阅读说明：本技术 用于盲安装的紧固件组件 (Fastener assembly for blind installation ) 是由 乔尔·R·李 于 2021-04-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种紧固件组件包括销和主体。销包括插入主体的中心通道中的轴。主体包括凸缘、以及在远端处附接至鼻部的第一臂和第二臂。第一臂和第二臂中的每一个包括外部挠曲点、内部挠曲点和近端。第一臂被配置成绕第一近侧铰接部分移动。第二臂被配置成绕第二近侧铰接部分移动。第一支架从第一臂延伸,第二支架从第二臂延伸,并且第一支架和第二支架在第一臂与第二臂之间形成重叠区域。(A fastener assembly includes a pin and a body. The pin includes a shaft inserted into the central passage of the body. The body includes a flange, and first and second arms attached to the nose at distal ends. Each of the first and second arms includes an outer flexure point, an inner flexure point, and a proximal end. The first arm is configured to move about the first proximal hinge portion. The second arm is configured to move about the second proximal hinge portion. The first leg extends from the first arm, the second leg extends from the second arm, and the first leg and the second leg form an overlap region between the first arm and the second arm.)

1. A fastener assembly, comprising:

a pin having a shaft extending from a head of the pin; and

a body having a flange comprising a central channel, a first arm, a second arm, and a nose, wherein the shaft is configured to be inserted into the central channel, wherein the first arm and the second arm are joined at a distal end near the nose, and wherein each of the first arm and the second arm comprises an outer flex point, an inner flex point, and an arcuate bracket, the arcuate bracket of the first arm extending toward the second arm.

2. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the pin comprises a first notch, the body comprises a first rib, and the first notch is configured to receive the first rib.

3. The fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the first recess is disposed on a first recess wall adjacent to the first recess surface.

4. The fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the first rib is disposed within the central channel.

5. The fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the shaft of the pin includes a second notch, the body includes a second rib, and the second notch is configured to receive the second rib.

6. The fastener assembly of claim 5, wherein the second recess is disposed on a second recess wall adjacent to the second recess surface.

7. The fastener assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second ribs are disposed within the central channel.

8. The fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the shaft of the pin includes a first slot disposed closer to the head than the first notch, the first slot configured to receive the first rib of the body.

9. The fastener assembly of claim 6, wherein the shaft of the pin includes a second slot disposed closer to the head than the second recess, the second slot configured to receive a second rib.

10. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the pin and the body are integrally formed.

11. The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the pin is separated from the body prior to installation.

12. A fastener assembly, comprising:

a pin having a shaft;

a body having a nose; and

a face plate having an opening configured to receive the pin and the body,

wherein upon insertion of the fastener assembly into the opening and insertion of the pin into the central passage of the body, the pin and the nose move toward the panel, and

wherein the body includes a pair of alignment tabs that mate with a pair of groove walls on the shaft of the pin.

13. The fastener assembly of claim 12, wherein the pin comprises a shaft having a first notch on a first surface and a second notch on a second surface.

14. The fastener assembly of claim 13, wherein the body comprises: a flange, a first arm having a first bracket, and a second arm having a second bracket.

15. The fastener assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second notches are located adjacent the flange when the shaft of the pin is partially received within the central passage of the body.

16. The fastener assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second recesses are spaced apart from the flange when the shaft of the pin is fully received within the central passage of the body.

17. The fastener assembly of claim 12, wherein the pin and the body are integrally formed.

18. The fastener assembly of claim 12, wherein the pin has a head from which the shaft extends, the head having a lower surface configured to face the panel without contacting the panel.

19. The fastener assembly of claim 12, wherein the body defines a V-shaped region configured to at least partially receive the shaft.

20. A fastener assembly, comprising:

a pin having an axis extending away from a lower surface of the head; and

a body having a flange, a nose, a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are both coupled to the flange and the nose,

wherein the first arm is configured to move about a first hinge portion and the second arm is configured to move about a second hinge portion,

wherein a first bracket extends from the first arm and a second bracket extends from the second arm,

wherein the body includes a pair of ribs disposed within a central channel,

wherein the shaft includes a foot, a first surface, a second surface, a pair of notches, and a pair of grooves, and

wherein the pair of ribs are configured to fit within at least one of the pair of notches or the pair of grooves, and the first and second brackets are configured to engage the first and second surfaces of the shaft.

Technical Field

Examples of the present disclosure generally relate to a fastener assembly, and more particularly, to a fastener assembly capable of blind installation in a panel.

Background

In the field of manufacturing, fasteners are used to assemble parts. The fasteners typically extend through a panel having preformed apertures for receiving the fasteners. In addition, some fasteners extend through multiple panels that are stacked or arranged such that the apertures of each component must be aligned so that the fasteners can be accurately inserted through each aperture. However, aligning multiple apertures may require physical access to both the front and back sides of the panel, and may also require careful, time-consuming attention to achieve a tight alignment.

One solution provides a multi-part fastener assembly. However, this often requires tools throughout the assembly process, and may still require physical access to the front and back sides of the panel. In addition, multi-part fastener assemblies may include small parts that are easily lost and/or damaged. Another solution provides a single-piece fastener assembly. However, securing multiple panels often requires insertion through multiple loosely aligned apertures, and may further require high clamping forces to achieve proper fit. Still further, such single-piece fastener assemblies typically cannot be removed for repair or reuse. These challenges can result in component damage, excessive manual labor, and/or increased costs.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a fastener assembly includes a pin and a body. The pin includes a shaft inserted into the central passage of the body. The body includes a flange, and first and second arms attached to the nose at distal ends. Each of the first and second arms includes an outer flexure point, an inner flexure point, and a proximal end. The first arm is configured to move about the first proximal hinge portion. The second arm is configured to move about the second proximal hinge portion. The first leg extends from the first arm, the second leg extends from the second arm, and the first leg and the second leg form an overlap region between the first arm and the second arm.

In one example, the body further includes a first rib and a second rib disposed within the central channel, and the pin includes a first notch and a second notch disposed along the axis. The first and second recesses are configured to receive the first and second ribs in a shipping configuration. The shaft further includes a first slot and a second slot configured to receive the first rib and the second rib in the installed configuration. In some examples, the flange of the body includes: an upper surface having an upper thin section; a lower surface having a lower thin section; and an aperture formed through the flange. A gap is defined between the bottom surface of the head and the upper thin section of the flange.

In some examples, a fastener assembly includes: a pin having a shaft extending from a head of the pin; and a body having a flange including a central passage, a first arm, a second arm, and a nose. The shaft is configured to be inserted into the central passage, wherein the first and second arms are joined at a distal end near the nose, and wherein each of the first and second arms includes an outer flex point, an inner flex point, and an arcuate bracket that extends toward the second arm.

For example, the shaft of the pin includes a first notch, the body includes a first rib, and the first notch is configured to receive the first rib. The first recess is disposed on a first groove wall adjacent the first groove surface. The first rib is disposed within the central channel. The shaft of the pin includes a second notch, the body includes a second rib, and the second notch is configured to receive the second rib. The second recess is disposed on a second groove wall adjacent the second groove surface. The first rib and the second rib are disposed within the central channel. The shaft of the pin includes a first slot disposed closer to the head than the first recess, the first slot configured to receive the first rib of the body. The shaft of the pin includes a second slot disposed closer to the head than the second recess, the second slot configured to receive the second rib. The pin and the body are integrally formed. The pin is separated from the body prior to installation.

In some examples, a fastener assembly includes: a pin having a shaft; a body having a nose; and a panel having an opening configured to receive the pin and the body. The pin and nose move toward the panel as the fastener assembly is inserted into the opening and the pin is inserted into the central passage of the body, and the body includes a pair of alignment tabs that mate with a pair of groove walls on the shaft of the pin. The pin includes a shaft having a first notch on a first surface and a second notch on a second surface. The body includes a flange, a first arm having a first bracket, and a second arm having a second bracket.

The first and second recesses are located adjacent the flange when the shaft of the pin is partially received within the central passage of the body. The first and second recesses are spaced apart from the flange when the shaft of the pin is fully received within the central passage of the body. The pin and the body are integrally formed.

The pin has a head from which the shaft extends, the head having a lower surface configured to face the panel without contacting the panel. The body defines a V-shaped region configured to at least partially receive the shaft.

In some examples, a fastener assembly includes: a pin having an axis extending away from a lower surface of the head; and a body having a flange, a nose, a first arm, and a second arm. Both the first arm and the second arm are coupled to the flange and the nose. The first arm is configured to move about the first proximal hinge portion and the second arm is configured to move about the second proximal hinge portion. A first bracket extends from the first arm and a second bracket extends from the second arm. The body includes a pair of ribs disposed within the central channel. The shaft includes a foot, a first surface, a second surface, a pair of notches, and a pair of grooves. The pair of ribs is configured to fit within at least one of the pair of notches or the pair of slots, and the first and second brackets are configured to engage the first and second surfaces of the shaft.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a right, front, and top view of an exemplary fastener assembly;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of left, rear and bottom views of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a right side elevational view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1, showing the fastener in a molded configuration;

FIG. 5B is a right side elevational view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1, showing the fastener in a shipping configuration;

FIG. 5C is a right side elevational view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1, showing the fastener assembly in an installed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5C; and

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1, showing the fastener in an installed configuration.

Detailed Description

Examples of the present disclosure provide a fastener assembly including a pin engaging a body. The pin includes a shaft having a notch and a slot disposed therealong. The body includes a flange and first and second extension arms coupled to one another at a nose. Each of the first and second extension arms includes an outer flex point, an inner flex point, and a brace. The flange of the body includes a central aperture having a pair of ribs disposed therein. The notch of the pin is configured to receive the pair of ribs when the fastener assembly is in the shipping configuration, and the slot is configured to receive the pair of ribs when the fastener assembly is in the installed configuration. The shaft of the pin further includes a first recessed surface and a second recessed surface configured to receive the bracket of the first arm and the bracket of the second arm, respectively, when the fastener assembly is in the installed configuration. The outer and inner flex points of each arm provide controlled collapse that prevents undesirable wear on the body and thus promotes continued use, reuse, replacement, and extended service life.

In some examples, the pin and the body are integrally formed as a unitary component. For example, the pin and body may be manufactured by a single molding process. The shaft of the pin includes a molded tab connected to the flange of the body. The molding tabs can provide a path for material to flow during the molding process. The molded tabs may also secure the pins to the body prior to shipping, which may simplify the manufacturing and shipping processes, thus reducing associated costs.

In some examples, the pin and body can be installed by hand force only, e.g., without tools or machinery. For example, the fastener assembly may be inserted by hand through one or more apertures in one or more panels, and a pin may be fully mounted within the body by hand to provide a rigid clamping force for securing the one or more panels together and for securing the fastener assembly to the one or more panels. During and after the process of mounting the pin within the body, the pin and the body interact with each other in a manner that provides tactile feedback to the user's hand so that the user can feel when the pin and the body have reached the mounted position.

In some examples, the bracket of each of the first and second arms of the body further includes an alignment tab that engages a groove wall disposed along the axis of the pin. The alignment tabs and groove walls cooperate to prevent misalignment during installation of the fastener assembly, and further prevent misalignment or separation of the pin from the body after installation and in use (e.g., misalignment or separation of the pin from the body by any external forces or vibrations that may be experienced).

FIG. 1 illustrates a fastener assembly 100 according to one example of the present disclosure. The fastener assembly includes a pin 102 and a body 104. The pin 102 includes a head 110 and a shaft 112, the shaft 112 extending away from a bottom surface 114 (see fig. 2). The head 110 includes a top surface 116, the top surface 116 being configured to be pressed, pushed, or otherwise engaged by a user (such as by a user's hand), a tool, or the like. The head 110 also includes an edge 118 between the top surface 116 and the bottom surface 114. In this example, the head 110 is disc-shaped or cylindrical; however, in other examples, the head 110 may be any shape, such as rectangular, square, triangular, and the like. As illustrated in fig. 2, the axis 112 extends away from the bottom surface 114 in a substantially orthogonal direction; however, in other examples, the shaft 112 may extend away from the bottom surface 114 at a different angle. Further, the shaft 112 extends away from the center of the bottom surface 114; however, in some examples, the shaft 112 may extend from an off-center position of one or more portions of the bottom surface 114 closer to the edge 118, or the shaft 112 may extend from a portion of the edge 118 rather than a portion of the bottom surface 114.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the shaft 112 includes right and top sidewalls 120, 122, and bottom and left sidewalls 124, 126. The right sidewall 120 includes an axial channel 128 formed thereon and extending between the bottom surface 114 of the head 110 and a foot 130 of the shaft 112. A planar foot surface 132 is located at the foot 130 of the shaft 112. As depicted in fig. 1, a molded tab 134 extends from foot surface 132 near right sidewall 120. It is contemplated that molded tabs 134 may extend from different surfaces of pin 102. The top sidewall 122 includes a first recessed surface 140, the first recessed surface 140 being at least partially defined by a step 142 and a groove wall 144. Groove wall 144 has a first notch 146 formed in groove wall 144 at a location closer to foot 130 than step 142. First recess 146 has a curved shape with a depth of about half the height of recess wall 144, as further shown in fig. 3.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, the left sidewall 126 includes an axial channel 150 formed thereon and extending between the bottom surface 114 of the head 110 and the foot 130 of the shaft 112. The bottom sidewall 124 includes a second recessed surface 152, the second recessed surface 152 being at least partially defined by a step 154 and a groove wall 156. Groove wall 156 has a second notch 158 formed in groove wall 156 at a position closer to foot 130 than step 154. Further, a first groove (or slot) 162 and a second groove 164 are formed on the top side wall 122 and the bottom side wall 124, respectively, at positions closer to the head 110 than the foot 130. As illustrated in fig. 3, the first and second slots 162, 164 are disposed at a similar distance from the head 110.

Still referring to fig. 1 and 2, the body 104 includes a flange 180, the flange 180 having an upper surface 182 and a lower surface 184 with a peripheral edge 186 formed therebetween. An aperture 188 is formed through flange 180 and communicates with a central passage 190. An upper thin section 192 is formed on the upper surface 182 and is at least partially defined by rail walls 194 extending parallel to one another between the peripheral edge 186 and the aperture 188. Thus, the upper thin section 192 extends between the aperture 188 and the peripheral edge 186, and more specifically, between the aperture 188 and the straight edge 196 of the peripheral edge 186. As such, the upper thin section 192 has a generally rectangular shape. However, the peripheral edge 186 is curved between the upper thin section 192 and the lower thin section 200. On the other hand, the flange 180 may have any shape, such as rectangular, square, triangular, etc. The lower thin section 200 is formed on the lower surface 184 and is at least partially defined by rail walls 202 that extend parallel to each other between the peripheral edge 186 and the central channel 190. Thus, the lower thin section 200 extends between the central channel 190 and the peripheral edge 186, and more specifically, between the central channel 190 and the straight edge 204 of the peripheral edge 186. As such, the lower thin section 200 has a generally rectangular shape.

Referring to fig. 1-4, the body 104 further includes a first arm 206, a second arm 208, and a nose 210. Both the first arm 206 and the second arm 208 extend between a distal end 212 near the nose 210 and a proximal end 214 near the lower surface 184 of the flange 180. The first arm 206 includes an outer flexure point 220, such as a living hinge, located at a discontinuity 222 in an outer surface 224 of the first arm 206. The outer flex points 220 are defined by hinge portions 226, the hinge portions 226 being disposed between and interconnecting the angled portions 228. Further, the first arm 206 includes an inner flex point 230, such as a living hinge, located at a discontinuity 232 in an inner surface 234 of the first arm 206. The inner deflection point 230 is defined by hinge portions 236, the hinge portions 236 being disposed between and interconnecting the angled portions 238. A first brace 240 extends from the inner surface 234 adjacent the inner flexure point 230. Voids 242 are formed in outer surface 224 at locations that correspond to or align with the locations of first standoffs 240 on inner surface 234. The first bracket 240 is hook-shaped and includes an inner side 244, an outer side 246, a head 248, and a free end 250.

With continued reference to fig. 1-4, the second arm 208 includes an outer flex point 260, such as a living hinge, located at a break 262 in an outer surface 264 of the second arm 208. The outer flex point 260 is defined by hinge portions 266 disposed between the angled portions 268 and interconnecting the angled portions 268. Further, the second arm 208 includes an inner flex point 270, such as a living hinge, located at a discontinuity 272 in an inner surface 274 of the second arm 208. The inner flex point 270 is defined by hinge portions 276, the hinge portions 276 being disposed between and interconnecting the angled portions 278. A second leg 280 extends from the inner surface 274 adjacent the inner flex point 270. Voids 282 are formed in the outer surface 264 at locations that correspond to or align with the locations of the second leg 280 on the inner surface 274. The second leg 280 is hook-shaped and includes an inner side 284, an outer side 286, a tip 288, and a free end 290.

As illustrated in fig. 3, the first arm 206 includes a first proximal hinge portion 300, such as a living hinge, located near the proximal end 214. The first proximal hinge portion 300 couples the proximal end 214 of the first arm 206 with the first extension wall 302. Similarly, the second arm 208 includes a second proximal hinge portion 304, such as a living hinge, located near the proximal end 214. A second proximal hinge portion 304 couples the proximal end 214 of the second arm 208 with a second extension wall 306. The thickness of the first and second extension walls 302, 306 is less than the thickness of the first and second arms 206, 208, and the proximal end 214 of each of the first and second arms 206, 208 is curved. Thus, the curved shape of the proximal end 214 cooperates with the reduced thickness of the first and second extending walls 302, 306 to facilitate rotation about the first and second proximal hinge portions 300, 304, respectively.

Still referring to fig. 3, the first and second notches 146 and 158 and the first and second slots 162 and 164 have similar depth and width dimensions. The first and second slots 162, 164 are configured to receive the first and second ribs 310, 312 of the body 104 in the installed configuration, as shown in fig. 5C. The first and second ribs 310, 312 are disposed along the central channel walls 320, 326, the central channel walls 320, 326 defining the central channel 190 below the aperture 188 formed through the flange 180. The first and second ribs 310, 312 are configured to fit within the first and second grooves 162, 164 in a manner that resists vibration, displacement, and other external forces, particularly those associated with forces applied in the vehicle. The inner side 244 of the first bracket 240 can be appreciated from fig. 3, the first bracket 240 is shaped as an arcuate member with a free end 250 and a tip 248 disposed adjacent the first extension wall 302. Similarly, the lateral side 286 of the second leg 280 may be appreciated from FIG. 3, the second leg 280 being shaped as an arcuate member with a free end 290 and a tip 288 disposed adjacent the second extension wall 306.

Referring to fig. 4, the outer side 246, the head 248 and the free end 250 of the first leg 240 are shown, and the inner side 284 of the second leg 280 is seen. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first bracket 240 and the second bracket 280 are mirror images of each other in shape and form an overlap area 322 between the first arm 206 and the second arm 208. Additionally, a V-shaped region 324 is formed between first arm 206 and second arm 208, and more specifically between inner surfaces 234, 274 thereof. The outer flexure points 220, 260 and inner flexure points 230, 270 are outlined from which the thickness of the hinge portions 226, 236, 266, 276 relative to the thickness of the first and second arms 206, 208 can be appreciated.

As can be appreciated from fig. 1-4, the length of the first and second arms 206, 208 is greater than the length of the shaft. Thus, the body 104 may first insert the nose 210 through an opening in a panel or a plurality of aligned openings in a stacked panel, for example. Further, due to the long, slender shape of the first and second arms 206, 208, and because they are joined together at the distal end 212 near the nose 210, the fastener assembly can be inserted through a blind opening (i.e., an opening that is not visible to the user during insertion). An example of the insertion and assembly process is depicted below in fig. 5A-5C.

Referring now to fig. 5A, the fastener assembly 100 is shown in a molded configuration or state such that the molded tab 134 of the shaft 112 remains intact, thereby attaching the pin 102 to the body 104. In some examples, the pin 102 and the body 104 are formed simultaneously by a single cycle molding process, and the molding tab 134 is formed during the molding process to allow material in a liquid state to flow through the mold cavity during the molding process. In this manner, the pin 102 and the body 104 may be formed simultaneously from the same material (e.g., a plastic material). In some examples, the pin 102 and the body 104 may be formed using various other suitable molding processes (e.g., additive manufacturing, thermoforming, etc.). In some examples, the pin 102 and the body 104 may be manufactured separately and subsequently joined together.

Referring to fig. 5B, the fastener assembly 100 is illustrated in a shipping configuration such that the molded tab 134 is separated from the upper surface 182 of the flange 180 or sheared off of the upper surface 182. The foot 130 of the shaft is inserted through the aperture 188 and into the central channel 190 of the body 104 to engage the first and second notches 146, 158 with the first and second ribs 310, 312. The first and second ribs 310, 312 fit in the first and second notches 146, 158 in a manner that resists any external forces caused by transportation. Thus, prior to installation or insertion in the panel 350 (as illustrated by the dashed lines in fig. 5C and 6), the shaft 112, and thus the pin 102, is captured by the body 104. Thus, the fastener assembly 100 undergoes a division between the molded configuration and the shipping configuration prior to installation such that the pin 102 and the body 104 are no longer one integral component. In the transport configuration, the first bracket 240 and the second bracket 280 maintain the overlap region 322, and the free ends 250, 290 are on opposite sides of the central channel 190, respectively, such that the free end 250 is on the same side of the central channel 190 as the second arm 208, the free end 290 is on the same side of the central channel 190 as the first arm 206, and both of the free ends 250, 290 are closer to the lower surface 184 of the flange 180 than the inner flexure points 230, 270.

Referring to fig. 5C, the fastener assembly 100 is illustrated in an installed configuration. When installed, the nose 210 of the body 104 is threaded or inserted through the opening of the panel 350. The shape (e.g., length and elongated profile) of the body 104 facilitates insertion of the body 104 (and in particular the first and second arms 206, 208 and the nose 210) into a blind opening, or an opening that is not visible from the vantage point of the user, or multiple openings that are stacked together. The user inserts the body 104 into such opening(s) and, after the lower surface 184 of the flange 180 contacts the faceplate 350, the user presses or pushes on the top surface 116 of the head 110 to force the shaft 112 through the central passage 190 of the body 104. In this manner, the first and second ribs 310, 312 are displaced from their engagement within the first and second notches 146, 158 and the pin 102 continues to move axially toward the flange 180 of the body 104. The displacement of the first and second ribs 310, 312 from the first and second notches 146, 158 may provide a perceptible sensation or sound to the user.

During insertion, the foot surface 132 of the shaft 112 pushes the free ends 250, 290 of the first bracket 240 and the second bracket 280. As a result, the first and second brackets 240, 280 move (e.g., rotate) about the first and second proximal hinge portions 300, 304 and the arms flex or bend about their outer and inner flex points 220, 260, 230, 270. In this manner, each of the first and second brackets 240, 280 are moved away from each other, thereby eliminating the area of the overlap area 322. In the installed configuration, the free ends 250, 290 are each moved to opposite sides of the central channel 190 such that the free end 250 is located on the same side of the central channel 190 as the first arm 206, the free end 290 is located on the same side of the central channel 190 as the second arm 208, and both of the free ends 250, 290 are farther from the lower surface 184 of the flange 180 than the inner deflection points 230, 270. Thus, the V-shaped region 324 widens and the nose 210 moves closer to the foot surface 132 and also closer to the panel 350 while remaining spaced apart therefrom. In this manner, the body 104 collapses in length, thus reducing the occupied volume after installation. Finally, after the shaft 112 is fully inserted into the body 104, the first and second ribs 310, 312 fit within the first and second grooves 162, 164 on the shaft 112, thereby providing a perceptible sensation or sound (e.g., tactile feedback) to the user indicating that the installed position has been reached.

Referring to fig. 6, first standoff 240 engages first groove wall 144 and second standoff 280 engages second groove wall 156, such as in a sliding relationship during insertion of pin 102 into body 104, thereby experiencing frictional resistance facilitated by the compressive force exerted therebetween. During insertion, and after reaching the fully installed configuration, the tip 248 of the first leg 240 extends toward the first recessed surface 140 of the shaft and the tip 288 of the second leg 280 extends toward the second recessed surface 152 of the shaft 112. In this manner, head 248 of first leg 240 and head 288 of second leg 280 facilitate alignment during installation by cooperating with first groove wall 144 and second groove wall 156, respectively. Further, the first bracket 240 and the second bracket 280 securely lock the main body 104 to the pin 102, thereby preventing or resisting loosening of the pin 102 from the main body 104 in the reverse progression of the above-described configuration, and further preventing misalignment in multiple directions, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, lateral forces, and the like.

In the installed configuration, as depicted in fig. 5C and 6, a clamping force is created between the pin 102 and the body 104 such that the panel 350 can be secured by the fastener assembly 100. In particular, a clamping force is formed between the lower surface 184 of the head 110 and the outer surfaces 224, 264 of the first and second arms 206, 208, respectively. The clamping force is a result of the shaft 112 being inserted into the body 104. During insertion, foot surface 132 of shaft 112 causes first and second brackets 240, 280 to move (e.g., rotate) about first and second proximal hinge portions 300, 304, respectively. As described herein, this movement causes the first and second arms 206, 208 to flex about the outer and inner flexure points 220, 260, 230, 270. In this manner, the first and second arms 206, 208 undergo controlled collapsing or local bending movement about the outer and inner flexure points 220, 260, 230, 270, which prevents unnecessary and undesirable wear on the body 104. Due to the combination of the movements about the first and second proximal hinge portions 300, 304, the inner flexure points 230, 270 and the outer flexure points 220, 260, the first clamping portion 328 of the first arm 206 and the second clamping portion 330 of the second arm 208 exert a force, i.e., a portion of the total clamping force, on the panel 350. In some examples, the first arm 206 and the second arm 208 may include textured surfaces along them. For example, the first clamping portion 328 and the second clamping portion 330 may include textural features (e.g., knurls, ribs, dots, etc.) that may increase frictional resistance with the panel 350.

Referring to fig. 7, a gap 340 is defined between the bottom surface of the head 110 and the upper thin section 192 defined by the straight edge 196 of the peripheral edge 186 and the track wall 194. A user may insert a tool (e.g., a flat head screwdriver) into gap 340 to pry pin 102 out of body 104. In this manner, the fastener assembly 100 can be removed or disassembled after installation and subsequently repaired or replaced. After removing the pin 102 from the body 104, the fastener assembly is configured to be reinstalled elsewhere. For example, the right and left side walls 120, 126 of the shaft 112 are provided without any laterally disposed notches or grooves that may engage the ribs 310, 312, and the axial channels 128, 150 of the shaft 112 are sized and shaped to prevent insertion of the tips 248, 288 of the first and second brackets 240, 280, thereby causing misalignment that may be noticed and corrected by a user.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure may be described using various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, medial, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front, and the like, it is understood that such terms are used solely with respect to the orientations shown in the figures. These orientations may be reversed, rotated, or otherwise changed such that the upper portion is the lower portion and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and so forth.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the examples disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative examples to the extent permitted by the prior art.