outer cam strip increases as the outer cam strip extends upward toward the neck ring.
8. 8. A grommet as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings extend along a longitudinal direction of the grommet.
9. 9. A grommet, comprising: A body defining a longitudinal axis and having an inner wall; A collar extending from the body and away from the longitudinal axis; an outer cam strip extending partially around the body, wherein the outer cam strip is configured to curve inwardly toward the longitudinal axis, and A plurality of openings extending through the outer cam strip and the body on a number of diametrically opposed sides, wherein each of the plurality of openings is aligned with one another on the number of diametrically opposed sides of the body, Wherein the grommet is configured to attach within a non-circular slot of a component in any rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis.
10. 10. A grommet as in claim 9, wherein the body of the grommet includes windows on several diametrically opposed sides of the body.
11. 11. A grommet as in claim 10, wherein the window extends through a collar and body of the grommet.
12. 12. A grommet as in claim 9, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings includes a top section and an elongated section, wherein the top section is positioned longitudinally above the elongated section.
13. 13. A grommet as in claim 12, wherein the width of each of the top sections is wider than the width of each of the elongated sections.
14. 14. A grommet as in claim 12, wherein the top section of the opening extends to an upper end of the grommet.
15. 15. A fastening system comprising: Grommet, the grommet includes: a body defining a longitudinal axis and having a passage therein; A collar extending radially outwardly from an upper end of the body; An outer cam strip extending outwardly from the body, the outer cam strip having a generally frustoconical shape such that a diameter of the outer cam strip increases as the outer cam strip extends upwardly toward the neck ring, and A plurality of openings extending at least through the outer cam strip on diametrically opposed sides, and A first member including a slot extending therethrough, Wherein the grommet is configured to attach within the slot of the first component in any rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis.
16. 16. The fastening system of claim 15, wherein the slot of the first component is a non-circular slot.
17. 17. The fastening system of claim 15, wherein the fastening system further comprises a pin configured to slide through the channel of the body.
18. 18. The fastening system of claim 17, wherein the pin is removably attached to the grommet.
19. 19. The fastening system of claim 17, wherein the pin comprises a first circular flange and a second circular flange near a top end of the pin, and wherein a second component is configured to be secured between the first circular flange and the second circular flange.
20. 20. The fastening system of claim 15, wherein the outer cam strip is configured to flex inwardly toward the longitudinal axis during installation.

Description

Grommet ring Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/032,948, entitled "GROMMET [ grommet ]" (originally filed as U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/050,429, "request for conversion of provisional application to non-provisional application according to 37C.F.R. 3 (c)", filed on 25 months 2020), filed on 9/2020, claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/005,639 filed on 6/4/2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background 1. Technical field The present invention relates generally to fasteners and, more particularly, to a grommet that helps secure one or more components together, such as panels that are secured together in or around a vehicle during manufacture of the vehicle. 2. Background art Fasteners may be used to secure the components together. Grommet is a fastener that typically includes an annular or edge strip. The grommet is generally flared or neck-ring shaped on each side to hold the components in place and is typically made of metal, plastic or rubber. In some cases, grommets may be used to prevent tearing or abrasion of perforated material, cover sharp edges of perforations, protect insulation of wires, cables or lines routed therethrough, or secure components together. In an automotive environment, grommet fasteners may be used to securely connect a first panel to a second panel. Many known grommets are configured for use in circular holes. As such, many known grommets cannot be used in slots or non-circular holes. Further, many prior art grommets require proper orientation prior to attaching the grommet to the slot of the first panel and/or the second panel. Furthermore, many prior art grommets require high installation forces. Thus, there is a need for a grommet that can be used in a slot without the need to orient the grommet properly during installation. Further, a grommet with low installation force is needed. Disclosure of Invention In one aspect, a grommet includes a body defined by a longitudinal axis and having a channel therein. The grommet further includes a collar and an outer cam strip. The collar extends from the body and away from the longitudinal axis. The outer prongs extend circumferentially around the body. Openings extend through the body and the outer cam strip on diametrically opposed sides. The grommet is configured to attach within the slot of the component in any orientation. In some embodiments, the plurality of openings are aligned with each other on several opposite sides of the grommet. In further embodiments, the plurality of openings extend into the channel of the body. In other embodiments, the grommet includes four openings on each side of the body. In some embodiments, the outer cam strip includes an angled wall extending from the body. The angled wall extends radially outward from the body and longitudinally toward the collar. The outer cam strip further includes a top wall extending radially outwardly and downwardly from the body. In further embodiments, the outer cam strip includes a generally frustoconical shape, and the diameter of the outer cam strip increases as the outer cam strip extends upward toward the neck ring. In other embodiments, the plurality of openings extend along a longitudinal direction of the grommet. In another aspect, a grommet includes a body defined by a longitudinal axis and having an inner wall. The grommet further includes a collar and an outer cam strip. The collar extends from the body and away from the longitudinal axis. The outer cam strip extends circumferentially around the body, and the outer cam strip is configured to curve inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. The grommet also includes openings extending through the outer cam strip and the body on diametrically opposed sides. Each of the plurality of openings is aligned with one another on opposite sides of the body. The grommet is configured to attach within the non-circular slot of the component in any rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the body of the grommet includes windows on several opposite sides of the body in a diameter direction. The windows extend through the collar and body of the grommet. In further embodiments, each of the plurality of openings includes a top section and an elongated section. The top section is positioned longitudinally above the elongate section. The width of each top section is wider than the width of each elongated section. In other embodiments, the open top sections extend to the upper end of the grommet. In yet another aspect, a fastening system includes a grommet and a first component that includes a slot extending therethrough. The grommet includes a body, a neck ring, an outer cam strip, and a plurality of openings extending through the outer cam strip and the body on diametrically opposed sides. The body defines a longitudinal axis a