Befestigungsvorrichtung.

摘要

The fastener assembly for securing a first panel member (12) to a second panel member (14) in a spaced-apart relationship comprises a tubular shank portion (22) having first and second end portions, a cavity being formed in the shank portion (22). A first spring member (30) is secured on the outside of the shank portion (22). The shank portion (22) has openings (26) near the first end thereof to enable steel ball members (28) to protrude therefrom. Inside the shank portion cavity is a stepped pin member (35) that is loaded by a second spring member (37) and held in place by the ball members (28). When the fastener (10) is pushed into an aperture (15) formed in the second panel member (14), the first spring member (30) is compressed back toward the first shank portion of the fastener (10) and moves away from the ball members (28) it normally forces inward. The ball members (28) remain in the retracted portion until the fastener (10) passes through the aperture (15) beyond the ball members (28). The second spring member (37), positioned behind the pin (35), then pushes the pin (35) forward and forces the ball members (28) to expand radially thus securing the fastener (10) to the second panel member (14). To remove the fastener (10), a tool (63) is inserted in a recess (49) formed in the pin member (35) and the pin member (35) is pushed axially toward the first end of said shank portion (22), compressing the second spring member (37) and allowing the ball members (28) to retract inwardly.