	US 7,465,137 B2
	Threaded fastener with retainer
Michael G. Dietz, Oxford, Mich. (US); Richard S. Brown, Brantford (Canada); Charles Earl Abbate, Clinton Township, Mich. (US); and Chris Fenech, Brownstown, Mich. (US)
Assigned to MNP Corporation, Utica, Mich. (US)
Filed on Jul. 11, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/484,821.
Prior Publication US 2008/0038086 A1, Feb. 14, 2008
Int. Cl. F16B 41/00 (2006.01); F16B 25/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 411—386 [411/301; 411/999]

6 Claims

1. A fastener assembly comprising:

a fastener element with a head section constructed to be engageable with a driving tool, a threaded shank section with threads having a pitch and an integrally formed distal end section;

said distal end section having a circumferential groove;

a retention device member secured to said distal end section;

said retention device member engageable to a fastener receiving member when said distal end section is inserted into a hole in said fastener receiving member;

said retention device engaging said circumferential groove in proximity to a proximate end of the retention device to be positively engaged onto said distal end section and being adheredly molded to the distal section;

said retention device having at least one outer extension flange with a base axially aligned over said groove section and said flange being angled radially outwardly and axially toward said head section;

said groove section extending axially beyond said flange in the direction of said head section; and

said retention device being sized to engage an inside wall of said hole in said fastener receiving member to provide insertion of said fastener assembly in said hole with a low entry force and to resist higher exiting forces.