Fastening method and apparatus

摘要

A fastener includes a clamp arm which is connected with a base. The clamp arm cooperates with the base to form an entrance into which an article extends. A first locking tab extends from the base into a first opening in the article. A second locking tab extends from the clamp arm into a second opening in the article. When a withdrawal force is applied to the fastener, an arcuate portion of an inner side surface of the clamp arm moves from a position spaced from an outer side surface of the article to a position in which the arcuate portion of the inner side surface of the clamp arm is disposed in abutting engagement with the outer side surface of the article.

主权项

1. A method of connecting an article to a support, the method comprising:
interconnecting the article and the support by moving a portion of the article and a fastener in a first direction relative to the support through an opening in the support so that an arcuate portion of an inner side surface of a clamp arm of the fastener is spaced from an outer side surface of the portion of the article; providing the clamp arm with a first end portion connected with a base at a first end portion of the base and a second end portion spaced from a second end portion of the base and which cooperates with the second end portion of the base to form an entrance through which the portion of the article extends; inserting the portion of the article between the clamp arm and a base of the fastener prior to moving the portion of the article and the fastener in the first direction relative to the support through the opening in the support; extending a first locking tab of the base spaced from the first end portion of the base and disposed adjacent to the second end portion of the base toward the clamp arm and into a first opening in the portion of the article; extending a second locking tab of the clamp arm spaced from the second end portion of the clamp arm and disposed adjacent to the first end portion of the clamp arm toward the base into a second opening in the portion of the article; applying a withdrawal force to the article urging the article and the fastener to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the support; and resiliently deflecting the clamp arm of the fastener under the influence of the withdrawal force to move the arcuate portion of the inner side surface of the clamp arm from a position in which the arcuate portion of the inner side surface of the clamp arm is spaced from an outer side surface of the portion of the article to a position in which the arcuate portion of the inner side surface of the clamp arm is disposed in abutting engagement with the outer side surface of the portion of the article, which increases the withdrawal force needed to move the article in the second direction.