Field of Invention

This invention relates to adhesively secured fasteners, such as fasteners which may be adhesively 5 secured to a substrate and thereafter utilized to secure another part or parts to the substrate.

Cross-Reference to Related Cases

This case is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application, serial number 07/086,363 filed August 17, _Q 1987 which is a division of application, serial number

800,555 filed November 21, 1985 now U.S. Patent No. 4,693,652 dated September 15, 1987 which was a continuation of U.S. application, serial number 472,084 filed March 4, 1983, now U.S. Patent 4,555,206 dated 5 November 26, 1985 which was a division of U.S. application, serial number 234,777 filed February 11, 1981, now U.S. Patent No. 4,425,065 which was a division of U.S. application, serial number 936,331 filed August 24, 1978 now abandoned, all of which are hereby

20 incorporated by reference.

Background of the invention t

With the advent of quick setting adhesives, such as adhesives which will cure from a liquid to a solid phase in but a few seconds, increasing attention has been 25 given to utilization of such adhesives in the automotive industry for the attachment of trim or other components to automobile bodies. In a production environment where the

SUBSTITUTESHEET

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11 body is moving on a conveyor line, and the parts to be * secured are brought to the moving body and but a few

■ _j -3 moments are available for securing the parts to the body, _j _ a problem has arisen as to how to hold the fasteners to the parts or the automobile body, as the case may be, £ while the quick setting adhesive goes from its liquid

■J_ phase to its solid phase, i.e., changes state sufficiently

1 _Q . so that a fastener will be retained.

■ 9 Heretofore it has been common practice to secure _Q parts together using adhesives by clamping them for a

2 sufficient length of time that the adhesive could cure or

22 _m set. On large or irregularly shaped automotive body 3 panel, clamping the fasteners thereagainst involves a

24 cumbersome inefficient production step best avoided.

25 While fasteners may be temporally secured to the substrate 2g by piercing the substrate and having a portion of the 27 fastener extend through the resulting hole to temporarily

28 lock the fastener to the substrate while adhesive thereon 29 sets, such as shown in the above mentioned related cases, 3Q the resulting perforations of the substrate create serious

_T J corrosion and other problems. Accordingly, it is desirable

22 ^to •* ^oe able to avoid the necessity of clamping fasteners

₂₃ against a body panel without resort to external devices

₂₄ and yet not effect the clamping by virtue of piercing the 3*5 panel.

J _Q Another problem confronting the fastener designs

37 is the retention of the adhesive in a non-reactive state 38 within or on the fastener and providing some way that the _j g. adhesive can be suddenly made reactive and be deposited at _Q the point of intended use.

41 42 43 44

Summary of the Invention

We have disclosed a fastener utilizing a quick setting adhesive which may be temporarily fixed against a substrate without piercing the same and without the necessity of extraneous clamps to hold the fastener against the substrate while the adhesive sets. We accomplish this by providing the fastener with a vacuum cup. The fastener is also provided with an adhesive reservoir containing the quick setting adhesive. In use, the fastener is pressed against the substrate to flatten the vacuum cup and temporary affix the fastener to the substrate. Simultaneously, the adhesive reservoir is actuated to expel adhesive therefrom into the interface between the fastener body and the substrate. Upon setting of the adhesive, the fastener is securely and permanently attached to the substrate.

The construction of the fastener is such that the adhesive is contained within an adhesive reservoir within the fastener so that the fastener may be handled without contaminating the workman or the apparatus prior to actual use of the fastener. Two similar yet different approaches to the design of a fastener embodying the invention is disclosed.

The fastener body which is to be adhesively secured to a substrate is formed of a material to which the adhesive will adhere, while the reservoir and means for controlling egress of adhesive therefrom is formed of a material to which the adhesive either will not adhere or will not cause the adhesive to set up while stored therein or in contact therewith.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the fastener;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the fastener applied to a substrate with the vacuum cup flattened thereagainst.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a fastener incorporating the invention;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a female fastener element for use with the fastener shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the fastener element of Fig. 7 taken on the line 8-8;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 6 showing the fastener flattened against a substrate; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the fastener element of Figs. 7 and 8 attached to the fastener shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and retaining a part to the substrate.

Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiments

04 05 06 07 Q8 σ&

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The invention herein disclosed is shown in two

II embodiments, the first being shown in Figs. 1-4 inclusive

12 and the second in Figs. 5, 6 and 9-11. These two

13 embodiments are generally similar though they differ

14 somewhat in design and construction. The embodiment shown

15 in Figs. 1-4 inclusive will be described first and

16 comprises a vacuum fixed adhesively secured fastener 20

17 for attachment to a substrate 22. The fastener includes a

18 body member 24 having a vacuum cup 26 thereon for

19 flattening against the substrate 22 to temporarily hold

20 the body member thereto. As best shown in Fig. 4, the

21 vacuum cup 26 and the substrate 22 define therebetween an

22 interface 28 into which a quick setting adhesive 30 is

23 inserted, as hereinafter described, for permanently

24 securing the body member to the substrate.

25

The body member 24 contains a reservoir 32 for

26 holding a quick setting adhesive 30a as best shown in Fig.

27 2. In this embodiment the reservoir is defined by a

28 chamber member 38 of generally cylindrical configuration

29 closed by an end wall 40 and provided with an encircling

30 cylindrical side wall 42. The chamber is a press fit

31 within a cylindrical recess or pocket 33 in the body

32 member. The end of the chamber opposite wall 40 is open

33 as at 41 adjacent the interior of the vacuum cup. Such

34 end of the chamber is closed by a wall portion 44 which is

35 displaceable inwardly of the chamber as hereinafter

36 described.

37

The inwardly displaceable wall 44 in the

38 embodiment of Figs. 1-4 comprises a plunger member 45

39 having a circumferential land 46 which in a first position

40 of the plunger shown in Fig. 2 blocks egress of the

41 adhesive 30a from the chamber 38. The plunger is

42

43

44

45

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ll provided, as best shown in Fig. 2 and 3, with one or more

12 adhesive exit passages 48 (12 such being shown in Fig. 3) .

13 _. Such passages serve to permit egress of the adhesive 30a

14 within the chamber 38 upon displacement of the plunger

15 from the first position shown in Fig. 2 to a second

16 position shown in Fig. 4. When the land 46 passes through the opening 41 the passages 48 are then exposed to the

18 adhesive 30a within the chamber and the pressure created

1 on the adhesive.as the plunger is moved thereagainst

20 causes the adhesive to be expelled along the passages 48 2i into the interface 28 between the vacuum cup and the

22 substrate 22.

23 In the form shown, the chamber 38 is provided

24 with a beveled surface 50 surrounding its open end. The

25 entrance 52 to the pocket 33 in the fastener body 24 is 2_ _Q also tapered to match th taper 50. The chamber 38 with

2 its plunger 45 inserted therein such that the land 46

28 locks the escape of adhesive 30a is pressed into the

2 pocket 33 in the body member to the position shown in Fig. 3 _Q 2 at which the tapers 50 and 52 will cooperate to retain 2 the chamber within the body member.

32 T e fastener body 24 should be fabricated from a

33 resilient plastic to permit the expansion of the body

34 member adjacent the opening 52 to permit longitudinal

35 introduction of the chamber 38 thereinto and the 3g* consequent clamping by the body at its taper 52 against 7 the corresponding taper 50 of the chamber 38. In 8 addition, if the body member and vacuum cup are to be made

3 of the same material, the plastic material of which the

40 body member is formed should be sufficiently resilient as to provide for the vacuum cup 26 which must be capable of

42 flattening against the substrate 22 from the position

43 44

04

05

06

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08

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ID shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4. The body member

11 24 may be formed of a vinyl plastic having a hardness of

12 Shore A75 plus or minus 2. The plastic selected must be

13 of the type to which the adhesive will adhere when allowed

14 to come into contact therewith. Other suitable plastic

15 may also be used.

16

The plunger 45 and chamber 38 on the other hand

17 should be formed of polypropylene, or any other plastic to 8 which the adhesive will either not adhere or will not 9 cause the adhesive to begin to set up. Thus the material 0 of the reservoir and plunger will be different than the 1 material of the fastener body, and the adhesive is 2 effectively isolated from the fastener body until the 3 adhesive is expelled from the container into contact with 4 the fastener body. 5

To insure uniform distribution of the adhesive 6 as it moves from the reservoir into the interface 28, 7 distributing means are provided comprising a plurality of 8 grooves 56 formed on the underside of the vacuum cup and 9 extending from a point adjacent the opening at the end of 0 the chamber opposite the wall 40 to a point substantially 1 2/3 of the length of the vacuum cup skirt. The length and 2 number of these grooves may be varied in accordance with 3 the designer's requirement. The grooves serve to provide 4 adhesive flow passageways in the interface when the vacuum 5 cup is flattened against the substrate 22 so that the 6 adhesive is substantially uniformly delivered throughout 7 the interface. 8

The adhesive is expelled from the adhesive 9 reservoir by virtue of the end 58 of the plunger butting 0 the substrate 22 as the fastener body 24 is urged toward 1 the substrate to flatten the vacuum cup 26. In the 2 3 4 5

embodiment shown there is sufficient resilience in the chamber 38 and body member 24 and/or sufficient air space within the chamber above adhesive 30a so that the plunger may be displaced into the chamber sufficiently to expose the upper ends of the passages 48 to the adhesive. Once the passages 48 are exposed to the adhesive, the same is expelled along the passages and into the interface as aforesaid during continued flattening of the vacuum cup until the parts have reached the. position shown in Fig. 4 where the plunger is fully inserted into the chamber and the adhesive has been substantially completely expelled and is disposed within the passages 48, the grooves 56 and spread throughout the interface 28.

The body member 24 may desirably be shaped to facilitate securement of a part to be fastened to the substrate. As one design, though any number may occur to the fastener designer, the body member may be provided with a head having a tapered surface 60 which expands radially from the top wall 62 to an undercut shoulder 64. The shoulder 64 spaced above the vacuum cup 26 to provide a generally cylindrical area 66. A complimentary female fastener element 68 (see Figs. 7 and 8) is intended to be snapped down over the head 60 to result in a coupling similar to that shown in Fig. 11. The female element is generally hat-shaped having a brim portion 70 intended to surround the adhesively secured fastener and abut the part 72 to be held against the substrate 22.' The brim 70 is a continuous annulus having a crown portion 74 terminating in an internal lip 76. The lip has a catch surface 78 and a camming wedge surface 80. The crown 74 is desirably slit such as at the four kerfs 82, 84, 86 and 88 which extend from adjacent the brim 70 across the wall thickness

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10 of the crown 74. The female element 68 may be formed of

II any suitable plastic such as a polycarbonate or the like.

12

The female element 68 is snapped over the

13 fastener body 24 by pressing the female element down over

14 the head. The camming wedge surface 80 will engage the

15 sloping surface of the body member and cause the crown 74

16 to spread at the kerfs 82, 84, 86 and 88 until the lip 76 7 snaps beneath the shoulder 64 locking the female element 8 on the head of the fastener body. The brim 70 will bear 9 against the part 72 securing it to the substrate. In the 0 embodiment illustrate in Fig. 11 which is representative 1 of an application for the invention herein disclosed, an 2 insulating matt or the like may represent the part 72 3 secured to the substrate. 4

In the second embodiment shown in Figs. 5, 6, 9- 5 11, the fastener body 24' is provided with a vacuum cup 6 26*. The body 24' has an internal through aperture 100 7 opening from the top 102 into the vacuum cup interior at 8 the opposite end. Within the opening 100 is disposed an 9 adhesive reservoir having a displaceable wall. The 0 adhesive reservoir in the illustrated embodiment comprises 1 a cup-shaped chamber 104 closed at one end and open at the 2 opposite end within which is slideably received a plunger 3 106 comprising the displaceable wall of the reservoir 4 above mentioned. The chamber 104 ^' is provided adjacent its 5 closed end with side opening apertures 108. The chamber 6 is longitudinally shiftable in the body member 24 ' between 7 a first position shown in Fig. 6 and a second position 8 shown in Fig. 10. In the Fig. 6 position the side opening 9 ports 108 are blocked by the encircling wall of the body 0 member 24' while in the position shown in Fig. 10 the 1 ports are unblocked so that adhesive in the chamber 104 2 3 4 5

(14 05

10 06 or αa

09* LQ may be expelled into the vacuum cup and specifically the LI interface between the vacuum cup and the substrate 22 as 12 shown at 30'. 13 In use, the adhesive 30a* is trapped within the 14 chamber 104 so as not to contaminate the workman or the 15 parts. When it is desired to apply the fastener to a 16 substrate, tiie vacuum cup 26' is placed against the 17 substrate and the plunger 106 is depressed urging it into 18 the chamber 104. This pressurizes the adhesive within the 19 chamber and causes the chamber itself to be displaced 20 toward the substrate. During such displacement, the 21 vacuum cup is flattened against the substrate and at the 22 same time the adhesive 30a ¹ is expelled through the ports 23 108 and into the interface between the vacuum cup and the 24 substrate. While not shown in this second embodiment, 25 grooves similar to the grooves 56 shown in the first -~~~ embodiment may be provided in the underside of the vacuum

²⁷ cup's skirt to facilitate distribution of the adhesive

²⁸ throughout the interface. It is will be noted

²⁹ particularly in Fig. 10 that the body member 24* has an

³⁰ enlarged counterbore portion 110 which surrounds the open

³ inner end of the through aperture 100 thereby facilitating ²² expulsion of the adhesive from the reservoir.

33 The body member 24' may be provided with a head 34 60' generally similar to that of the first embodiment for ²⁵ cooperation with a female fastener such as element 68

36 shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

³⁷ By way of example, but not by way of limitation,

³⁸ if the adhesive to be used is an anaerobic, 3M Scotch-Grip ³ ^ #2353 manufactured by Minnesota Mining Manufacturer may ⁰ be used. If the adhesive is a cyanoacrylate, Loctite 414,

⁴¹ manufactured by Loctite Corporation, Newington, 42

43 44

Connecticut may be used. If an epoxy resin is desired, Goodrich E 2102B, E2101A or E2101B manufactured by B.V. Goodrich Chemical Co., Cleveland, Ohio. A suitable urethane adhesive may be purchased from UPACO, Adhesive, Inc. 3 E. Spitbrook Road, Nashua, New Hampshire.